diff --git a/.integration/Cargo.toml b/.integration/Cargo.toml
index 8cb3dd6cd1..7f55636505 100644
--- a/.integration/Cargo.toml
+++ b/.integration/Cargo.toml
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ path = "../node/ledger"
 
 [dev-dependencies.snarkvm]
 workspace = true
-default-features = false
 features = ["synthesizer"]
 
 [dev-dependencies.tokio]
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 37069a0468..dec7e13a74 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -43,6 +43,17 @@ dependencies = [
  "subtle",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "ahash"
+version = "0.7.6"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "fcb51a0695d8f838b1ee009b3fbf66bda078cd64590202a864a8f3e8c4315c47"
+dependencies = [
+ "getrandom",
+ "once_cell",
+ "version_check",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "ahash"
 version = "0.8.3"
@@ -117,7 +128,7 @@ checksum = "6118baab6285accf088b31d5ea5029c37bbf9d98e62b4d8720a0a5a66bc2e427"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -155,9 +166,9 @@ checksum = "7de8ce5e0f9f8d88245311066a578d72b7af3e7088f32783804676302df237e4"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "arrayref"
-version = "0.3.6"
+version = "0.3.7"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "a4c527152e37cf757a3f78aae5a06fbeefdb07ccc535c980a3208ee3060dd544"
+checksum = "6b4930d2cb77ce62f89ee5d5289b4ac049559b1c45539271f5ed4fdc7db34545"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "arrayvec"
@@ -167,34 +178,35 @@ checksum = "8da52d66c7071e2e3fa2a1e5c6d088fec47b593032b254f5e980de8ea54454d6"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "async-stream"
-version = "0.3.3"
+version = "0.3.5"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "dad5c83079eae9969be7fadefe640a1c566901f05ff91ab221de4b6f68d9507e"
+checksum = "cd56dd203fef61ac097dd65721a419ddccb106b2d2b70ba60a6b529f03961a51"
 dependencies = [
  "async-stream-impl",
  "futures-core",
+ "pin-project-lite",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "async-stream-impl"
-version = "0.3.3"
+version = "0.3.5"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "10f203db73a71dfa2fb6dd22763990fa26f3d2625a6da2da900d23b87d26be27"
+checksum = "16e62a023e7c117e27523144c5d2459f4397fcc3cab0085af8e2224f643a0193"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 2.0.15",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "async-trait"
-version = "0.1.66"
+version = "0.1.68"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "b84f9ebcc6c1f5b8cb160f6990096a5c127f423fcb6e1ccc46c370cbdfb75dfc"
+checksum = "b9ccdd8f2a161be9bd5c023df56f1b2a0bd1d83872ae53b71a84a12c9bf6e842"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 2.0.15",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -257,9 +269,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "bincode"
-version = "2.0.0-rc.2"
+version = "2.0.0-rc.3"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "7bb50c5a2ef4b9b1e7ae73e3a73b52ea24b20312d629f9c4df28260b7ad2c3c4"
+checksum = "f11ea1a0346b94ef188834a65c068a03aec181c94896d481d7a0a40d85b0ce95"
 dependencies = [
  "bincode_derive",
  "serde",
@@ -267,9 +279,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "bincode_derive"
-version = "2.0.0-rc.2"
+version = "2.0.0-rc.3"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "0a45a23389446d2dd25dc8e73a7a3b3c43522b630cac068927f0649d43d719d2"
+checksum = "7e30759b3b99a1b802a7a3aa21c85c3ded5c28e1c83170d82d70f08bbf7f3e4c"
 dependencies = [
  "virtue",
 ]
@@ -291,7 +303,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "regex",
  "rustc-hash",
  "shlex",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -322,9 +334,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "block-buffer"
-version = "0.10.3"
+version = "0.10.4"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "69cce20737498f97b993470a6e536b8523f0af7892a4f928cceb1ac5e52ebe7e"
+checksum = "3078c7629b62d3f0439517fa394996acacc5cbc91c5a20d8c658e77abd503a71"
 dependencies = [
  "generic-array",
 ]
@@ -335,16 +347,6 @@ version = "0.4.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "771fe0050b883fcc3ea2359b1a96bcfbc090b7116eae7c3c512c7a083fdf23d3"
 
-[[package]]
-name = "buf_redux"
-version = "0.8.4"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "b953a6887648bb07a535631f2bc00fbdb2a2216f135552cb3f534ed136b9c07f"
-dependencies = [
- "memchr",
- "safemem",
-]
-
 [[package]]
 name = "bumpalo"
 version = "3.12.0"
@@ -434,9 +436,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "chrono"
-version = "0.4.23"
+version = "0.4.24"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "16b0a3d9ed01224b22057780a37bb8c5dbfe1be8ba48678e7bf57ec4b385411f"
+checksum = "4e3c5919066adf22df73762e50cffcde3a758f2a848b113b586d1f86728b673b"
 dependencies = [
  "iana-time-zone",
  "num-integer",
@@ -464,9 +466,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "clang-sys"
-version = "1.4.0"
+version = "1.6.1"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "fa2e27ae6ab525c3d369ded447057bca5438d86dc3a68f6faafb8269ba82ebf3"
+checksum = "c688fc74432808e3eb684cae8830a86be1d66a2bd58e1f248ed0960a590baf6f"
 dependencies = [
  "glob",
  "libc",
@@ -500,7 +502,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "proc-macro-error",
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -548,9 +550,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "constant_time_eq"
-version = "0.2.4"
+version = "0.2.5"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "f3ad85c1f65dc7b37604eb0e89748faf0b9653065f2a8ef69f96a687ec1e9279"
+checksum = "13418e745008f7349ec7e449155f419a61b92b58a99cc3616942b926825ec76b"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "core-foundation"
@@ -564,15 +566,15 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "core-foundation-sys"
-version = "0.8.3"
+version = "0.8.4"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "5827cebf4670468b8772dd191856768aedcb1b0278a04f989f7766351917b9dc"
+checksum = "e496a50fda8aacccc86d7529e2c1e0892dbd0f898a6b5645b5561b89c3210efa"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "cpufeatures"
-version = "0.2.5"
+version = "0.2.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "28d997bd5e24a5928dd43e46dc529867e207907fe0b239c3477d924f7f2ca320"
+checksum = "280a9f2d8b3a38871a3c8a46fb80db65e5e5ed97da80c4d08bf27fb63e35e181"
 dependencies = [
  "libc",
 ]
@@ -588,9 +590,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "crossbeam-channel"
-version = "0.5.6"
+version = "0.5.8"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "c2dd04ddaf88237dc3b8d8f9a3c1004b506b54b3313403944054d23c0870c521"
+checksum = "a33c2bf77f2df06183c3aa30d1e96c0695a313d4f9c453cc3762a6db39f99200"
 dependencies = [
  "cfg-if",
  "crossbeam-utils",
@@ -598,9 +600,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "crossbeam-deque"
-version = "0.8.2"
+version = "0.8.3"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "715e8152b692bba2d374b53d4875445368fdf21a94751410af607a5ac677d1fc"
+checksum = "ce6fd6f855243022dcecf8702fef0c297d4338e226845fe067f6341ad9fa0cef"
 dependencies = [
  "cfg-if",
  "crossbeam-epoch",
@@ -609,22 +611,22 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "crossbeam-epoch"
-version = "0.9.13"
+version = "0.9.14"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "01a9af1f4c2ef74bb8aa1f7e19706bc72d03598c8a570bb5de72243c7a9d9d5a"
+checksum = "46bd5f3f85273295a9d14aedfb86f6aadbff6d8f5295c4a9edb08e819dcf5695"
 dependencies = [
  "autocfg",
  "cfg-if",
  "crossbeam-utils",
- "memoffset",
+ "memoffset 0.8.0",
  "scopeguard",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "crossbeam-utils"
-version = "0.8.14"
+version = "0.8.15"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "4fb766fa798726286dbbb842f174001dab8abc7b627a1dd86e0b7222a95d929f"
+checksum = "3c063cd8cc95f5c377ed0d4b49a4b21f632396ff690e8470c29b3359b346984b"
 dependencies = [
  "cfg-if",
 ]
@@ -706,9 +708,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "curl-sys"
-version = "0.4.59+curl-7.86.0"
+version = "0.4.61+curl-8.0.1"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "6cfce34829f448b08f55b7db6d0009e23e2e86a34e8c2b366269bf5799b4a407"
+checksum = "14d05c10f541ae6f3bc5b3d923c20001f47db7d5f0b2bc6ad16490133842db79"
 dependencies = [
  "cc",
  "libc",
@@ -735,9 +737,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "cxx"
-version = "1.0.91"
+version = "1.0.94"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "86d3488e7665a7a483b57e25bdd90d0aeb2bc7608c8d0346acf2ad3f1caf1d62"
+checksum = "f61f1b6389c3fe1c316bf8a4dccc90a38208354b330925bce1f74a6c4756eb93"
 dependencies = [
  "cc",
  "cxxbridge-flags",
@@ -747,9 +749,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "cxx-build"
-version = "1.0.91"
+version = "1.0.94"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "48fcaf066a053a41a81dfb14d57d99738b767febb8b735c3016e469fac5da690"
+checksum = "12cee708e8962df2aeb38f594aae5d827c022b6460ac71a7a3e2c3c2aae5a07b"
 dependencies = [
  "cc",
  "codespan-reporting",
@@ -757,24 +759,24 @@ dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
  "scratch",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 2.0.15",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "cxxbridge-flags"
-version = "1.0.91"
+version = "1.0.94"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "a2ef98b8b717a829ca5603af80e1f9e2e48013ab227b68ef37872ef84ee479bf"
+checksum = "7944172ae7e4068c533afbb984114a56c46e9ccddda550499caa222902c7f7bb"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "cxxbridge-macro"
-version = "1.0.91"
+version = "1.0.94"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "086c685979a698443656e5cf7856c95c642295a38599f12fb1ff76fb28d19892"
+checksum = "2345488264226bf682893e25de0769f3360aac9957980ec49361b083ddaa5bc5"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 2.0.15",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -807,7 +809,7 @@ checksum = "fcc3dd5e9e9c0b295d6e1e4d811fb6f157d5ffd784b8d202fc62eac8035a770b"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -890,13 +892,13 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "errno"
-version = "0.2.8"
+version = "0.3.1"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "f639046355ee4f37944e44f60642c6f3a7efa3cf6b78c78a0d989a8ce6c396a1"
+checksum = "4bcfec3a70f97c962c307b2d2c56e358cf1d00b558d74262b5f929ee8cc7e73a"
 dependencies = [
  "errno-dragonfly",
  "libc",
- "winapi",
+ "windows-sys 0.48.0",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -920,9 +922,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "fiat-crypto"
-version = "0.1.17"
+version = "0.1.20"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "a214f5bb88731d436478f3ae1f8a277b62124089ba9fb67f4f93fb100ef73c90"
+checksum = "e825f6987101665dea6ec934c09ec6d721de7bc1bf92248e1d5810c8cd636b77"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "flate2"
@@ -972,9 +974,9 @@ checksum = "c1fd087255f739f4f1aeea69f11b72f8080e9c2e7645cd06955dad4a178a49e3"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "futures"
-version = "0.3.27"
+version = "0.3.28"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "531ac96c6ff5fd7c62263c5e3c67a603af4fcaee2e1a0ae5565ba3a11e69e549"
+checksum = "23342abe12aba583913b2e62f22225ff9c950774065e4bfb61a19cd9770fec40"
 dependencies = [
  "futures-channel",
  "futures-core",
@@ -987,9 +989,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "futures-channel"
-version = "0.3.27"
+version = "0.3.28"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "164713a5a0dcc3e7b4b1ed7d3b433cabc18025386f9339346e8daf15963cf7ac"
+checksum = "955518d47e09b25bbebc7a18df10b81f0c766eaf4c4f1cccef2fca5f2a4fb5f2"
 dependencies = [
  "futures-core",
  "futures-sink",
@@ -997,15 +999,15 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "futures-core"
-version = "0.3.27"
+version = "0.3.28"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "86d7a0c1aa76363dac491de0ee99faf6941128376f1cf96f07db7603b7de69dd"
+checksum = "4bca583b7e26f571124fe5b7561d49cb2868d79116cfa0eefce955557c6fee8c"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "futures-executor"
-version = "0.3.27"
+version = "0.3.28"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "1997dd9df74cdac935c76252744c1ed5794fac083242ea4fe77ef3ed60ba0f83"
+checksum = "ccecee823288125bd88b4d7f565c9e58e41858e47ab72e8ea2d64e93624386e0"
 dependencies = [
  "futures-core",
  "futures-task",
@@ -1015,38 +1017,38 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "futures-io"
-version = "0.3.27"
+version = "0.3.28"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "89d422fa3cbe3b40dca574ab087abb5bc98258ea57eea3fd6f1fa7162c778b91"
+checksum = "4fff74096e71ed47f8e023204cfd0aa1289cd54ae5430a9523be060cdb849964"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "futures-macro"
-version = "0.3.27"
+version = "0.3.28"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "3eb14ed937631bd8b8b8977f2c198443447a8355b6e3ca599f38c975e5a963b6"
+checksum = "89ca545a94061b6365f2c7355b4b32bd20df3ff95f02da9329b34ccc3bd6ee72"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 2.0.15",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "futures-sink"
-version = "0.3.27"
+version = "0.3.28"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "ec93083a4aecafb2a80a885c9de1f0ccae9dbd32c2bb54b0c3a65690e0b8d2f2"
+checksum = "f43be4fe21a13b9781a69afa4985b0f6ee0e1afab2c6f454a8cf30e2b2237b6e"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "futures-task"
-version = "0.3.27"
+version = "0.3.28"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "fd65540d33b37b16542a0438c12e6aeead10d4ac5d05bd3f805b8f35ab592879"
+checksum = "76d3d132be6c0e6aa1534069c705a74a5997a356c0dc2f86a47765e5617c5b65"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "futures-util"
-version = "0.3.27"
+version = "0.3.28"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "3ef6b17e481503ec85211fed8f39d1970f128935ca1f814cd32ac4a6842e84ab"
+checksum = "26b01e40b772d54cf6c6d721c1d1abd0647a0106a12ecaa1c186273392a69533"
 dependencies = [
  "futures-channel",
  "futures-core",
@@ -1071,9 +1073,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "generic-array"
-version = "0.14.6"
+version = "0.14.7"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "bff49e947297f3312447abdca79f45f4738097cc82b06e72054d2223f601f1b9"
+checksum = "85649ca51fd72272d7821adaf274ad91c288277713d9c18820d8499a7ff69e9a"
 dependencies = [
  "typenum",
  "version_check",
@@ -1090,13 +1092,13 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "getrandom"
-version = "0.2.8"
+version = "0.2.9"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "c05aeb6a22b8f62540c194aac980f2115af067bfe15a0734d7277a768d396b31"
+checksum = "c85e1d9ab2eadba7e5040d4e09cbd6d072b76a557ad64e797c2cb9d4da21d7e4"
 dependencies = [
  "cfg-if",
  "libc",
- "wasi",
+ "wasi 0.11.0+wasi-snapshot-preview1",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -1117,9 +1119,9 @@ checksum = "d2fabcfbdc87f4758337ca535fb41a6d701b65693ce38287d856d1674551ec9b"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "h2"
-version = "0.3.15"
+version = "0.3.17"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "5f9f29bc9dda355256b2916cf526ab02ce0aeaaaf2bad60d65ef3f12f11dd0f4"
+checksum = "66b91535aa35fea1523ad1b86cb6b53c28e0ae566ba4a460f4457e936cad7c6f"
 dependencies = [
  "bytes",
  "fnv",
@@ -1139,6 +1141,9 @@ name = "hashbrown"
 version = "0.12.3"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "8a9ee70c43aaf417c914396645a0fa852624801b24ebb7ae78fe8272889ac888"
+dependencies = [
+ "ahash 0.7.6",
+]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "hashbrown"
@@ -1146,7 +1151,7 @@ version = "0.13.2"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "43a3c133739dddd0d2990f9a4bdf8eb4b21ef50e4851ca85ab661199821d510e"
 dependencies = [
- "ahash",
+ "ahash 0.8.3",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -1198,6 +1203,12 @@ dependencies = [
  "libc",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "hermit-abi"
+version = "0.3.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "fed44880c466736ef9a5c5b5facefb5ed0785676d0c02d612db14e54f0d84286"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "hex"
 version = "0.4.3"
@@ -1240,9 +1251,9 @@ checksum = "c4a1e36c821dbe04574f602848a19f742f4fb3c98d40449f11bcad18d6b17421"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "hyper"
-version = "0.14.24"
+version = "0.14.26"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "5e011372fa0b68db8350aa7a248930ecc7839bf46d8485577d69f117a75f164c"
+checksum = "ab302d72a6f11a3b910431ff93aae7e773078c769f0a3ef15fb9ec692ed147d4"
 dependencies = [
  "bytes",
  "futures-channel",
@@ -1277,16 +1288,16 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "iana-time-zone"
-version = "0.1.53"
+version = "0.1.56"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "64c122667b287044802d6ce17ee2ddf13207ed924c712de9a66a5814d5b64765"
+checksum = "0722cd7114b7de04316e7ea5456a0bbb20e4adb46fd27a3697adb812cff0f37c"
 dependencies = [
  "android_system_properties",
  "core-foundation-sys",
  "iana-time-zone-haiku",
  "js-sys",
  "wasm-bindgen",
- "winapi",
+ "windows",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -1344,19 +1355,20 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "io-lifetimes"
-version = "1.0.5"
+version = "1.0.10"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "1abeb7a0dd0f8181267ff8adc397075586500b81b28a73e8a0208b00fc170fb3"
+checksum = "9c66c74d2ae7e79a5a8f7ac924adbe38ee42a859c6539ad869eb51f0b52dc220"
 dependencies = [
+ "hermit-abi 0.3.1",
  "libc",
- "windows-sys 0.45.0",
+ "windows-sys 0.48.0",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "ipnet"
-version = "2.7.1"
+version = "2.7.2"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "30e22bd8629359895450b59ea7a776c850561b96a3b1d31321c1949d9e6c9146"
+checksum = "12b6ee2129af8d4fb011108c73d99a1b83a85977f23b82460c0ae2e25bb4b57f"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "itertools"
@@ -1369,15 +1381,15 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "itoa"
-version = "1.0.5"
+version = "1.0.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "fad582f4b9e86b6caa621cabeb0963332d92eea04729ab12892c2533951e6440"
+checksum = "453ad9f582a441959e5f0d088b02ce04cfe8d51a8eaf077f12ac6d3e94164ca6"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "jobserver"
-version = "0.1.25"
+version = "0.1.26"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "068b1ee6743e4d11fb9c6a1e6064b3693a1b600e7f5f5988047d98b3dc9fb90b"
+checksum = "936cfd212a0155903bcbc060e316fb6cc7cbf2e1907329391ebadc1fe0ce77c2"
 dependencies = [
  "libc",
 ]
@@ -1393,11 +1405,11 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "jsonwebtoken"
-version = "8.2.0"
+version = "8.3.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "09f4f04699947111ec1733e71778d763555737579e44b85844cae8e1940a1828"
+checksum = "6971da4d9c3aa03c3d8f3ff0f4155b534aad021292003895a469716b2a230378"
 dependencies = [
- "base64 0.13.1",
+ "base64 0.21.0",
  "pem",
  "ring",
  "serde",
@@ -1412,7 +1424,7 @@ source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "d9b367a58a53900cadde9087e3290dbf00dc5e85f94904bd017c43d6c7bb5782"
 dependencies = [
  "async-trait",
- "bincode 2.0.0-rc.2",
+ "bincode 2.0.0-rc.3",
  "bytes",
  "parking_lot",
  "rand",
@@ -1435,9 +1447,9 @@ checksum = "830d08ce1d1d941e6b30645f1a0eb5643013d835ce3779a5fc208261dbe10f55"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "libc"
-version = "0.2.139"
+version = "0.2.141"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "201de327520df007757c1f0adce6e827fe8562fbc28bfd9c15571c66ca1f5f79"
+checksum = "3304a64d199bb964be99741b7a14d26972741915b3649639149b2479bb46f4b5"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "libloading"
@@ -1457,9 +1469,9 @@ checksum = "7fc7aa29613bd6a620df431842069224d8bc9011086b1db4c0e0cd47fa03ec9a"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "librocksdb-sys"
-version = "0.8.3+7.4.4"
+version = "0.10.0+7.9.2"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "557b255ff04123fcc176162f56ed0c9cd42d8f357cf55b3fabeb60f7413741b3"
+checksum = "0fe4d5874f5ff2bc616e55e8c6086d478fcda13faf9495768a4aa1c22042d30b"
 dependencies = [
  "bindgen",
  "bzip2-sys",
@@ -1467,6 +1479,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "glob",
  "libc",
  "libz-sys",
+ "lz4-sys",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -1498,9 +1511,9 @@ checksum = "0717cef1bc8b636c6e1c1bbdefc09e6322da8a9321966e8928ef80d20f7f770f"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "linux-raw-sys"
-version = "0.1.4"
+version = "0.3.1"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "f051f77a7c8e6957c0696eac88f26b0117e54f52d3fc682ab19397a8812846a4"
+checksum = "d59d8c75012853d2e872fb56bc8a2e53718e2cafe1a4c823143141c6d90c322f"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lock_api"
@@ -1521,6 +1534,25 @@ dependencies = [
  "cfg-if",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "lz4-sys"
+version = "1.9.4"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "57d27b317e207b10f69f5e75494119e391a96f48861ae870d1da6edac98ca900"
+dependencies = [
+ "cc",
+ "libc",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "mach"
+version = "0.3.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "b823e83b2affd8f40a9ee8c29dbc56404c1e34cd2710921f2801e2cf29527afa"
+dependencies = [
+ "libc",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "matchers"
 version = "0.0.1"
@@ -1554,11 +1586,78 @@ dependencies = [
  "autocfg",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "memoffset"
+version = "0.8.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "d61c719bcfbcf5d62b3a09efa6088de8c54bc0bfcd3ea7ae39fcc186108b8de1"
+dependencies = [
+ "autocfg",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "metrics"
+version = "0.20.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "7b9b8653cec6897f73b519a43fba5ee3d50f62fe9af80b428accdcc093b4a849"
+dependencies = [
+ "ahash 0.7.6",
+ "metrics-macros",
+ "portable-atomic",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "metrics-exporter-prometheus"
+version = "0.11.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "8603921e1f54ef386189335f288441af761e0fc61bcb552168d9cedfe63ebc70"
+dependencies = [
+ "hyper",
+ "indexmap",
+ "ipnet",
+ "metrics",
+ "metrics-util",
+ "parking_lot",
+ "portable-atomic",
+ "quanta",
+ "thiserror",
+ "tokio",
+ "tracing",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "metrics-macros"
+version = "0.6.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "731f8ecebd9f3a4aa847dfe75455e4757a45da40a7793d2f0b1f9b6ed18b23f3"
+dependencies = [
+ "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
+ "quote 1.0.26",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "metrics-util"
+version = "0.14.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "f7d24dc2dbae22bff6f1f9326ffce828c9f07ef9cc1e8002e5279f845432a30a"
+dependencies = [
+ "crossbeam-epoch",
+ "crossbeam-utils",
+ "hashbrown 0.12.3",
+ "metrics",
+ "num_cpus",
+ "parking_lot",
+ "portable-atomic",
+ "quanta",
+ "sketches-ddsketch",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "mime"
-version = "0.3.16"
+version = "0.3.17"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "2a60c7ce501c71e03a9c9c0d35b861413ae925bd979cc7a4e30d060069aaac8d"
+checksum = "6877bb514081ee2a7ff5ef9de3281f14a4dd4bceac4c09388074a6b5df8a139a"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "mime_guess"
@@ -1593,26 +1692,22 @@ checksum = "5b9d9a46eff5b4ff64b45a9e316a6d1e0bc719ef429cbec4dc630684212bfdf9"
 dependencies = [
  "libc",
  "log",
- "wasi",
+ "wasi 0.11.0+wasi-snapshot-preview1",
  "windows-sys 0.45.0",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
-name = "multipart"
-version = "0.18.0"
+name = "multiparty"
+version = "0.1.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "00dec633863867f29cb39df64a397cdf4a6354708ddd7759f70c7fb51c5f9182"
+checksum = "ed1ec6589a6d4a1e0b33b4c0a3f6ee96dfba88ebdb3da51403fd7cf0a24a4b04"
 dependencies = [
- "buf_redux",
+ "bytes",
+ "futures-core",
  "httparse",
- "log",
- "mime",
- "mime_guess",
- "quick-error",
- "rand",
- "safemem",
- "tempfile",
- "twoway",
+ "memchr",
+ "pin-project-lite",
+ "try-lock",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -1648,7 +1743,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "bitflags",
  "cfg-if",
  "libc",
- "memoffset",
+ "memoffset 0.7.1",
  "pin-utils",
  "static_assertions",
 ]
@@ -1692,7 +1787,7 @@ checksum = "876a53fff98e03a936a674b29568b0e605f06b29372c2489ff4de23f1949743d"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -1757,9 +1852,9 @@ checksum = "624a8340c38c1b80fd549087862da4ba43e08858af025b236e509b6649fc13d5"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "openssl"
-version = "0.10.45"
+version = "0.10.50"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "b102428fd03bc5edf97f62620f7298614c45cedf287c271e7ed450bbaf83f2e1"
+checksum = "7e30d8bc91859781f0a943411186324d580f2bbeb71b452fe91ae344806af3f1"
 dependencies = [
  "bitflags",
  "cfg-if",
@@ -1772,13 +1867,13 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "openssl-macros"
-version = "0.1.0"
+version = "0.1.1"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "b501e44f11665960c7e7fcf062c7d96a14ade4aa98116c004b2e37b5be7d736c"
+checksum = "a948666b637a0f465e8564c73e89d4dde00d72d4d473cc972f390fc3dcee7d9c"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 2.0.15",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -1789,11 +1884,10 @@ checksum = "ff011a302c396a5197692431fc1948019154afc178baf7d8e37367442a4601cf"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "openssl-sys"
-version = "0.9.80"
+version = "0.9.85"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "23bbbf7854cd45b83958ebe919f0e8e516793727652e27fda10a8384cfc790b7"
+checksum = "0d3d193fb1488ad46ffe3aaabc912cc931d02ee8518fe2959aea8ef52718b0c0"
 dependencies = [
- "autocfg",
  "cc",
  "libc",
  "pkg-config",
@@ -1802,9 +1896,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "os_str_bytes"
-version = "6.4.1"
+version = "6.5.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "9b7820b9daea5457c9f21c69448905d723fbd21136ccf521748f23fd49e723ee"
+checksum = "ceedf44fb00f2d1984b0bc98102627ce622e083e49a5bacdb3e514fa4238e267"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "overload"
@@ -1840,7 +1934,7 @@ checksum = "9069cbb9f99e3a5083476ccb29ceb1de18b9118cafa53e90c9551235de2b9521"
 dependencies = [
  "cfg-if",
  "libc",
- "redox_syscall",
+ "redox_syscall 0.2.16",
  "smallvec",
  "windows-sys 0.45.0",
 ]
@@ -1911,7 +2005,7 @@ checksum = "069bdb1e05adc7a8990dce9cc75370895fbe4e3d58b9b73bf1aee56359344a55"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -1982,7 +2076,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "proc-macro-error-attr",
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
  "version_check",
 ]
 
@@ -2016,18 +2110,19 @@ dependencies = [
 ]
 
 [[package]]
-name = "quick-error"
-version = "1.2.3"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "a1d01941d82fa2ab50be1e79e6714289dd7cde78eba4c074bc5a4374f650dfe0"
-
-[[package]]
-name = "quick-xml"
-version = "0.22.0"
+name = "quanta"
+version = "0.10.1"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "8533f14c8382aaad0d592c812ac3b826162128b65662331e1127b45c3d18536b"
+checksum = "b7e31331286705f455e56cca62e0e717158474ff02b7936c1fa596d983f4ae27"
 dependencies = [
- "memchr",
+ "crossbeam-utils",
+ "libc",
+ "mach",
+ "once_cell",
+ "raw-cpuid",
+ "wasi 0.10.2+wasi-snapshot-preview1",
+ "web-sys",
+ "winapi",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -2102,6 +2197,15 @@ dependencies = [
  "rand_core",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "raw-cpuid"
+version = "10.7.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "6c297679cb867470fa8c9f67dbba74a78d78e3e98d7cf2b08d6d71540f797332"
+dependencies = [
+ "bitflags",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "rayon"
 version = "1.7.0"
@@ -2133,6 +2237,15 @@ dependencies = [
  "bitflags",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "redox_syscall"
+version = "0.3.5"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "567664f262709473930a4bf9e51bf2ebf3348f2e748ccc50dea20646858f8f29"
+dependencies = [
+ "bitflags",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "redox_users"
 version = "0.4.3"
@@ -2140,15 +2253,15 @@ source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "b033d837a7cf162d7993aded9304e30a83213c648b6e389db233191f891e5c2b"
 dependencies = [
  "getrandom",
- "redox_syscall",
+ "redox_syscall 0.2.16",
  "thiserror",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "regex"
-version = "1.7.1"
+version = "1.7.3"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "48aaa5748ba571fb95cd2c85c09f629215d3a6ece942baa100950af03a34f733"
+checksum = "8b1f693b24f6ac912f4893ef08244d70b6067480d2f1a46e950c9691e6749d1d"
 dependencies = [
  "aho-corasick",
  "memchr",
@@ -2166,15 +2279,15 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "regex-syntax"
-version = "0.6.28"
+version = "0.6.29"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "456c603be3e8d448b072f410900c09faf164fbce2d480456f50eea6e25f9c848"
+checksum = "f162c6dd7b008981e4d40210aca20b4bd0f9b60ca9271061b07f78537722f2e1"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "reqwest"
-version = "0.11.14"
+version = "0.11.16"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "21eed90ec8570952d53b772ecf8f206aa1ec9a3d76b2521c56c42973f2d91ee9"
+checksum = "27b71749df584b7f4cac2c426c127a7c785a5106cc98f7a8feb044115f0fa254"
 dependencies = [
  "base64 0.21.0",
  "bytes",
@@ -2224,9 +2337,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "rocksdb"
-version = "0.19.0"
+version = "0.20.1"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "7e9562ea1d70c0cc63a34a22d977753b50cca91cc6b6527750463bd5dd8697bc"
+checksum = "015439787fce1e75d55f279078d33ff14b4af5d93d995e8838ee4631301c8a99"
 dependencies = [
  "libc",
  "librocksdb-sys",
@@ -2249,16 +2362,16 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "rustix"
-version = "0.36.8"
+version = "0.37.11"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "f43abb88211988493c1abb44a70efa56ff0ce98f233b7b276146f1f3f7ba9644"
+checksum = "85597d61f83914ddeba6a47b3b8ffe7365107221c2e557ed94426489fefb5f77"
 dependencies = [
  "bitflags",
  "errno",
  "io-lifetimes",
  "libc",
  "linux-raw-sys",
- "windows-sys 0.45.0",
+ "windows-sys 0.48.0",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -2275,11 +2388,11 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "rustls-pemfile"
-version = "0.2.1"
+version = "1.0.2"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "5eebeaeb360c87bfb72e84abdb3447159c0eaececf1bef2aecd65a8be949d1c9"
+checksum = "d194b56d58803a43635bdc398cd17e383d6f71f9182b9a192c127ca42494a59b"
 dependencies = [
- "base64 0.13.1",
+ "base64 0.21.0",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -2296,15 +2409,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "ryu"
-version = "1.0.12"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "7b4b9743ed687d4b4bcedf9ff5eaa7398495ae14e61cba0a295704edbc7decde"
-
-[[package]]
-name = "safemem"
-version = "0.3.3"
+version = "1.0.13"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "ef703b7cb59335eae2eb93ceb664c0eb7ea6bf567079d843e09420219668e072"
+checksum = "f91339c0467de62360649f8d3e185ca8de4224ff281f66000de5eb2a77a79041"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "same-file"
@@ -2338,9 +2445,9 @@ checksum = "d29ab0c6d3fc0ee92fe66e2d99f700eab17a8d57d1c1d3b748380fb20baa78cd"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "scratch"
-version = "1.0.3"
+version = "1.0.5"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "ddccb15bcce173023b3fedd9436f882a0739b8dfb45e4f6b6002bee5929f61b2"
+checksum = "1792db035ce95be60c3f8853017b3999209281c24e2ba5bc8e59bf97a0c590c1"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sct"
@@ -2377,14 +2484,14 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "self_update"
-version = "0.34.0"
+version = "0.35.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "b28d58e73c427061f46c801176f54349be3c1a2818cf549e1d9bcac37eef7bca"
+checksum = "2e18819cd93c4799f93cd4cf0ac069ed0e615fea3af28ec78df71e0ea890628a"
 dependencies = [
  "hyper",
  "indicatif",
  "log",
- "quick-xml 0.22.0",
+ "quick-xml",
  "regex",
  "reqwest",
  "semver",
@@ -2401,7 +2508,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "hyper",
  "indicatif",
  "log",
- "quick-xml 0.23.1",
+ "quick-xml",
  "regex",
  "reqwest",
  "semver",
@@ -2412,9 +2519,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "semver"
-version = "1.0.16"
+version = "1.0.17"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "58bc9567378fc7690d6b2addae4e60ac2eeea07becb2c64b9f218b53865cba2a"
+checksum = "bebd363326d05ec3e2f532ab7660680f3b02130d780c299bca73469d521bc0ed"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "serde"
@@ -2438,9 +2545,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "serde_json"
-version = "1.0.94"
+version = "1.0.96"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "1c533a59c9d8a93a09c6ab31f0fd5e5f4dd1b8fc9434804029839884765d04ea"
+checksum = "057d394a50403bcac12672b2b18fb387ab6d289d957dab67dd201875391e52f1"
 dependencies = [
  "indexmap",
  "itoa",
@@ -2482,18 +2589,7 @@ checksum = "079a83df15f85d89a68d64ae1238f142f172b1fa915d0d76b26a7cba1b659a69"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
-]
-
-[[package]]
-name = "sha-1"
-version = "0.10.1"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "f5058ada175748e33390e40e872bd0fe59a19f265d0158daa551c5a88a76009c"
-dependencies = [
- "cfg-if",
- "cpufeatures",
- "digest",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -2575,11 +2671,17 @@ dependencies = [
  "time",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "sketches-ddsketch"
+version = "0.2.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "68a406c1882ed7f29cd5e248c9848a80e7cb6ae0fea82346d2746f2f941c07e1"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "slab"
-version = "0.4.7"
+version = "0.4.8"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "4614a76b2a8be0058caa9dbbaf66d988527d86d003c11a94fbd335d7661edcef"
+checksum = "6528351c9bc8ab22353f9d776db39a20288e8d6c37ef8cfe3317cf875eecfc2d"
 dependencies = [
  "autocfg",
 ]
@@ -2609,6 +2711,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "snarkos-node-router",
  "snarkos-node-store",
  "snarkos-node-tcp",
+ "tikv-jemallocator",
  "walkdir",
 ]
 
@@ -2638,7 +2741,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "rand",
  "rand_chacha",
  "rayon",
- "self_update 0.34.0",
+ "self_update 0.35.0",
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
  "snarkos-account",
@@ -2780,6 +2883,15 @@ dependencies = [
  "tracing",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "snarkos-node-metrics"
+version = "2.0.2"
+dependencies = [
+ "metrics",
+ "metrics-exporter-prometheus",
+ "tokio",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "snarkos-node-rest"
 version = "0.9.0"
@@ -2789,6 +2901,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "indexmap",
  "jsonwebtoken",
  "once_cell",
+ "parking_lot",
  "rand",
  "rayon",
  "serde",
@@ -2829,7 +2942,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "snarkos-node-router",
  "snarkos-node-tcp",
  "snarkvm",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.13",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
  "time",
  "tokio",
  "tokio-stream",
@@ -2891,7 +3004,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "snarkvm-console",
  "snarkvm-parameters",
  "snarkvm-synthesizer",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
  "thiserror",
  "ureq",
  "walkdir",
@@ -2919,7 +3032,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "snarkvm-fields",
  "snarkvm-parameters",
  "snarkvm-r1cs",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
  "thiserror",
 ]
 
@@ -2983,7 +3096,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "snarkvm-curves",
  "snarkvm-fields",
  "snarkvm-r1cs",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -3012,7 +3125,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "snarkvm-circuit-network",
  "snarkvm-circuit-types",
  "snarkvm-console-program",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -3140,7 +3253,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "smallvec",
  "snarkvm-console-types",
  "snarkvm-fields",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -3174,7 +3287,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "snarkvm-curves",
  "snarkvm-fields",
  "snarkvm-parameters",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -3191,7 +3304,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "serde",
  "snarkvm-curves",
  "snarkvm-fields",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -3210,7 +3323,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "snarkvm-console-collections",
  "snarkvm-console-network",
  "snarkvm-console-types",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -3308,7 +3421,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "rustc_version",
  "serde",
  "snarkvm-fields",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
  "thiserror",
 ]
 
@@ -3325,7 +3438,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "rand",
  "rayon",
  "serde",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
  "thiserror",
 ]
 
@@ -3350,7 +3463,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "serde_json",
  "sha2",
  "snarkvm-curves",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
  "thiserror",
 ]
 
@@ -3366,7 +3479,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "itertools",
  "snarkvm-curves",
  "snarkvm-fields",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
  "thiserror",
 ]
 
@@ -3393,25 +3506,28 @@ dependencies = [
  "snarkvm-console",
  "snarkvm-curves",
  "snarkvm-fields",
- "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
  "tracing",
  "ureq",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "snarkvm-utilities"
-version = "0.9.13"
+version = "0.9.16"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "34724eac8768fbc1c39b09f925b1fca52c264280c28b40137a91c09a3148b4de"
+checksum = "e34038d6351815ade16f1d7fe6d34fc723b990a9e200ee7dda5c8e3785f914f8"
 dependencies = [
+ "aleo-std",
  "anyhow",
  "bincode 1.3.3",
  "num-bigint",
+ "num_cpus",
  "rand",
  "rand_xorshift",
+ "rayon",
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
- "snarkvm-utilities-derives 0.9.13",
+ "snarkvm-utilities-derives 0.9.16 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
  "thiserror",
 ]
 
@@ -3430,19 +3546,19 @@ dependencies = [
  "rayon",
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
- "snarkvm-utilities-derives 0.9.16",
+ "snarkvm-utilities-derives 0.9.16 (git+https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git?rev=a42905e)",
  "thiserror",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "snarkvm-utilities-derives"
-version = "0.9.13"
+version = "0.9.16"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "7a06c52a5ceba9b9159f1b8cc3ca29bd5da16f339e4eb077cfc9024c813f2b86"
+checksum = "541b2488455c3194799b66349714f7891c47d7a7d16413c3b46c0ab280102d4f"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 2.0.15",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -3473,9 +3589,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "socket2"
-version = "0.4.7"
+version = "0.4.9"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "02e2d2db9033d13a1567121ddd7a095ee144db4e1ca1b1bda3419bc0da294ebd"
+checksum = "64a4a911eed85daf18834cfaa86a79b7d266ff93ff5ba14005426219480ed662"
 dependencies = [
  "libc",
  "winapi",
@@ -3529,9 +3645,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "syn"
-version = "1.0.107"
+version = "1.0.109"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "1f4064b5b16e03ae50984a5a8ed5d4f8803e6bc1fd170a3cda91a1be4b18e3f5"
+checksum = "72b64191b275b66ffe2469e8af2c1cfe3bafa67b529ead792a6d0160888b4237"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
@@ -3560,15 +3676,15 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "tempfile"
-version = "3.4.0"
+version = "3.5.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "af18f7ae1acd354b992402e9ec5864359d693cd8a79dcbef59f76891701c1e95"
+checksum = "b9fbec84f381d5795b08656e4912bec604d162bff9291d6189a78f4c8ab87998"
 dependencies = [
  "cfg-if",
  "fastrand",
- "redox_syscall",
+ "redox_syscall 0.3.5",
  "rustix",
- "windows-sys 0.42.0",
+ "windows-sys 0.45.0",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -3588,22 +3704,22 @@ checksum = "222a222a5bfe1bba4a77b45ec488a741b3cb8872e5e499451fd7d0129c9c7c3d"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "thiserror"
-version = "1.0.39"
+version = "1.0.40"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "a5ab016db510546d856297882807df8da66a16fb8c4101cb8b30054b0d5b2d9c"
+checksum = "978c9a314bd8dc99be594bc3c175faaa9794be04a5a5e153caba6915336cebac"
 dependencies = [
  "thiserror-impl",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "thiserror-impl"
-version = "1.0.39"
+version = "1.0.40"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "5420d42e90af0c38c3290abcca25b9b3bdf379fc9f55c528f53a269d9c9a267e"
+checksum = "f9456a42c5b0d803c8cd86e73dd7cc9edd429499f37a3550d286d5e86720569f"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 2.0.15",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -3616,6 +3732,26 @@ dependencies = [
  "once_cell",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "tikv-jemalloc-sys"
+version = "0.5.3+5.3.0-patched"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "a678df20055b43e57ef8cddde41cdfda9a3c1a060b67f4c5836dfb1d78543ba8"
+dependencies = [
+ "cc",
+ "libc",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "tikv-jemallocator"
+version = "0.5.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "20612db8a13a6c06d57ec83953694185a367e16945f66565e8028d2c0bd76979"
+dependencies = [
+ "libc",
+ "tikv-jemalloc-sys",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "time"
 version = "0.3.20"
@@ -3660,14 +3796,13 @@ checksum = "1f3ccbac311fea05f86f61904b462b55fb3df8837a366dfc601a0161d0532f20"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "tokio"
-version = "1.26.0"
+version = "1.27.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "03201d01c3c27a29c8a5cee5b55a93ddae1ccf6f08f65365c2c918f8c1b76f64"
+checksum = "d0de47a4eecbe11f498978a9b29d792f0d2692d1dd003650c24c76510e3bc001"
 dependencies = [
  "autocfg",
  "bytes",
  "libc",
- "memchr",
  "mio",
  "num_cpus",
  "parking_lot",
@@ -3680,13 +3815,13 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "tokio-macros"
-version = "1.8.2"
+version = "2.0.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "d266c00fde287f55d3f1c3e96c500c362a2b8c695076ec180f27918820bc6df8"
+checksum = "61a573bdc87985e9d6ddeed1b3d864e8a302c847e40d647746df2f1de209d1ce"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 2.0.15",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -3701,9 +3836,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "tokio-stream"
-version = "0.1.11"
+version = "0.1.12"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "d660770404473ccd7bc9f8b28494a811bc18542b915c0855c51e8f419d5223ce"
+checksum = "8fb52b74f05dbf495a8fba459fdc331812b96aa086d9eb78101fa0d4569c3313"
 dependencies = [
  "futures-core",
  "pin-project-lite",
@@ -3725,9 +3860,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "tokio-tungstenite"
-version = "0.17.2"
+version = "0.18.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "f714dd15bead90401d77e04243611caec13726c2408afd5b31901dfcdcb3b181"
+checksum = "54319c93411147bced34cb5609a80e0a8e44c5999c93903a81cd866630ec0bfd"
 dependencies = [
  "futures-util",
  "log",
@@ -3785,7 +3920,7 @@ checksum = "4017f8f45139870ca7e672686113917c71c7a6e02d4924eda67186083c03081a"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -3891,7 +4026,7 @@ checksum = "c49adbab879d2e0dd7f75edace5f0ac2156939ecb7e6a1e8fa14e53728328c48"
 dependencies = [
  "lazy_static",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -3902,7 +4037,7 @@ checksum = "258bc1c4f8e2e73a977812ab339d503e6feeb92700f6d07a6de4d321522d5c08"
 dependencies = [
  "lazy_static",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -3926,9 +4061,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "tungstenite"
-version = "0.17.3"
+version = "0.18.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "e27992fd6a8c29ee7eef28fc78349aa244134e10ad447ce3b9f0ac0ed0fa4ce0"
+checksum = "30ee6ab729cd4cf0fd55218530c4522ed30b7b6081752839b68fcec8d0960788"
 dependencies = [
  "base64 0.13.1",
  "byteorder",
@@ -3937,21 +4072,12 @@ dependencies = [
  "httparse",
  "log",
  "rand",
- "sha-1",
+ "sha1",
  "thiserror",
  "url",
  "utf-8",
 ]
 
-[[package]]
-name = "twoway"
-version = "0.1.8"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "59b11b2b5241ba34be09c3cc85a36e56e48f9888862e19cedf23336d35316ed1"
-dependencies = [
- "memchr",
-]
-
 [[package]]
 name = "typenum"
 version = "1.16.0"
@@ -3969,15 +4095,15 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "unicode-bidi"
-version = "0.3.10"
+version = "0.3.13"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "d54675592c1dbefd78cbd98db9bacd89886e1ca50692a0692baefffdeb92dd58"
+checksum = "92888ba5573ff080736b3648696b70cafad7d250551175acbaa4e0385b3e1460"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "unicode-ident"
-version = "1.0.6"
+version = "1.0.8"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "84a22b9f218b40614adcb3f4ff08b703773ad44fa9423e4e0d346d5db86e4ebc"
+checksum = "e5464a87b239f13a63a501f2701565754bae92d243d4bb7eb12f6d57d2269bf4"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "unicode-normalization"
@@ -4089,18 +4215,17 @@ checksum = "49874b5167b65d7193b8aba1567f5c7d93d001cafc34600cee003eda787e483f"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "virtue"
-version = "0.0.8"
+version = "0.0.13"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "7b60dcd6a64dd45abf9bd426970c9843726da7fc08f44cd6fcebf68c21220a63"
+checksum = "9dcc60c0624df774c82a0ef104151231d37da4962957d691c011c852b2473314"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "walkdir"
-version = "2.3.2"
+version = "2.3.3"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "808cf2735cd4b6866113f648b791c6adc5714537bc222d9347bb203386ffda56"
+checksum = "36df944cda56c7d8d8b7496af378e6b16de9284591917d307c9b4d313c44e698"
 dependencies = [
  "same-file",
- "winapi",
  "winapi-util",
 ]
 
@@ -4116,9 +4241,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "warp"
-version = "0.3.3"
+version = "0.3.4"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "ed7b8be92646fc3d18b06147664ebc5f48d222686cb11a8755e561a735aacc6d"
+checksum = "27e1a710288f0f91a98dd8a74f05b76a10768db245ce183edf64dc1afdc3016c"
 dependencies = [
  "bytes",
  "futures-channel",
@@ -4129,7 +4254,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "log",
  "mime",
  "mime_guess",
- "multipart",
+ "multiparty",
  "percent-encoding",
  "pin-project",
  "rustls-pemfile",
@@ -4145,6 +4270,12 @@ dependencies = [
  "tracing",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "wasi"
+version = "0.10.2+wasi-snapshot-preview1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "fd6fbd9a79829dd1ad0cc20627bf1ed606756a7f77edff7b66b7064f9cb327c6"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "wasi"
 version = "0.11.0+wasi-snapshot-preview1"
@@ -4172,7 +4303,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "once_cell",
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
  "wasm-bindgen-shared",
 ]
 
@@ -4206,7 +4337,7 @@ checksum = "2aff81306fcac3c7515ad4e177f521b5c9a15f2b08f4e32d823066102f35a5f6"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2 1.0.56",
  "quote 1.0.26",
- "syn 1.0.107",
+ "syn 1.0.109",
  "wasm-bindgen-backend",
  "wasm-bindgen-shared",
 ]
@@ -4277,19 +4408,28 @@ version = "0.4.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "712e227841d057c1ee1cd2fb22fa7e5a5461ae8e48fa2ca79ec42cfc1931183f"
 
+[[package]]
+name = "windows"
+version = "0.48.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "e686886bc078bc1b0b600cac0147aadb815089b6e4da64016cbd754b6342700f"
+dependencies = [
+ "windows-targets 0.48.0",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "windows-sys"
 version = "0.42.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "5a3e1820f08b8513f676f7ab6c1f99ff312fb97b553d30ff4dd86f9f15728aa7"
 dependencies = [
- "windows_aarch64_gnullvm",
- "windows_aarch64_msvc",
- "windows_i686_gnu",
- "windows_i686_msvc",
- "windows_x86_64_gnu",
- "windows_x86_64_gnullvm",
- "windows_x86_64_msvc",
+ "windows_aarch64_gnullvm 0.42.2",
+ "windows_aarch64_msvc 0.42.2",
+ "windows_i686_gnu 0.42.2",
+ "windows_i686_msvc 0.42.2",
+ "windows_x86_64_gnu 0.42.2",
+ "windows_x86_64_gnullvm 0.42.2",
+ "windows_x86_64_msvc 0.42.2",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -4298,65 +4438,131 @@ version = "0.45.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "75283be5efb2831d37ea142365f009c02ec203cd29a3ebecbc093d52315b66d0"
 dependencies = [
- "windows-targets",
+ "windows-targets 0.42.2",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "windows-sys"
+version = "0.48.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "677d2418bec65e3338edb076e806bc1ec15693c5d0104683f2efe857f61056a9"
+dependencies = [
+ "windows-targets 0.48.0",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "windows-targets"
-version = "0.42.1"
+version = "0.42.2"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "8e2522491fbfcd58cc84d47aeb2958948c4b8982e9a2d8a2a35bbaed431390e7"
+checksum = "8e5180c00cd44c9b1c88adb3693291f1cd93605ded80c250a75d472756b4d071"
 dependencies = [
- "windows_aarch64_gnullvm",
- "windows_aarch64_msvc",
- "windows_i686_gnu",
- "windows_i686_msvc",
- "windows_x86_64_gnu",
- "windows_x86_64_gnullvm",
- "windows_x86_64_msvc",
+ "windows_aarch64_gnullvm 0.42.2",
+ "windows_aarch64_msvc 0.42.2",
+ "windows_i686_gnu 0.42.2",
+ "windows_i686_msvc 0.42.2",
+ "windows_x86_64_gnu 0.42.2",
+ "windows_x86_64_gnullvm 0.42.2",
+ "windows_x86_64_msvc 0.42.2",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "windows-targets"
+version = "0.48.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "7b1eb6f0cd7c80c79759c929114ef071b87354ce476d9d94271031c0497adfd5"
+dependencies = [
+ "windows_aarch64_gnullvm 0.48.0",
+ "windows_aarch64_msvc 0.48.0",
+ "windows_i686_gnu 0.48.0",
+ "windows_i686_msvc 0.48.0",
+ "windows_x86_64_gnu 0.48.0",
+ "windows_x86_64_gnullvm 0.48.0",
+ "windows_x86_64_msvc 0.48.0",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "windows_aarch64_gnullvm"
+version = "0.42.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "597a5118570b68bc08d8d59125332c54f1ba9d9adeedeef5b99b02ba2b0698f8"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_aarch64_gnullvm"
-version = "0.42.1"
+version = "0.48.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "8c9864e83243fdec7fc9c5444389dcbbfd258f745e7853198f365e3c4968a608"
+checksum = "91ae572e1b79dba883e0d315474df7305d12f569b400fcf90581b06062f7e1bc"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_aarch64_msvc"
-version = "0.42.1"
+version = "0.42.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "e08e8864a60f06ef0d0ff4ba04124db8b0fb3be5776a5cd47641e942e58c4d43"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "windows_aarch64_msvc"
+version = "0.48.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "b2ef27e0d7bdfcfc7b868b317c1d32c641a6fe4629c171b8928c7b08d98d7cf3"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "windows_i686_gnu"
+version = "0.42.2"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "4c8b1b673ffc16c47a9ff48570a9d85e25d265735c503681332589af6253c6c7"
+checksum = "c61d927d8da41da96a81f029489353e68739737d3beca43145c8afec9a31a84f"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_i686_gnu"
-version = "0.42.1"
+version = "0.48.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "622a1962a7db830d6fd0a69683c80a18fda201879f0f447f065a3b7467daa241"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "windows_i686_msvc"
+version = "0.42.2"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "de3887528ad530ba7bdbb1faa8275ec7a1155a45ffa57c37993960277145d640"
+checksum = "44d840b6ec649f480a41c8d80f9c65108b92d89345dd94027bfe06ac444d1060"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_i686_msvc"
-version = "0.42.1"
+version = "0.48.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "4542c6e364ce21bf45d69fdd2a8e455fa38d316158cfd43b3ac1c5b1b19f8e00"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "windows_x86_64_gnu"
+version = "0.42.2"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "bf4d1122317eddd6ff351aa852118a2418ad4214e6613a50e0191f7004372605"
+checksum = "8de912b8b8feb55c064867cf047dda097f92d51efad5b491dfb98f6bbb70cb36"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_x86_64_gnu"
-version = "0.42.1"
+version = "0.48.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "c1040f221285e17ebccbc2591ffdc2d44ee1f9186324dd3e84e99ac68d699c45"
+checksum = "ca2b8a661f7628cbd23440e50b05d705db3686f894fc9580820623656af974b1"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_x86_64_gnullvm"
-version = "0.42.1"
+version = "0.42.2"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "628bfdf232daa22b0d64fdb62b09fcc36bb01f05a3939e20ab73aaf9470d0463"
+checksum = "26d41b46a36d453748aedef1486d5c7a85db22e56aff34643984ea85514e94a3"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "windows_x86_64_gnullvm"
+version = "0.48.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "7896dbc1f41e08872e9d5e8f8baa8fdd2677f29468c4e156210174edc7f7b953"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_x86_64_msvc"
-version = "0.42.1"
+version = "0.42.2"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "447660ad36a13288b1db4d4248e857b510e8c3a225c822ba4fb748c0aafecffd"
+checksum = "9aec5da331524158c6d1a4ac0ab1541149c0b9505fde06423b02f5ef0106b9f0"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "windows_x86_64_msvc"
+version = "0.48.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "1a515f5799fe4961cb532f983ce2b23082366b898e52ffbce459c86f67c8378a"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "winreg"
@@ -4369,6 +4575,6 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "zeroize"
-version = "1.5.7"
+version = "1.6.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "c394b5bd0c6f669e7275d9c20aa90ae064cb22e75a1cad54e1b34088034b149f"
+checksum = "2a0956f1ba7c7909bfb66c2e9e4124ab6f6482560f6628b5aaeba39207c9aad9"
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index f034b89b5f..b7c0198ff0 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ members = [
     "node/consensus",
     "node/ledger",
     "node/messages",
+    "node/metrics",
     "node/rest",
     "node/router",
     "node/store",
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ path = "snarkos/main.rs"
 #path = "../snarkVM"
 git = "https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkVM.git"
 rev = "a42905e"
-#version = "0.9.13"
+#version = "0.9.16"
 features = ["circuit", "console"]
 
 [dependencies.anyhow]
@@ -87,6 +88,9 @@ path = "./node/store"
 [dependencies.snarkos-node-tcp]
 path = "./node/tcp"
 
+[dependencies.tikv-jemallocator]
+version = "0.5"
+
 [dev-dependencies.rusty-hook]
 version = "0.11.2"
 
diff --git a/account/Cargo.toml b/account/Cargo.toml
index 5229e0d4ef..1d394e44fd 100644
--- a/account/Cargo.toml
+++ b/account/Cargo.toml
@@ -28,5 +28,4 @@ default-features = false
 
 [dependencies.snarkvm]
 workspace = true
-default-features = false
 features = [ "console" ]
diff --git a/account/src/lib.rs b/account/src/lib.rs
index 2d4a25df80..6e4919a5a0 100644
--- a/account/src/lib.rs
+++ b/account/src/lib.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,10 @@
 
 #![forbid(unsafe_code)]
 
-use snarkvm::{console::types::Field, prelude::*};
+use snarkvm::{
+    console::{network::prelude::*, types::Field},
+    prelude::*,
+};
 
 use anyhow::Error;
 use colored::*;
diff --git a/cli/Cargo.toml b/cli/Cargo.toml
index 3d2687e267..28a53f46d6 100644
--- a/cli/Cargo.toml
+++ b/cli/Cargo.toml
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ default-features = false
 version = "1"
 
 [dependencies.self_update]
-version = "0.34"
+version = "0.35"
 
 [dependencies.serde]
 version = "1"
diff --git a/node/cdn/Cargo.toml b/node/cdn/Cargo.toml
index 8cf6801a3c..111d860e97 100644
--- a/node/cdn/Cargo.toml
+++ b/node/cdn/Cargo.toml
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ license = "GPL-3.0"
 edition = "2021"
 
 [features]
-default = [ ]
+default = [ "parallel" ]
+parallel = [ "rayon" ]
 
 [dependencies.anyhow]
 version = "1.0.70"
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ version = "0.12"
 
 [dependencies.rayon]
 version = "1"
+optional = true
 
 [dependencies.reqwest]
 version = "0.11"
@@ -49,7 +51,6 @@ path = "../ledger"
 
 [dependencies.snarkvm]
 workspace = true
-default-features = false
 features = ["synthesizer"]
 
 [dependencies.tokio]
diff --git a/node/messages/src/challenge_request.rs b/node/messages/src/challenge_request.rs
index c9e3ac7a9d..ca7d156058 100644
--- a/node/messages/src/challenge_request.rs
+++ b/node/messages/src/challenge_request.rs
@@ -48,3 +48,9 @@ impl<N: Network> MessageTrait for ChallengeRequest<N> {
         Ok(Self { version, listener_port, node_type, address, nonce })
     }
 }
+
+impl<N: Network> ChallengeRequest<N> {
+    pub fn new(listener_port: u16, node_type: NodeType, address: Address<N>, nonce: u64) -> Self {
+        Self { version: Message::<N>::VERSION, listener_port, node_type, address, nonce }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/node/messages/src/helpers/codec.rs b/node/messages/src/helpers/codec.rs
index dc1f5cfe2b..aca6e4edfc 100644
--- a/node/messages/src/helpers/codec.rs
+++ b/node/messages/src/helpers/codec.rs
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ use ::bytes::{BufMut, BytesMut};
 use core::marker::PhantomData;
 use tokio_util::codec::{Decoder, Encoder, LengthDelimitedCodec};
 
+/// The maximum size of a message that can be transmitted during the handshake.
+const MAXIMUM_HANDSHAKE_MESSAGE_SIZE: usize = 1024 * 1024; // 1 MiB
+
 /// The maximum size of a message that can be transmitted in the network.
 const MAXIMUM_MESSAGE_SIZE: usize = 128 * 1024 * 1024; // 128 MiB
 
@@ -30,10 +33,20 @@ pub struct MessageCodec<N: Network> {
     _phantom: PhantomData<N>,
 }
 
+impl<N: Network> MessageCodec<N> {
+    /// Increases the maximum permitted message size post-handshake.
+    pub fn update_max_message_len(&mut self) {
+        self.codec = LengthDelimitedCodec::builder().max_frame_length(MAXIMUM_MESSAGE_SIZE).little_endian().new_codec();
+    }
+}
+
 impl<N: Network> Default for MessageCodec<N> {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
-            codec: LengthDelimitedCodec::builder().max_frame_length(MAXIMUM_MESSAGE_SIZE).little_endian().new_codec(),
+            codec: LengthDelimitedCodec::builder()
+                .max_frame_length(MAXIMUM_HANDSHAKE_MESSAGE_SIZE)
+                .little_endian()
+                .new_codec(),
             _phantom: Default::default(),
         }
     }
diff --git a/node/messages/src/helpers/noise_codec.rs b/node/messages/src/helpers/noise_codec.rs
index 0daa2c5169..c416db0b7b 100644
--- a/node/messages/src/helpers/noise_codec.rs
+++ b/node/messages/src/helpers/noise_codec.rs
@@ -386,11 +386,8 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn ping_roundtrip() {
-        let ping = MessageOrBytes::Message(Box::new(Message::Ping(Ping::<CurrentNetwork> {
-            version: 0,
-            node_type: NodeType::Client,
-            block_locators: None,
-        })));
+        let ping =
+            MessageOrBytes::Message(Box::new(Message::Ping(Ping::<CurrentNetwork>::new(NodeType::Client, None))));
 
         assert_roundtrip(ping)
     }
diff --git a/node/messages/src/ping.rs b/node/messages/src/ping.rs
index 1dfccf5bfd..e7e4917e93 100644
--- a/node/messages/src/ping.rs
+++ b/node/messages/src/ping.rs
@@ -44,3 +44,9 @@ impl<N: Network> MessageTrait for Ping<N> {
         Ok(Self { version, node_type, block_locators })
     }
 }
+
+impl<N: Network> Ping<N> {
+    pub fn new(node_type: NodeType, block_locators: Option<BlockLocators<N>>) -> Self {
+        Self { version: <Message<N>>::VERSION, node_type, block_locators }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/node/metrics/Cargo.toml b/node/metrics/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..257f838148
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node/metrics/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+[package]
+name = "snarkos-node-metrics"
+version = "2.0.2"
+authors = [ "The Aleo Team <hello@aleo.org>" ]
+description = "A node for a decentralized operating system"
+homepage = "https://aleo.org"
+repository = "https://github.com/AleoHQ/snarkOS"
+keywords = [
+  "aleo",
+  "cryptography",
+  "blockchain",
+  "decentralized",
+  "zero-knowledge"
+]
+categories = [ "cryptography", "operating-systems" ]
+license = "GPL-3.0"
+edition = "2021"
+
+[dependencies.metrics]
+version = "0.20"
+
+[dependencies.metrics-exporter-prometheus]
+version = "0.11"
+
+[dependencies.tokio]
+version = "1.23"
+features = ["rt"]
diff --git a/node/metrics/src/lib.rs b/node/metrics/src/lib.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a7f67963ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node/metrics/src/lib.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+// Copyright (C) 2019-2023 Aleo Systems Inc.
+// This file is part of the snarkOS library.
+
+// The snarkOS library is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+
+// The snarkOS library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with the snarkOS library. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+mod names;
+
+// Re-export the metrics macros.
+pub use metrics::*;
+// Expose the names at the crate level for easy access.
+pub use names::*;
+
+/// Initialises the metrics and returns a handle to the task running the metrics exporter.
+pub fn initialize() -> tokio::task::JoinHandle<()> {
+    use metrics_exporter_prometheus::PrometheusBuilder;
+
+    // Build the recorder and set as global.
+    let (recorder, exporter) = PrometheusBuilder::new().build().expect("can't build the prometheus exporter");
+    metrics::set_boxed_recorder(Box::new(recorder)).expect("can't set the prometheus exporter");
+
+    // Spawn a dedicated task for the exporter on the runtime.
+    let metrics_exporter_task = tokio::task::spawn(async move {
+        exporter.await.expect("can't await the prometheus exporter");
+    });
+
+    // Register the metrics so they exist on init.
+    register_metrics();
+
+    // Return the exporter's task handle to be tracked by the node's task handling.
+    metrics_exporter_task
+}
+
+fn register_metrics() {
+    for name in GAUGE_NAMES {
+        register_gauge!(name);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/node/metrics/src/names.rs b/node/metrics/src/names.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d8c6d85fd8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/node/metrics/src/names.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+// Copyright (C) 2019-2023 Aleo Systems Inc.
+// This file is part of the snarkOS library.
+
+// The snarkOS library is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+
+// The snarkOS library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with the snarkOS library. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+pub const GAUGE_NAMES: [&str; 4] = [blocks::HEIGHT, peers::CONNECTED, peers::CANDIDATE, peers::RESTRICTED];
+
+pub mod blocks {
+    pub const HEIGHT: &str = "snarkos_blocks_height_total";
+}
+
+pub mod peers {
+    pub const CONNECTED: &str = "snarkos_peers_connected_total";
+    pub const CANDIDATE: &str = "snarkos_peers_candidate_total";
+    pub const RESTRICTED: &str = "snarkos_peers_restricted_total";
+}
diff --git a/node/rest/Cargo.toml b/node/rest/Cargo.toml
index 4814c1cab2..967e983bbf 100644
--- a/node/rest/Cargo.toml
+++ b/node/rest/Cargo.toml
@@ -35,6 +35,9 @@ version = "8.2"
 [dependencies.once_cell]
 version = "1.13"
 
+[dependencies.parking_lot]
+version = "0.12"
+
 [dependencies.serde]
 version = "1"
 default-features = false
diff --git a/node/rest/src/lib.rs b/node/rest/src/lib.rs
index 8b8e24cb6c..eb8d566262 100644
--- a/node/rest/src/lib.rs
+++ b/node/rest/src/lib.rs
@@ -37,14 +37,12 @@ use snarkvm::{
 
 use anyhow::Result;
 use http::header::HeaderName;
+use parking_lot::Mutex;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::{net::SocketAddr, str::FromStr, sync::Arc};
 use tokio::task::JoinHandle;
 use warp::{reject, reply, Filter, Rejection, Reply};
 
-#[cfg(feature = "parallel")]
-use rayon::prelude::*;
-
 /// A REST API server for the ledger.
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct Rest<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>, R: Routing<N>> {
@@ -55,7 +53,7 @@ pub struct Rest<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>, R: Routing<N>> {
     /// The node (routing).
     routing: Arc<R>,
     /// The server handles.
-    handles: Vec<Arc<JoinHandle<()>>>,
+    handles: Arc<Mutex<Vec<JoinHandle<()>>>>,
 }
 
 impl<N: Network, C: 'static + ConsensusStorage<N>, R: Routing<N>> Rest<N, C, R> {
@@ -67,7 +65,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: 'static + ConsensusStorage<N>, R: Routing<N>> Rest<N, C, R>
         routing: Arc<R>,
     ) -> Result<Self> {
         // Initialize the server.
-        let mut server = Self { consensus, ledger, routing, handles: vec![] };
+        let mut server = Self { consensus, ledger, routing, handles: Default::default() };
         // Spawn the server.
         server.spawn_server(rest_ip);
         // Return the server.
@@ -82,7 +80,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>, R: Routing<N>> Rest<N, C, R> {
     }
 
     /// Returns the handles.
-    pub const fn handles(&self) -> &Vec<Arc<JoinHandle<()>>> {
+    pub const fn handles(&self) -> &Arc<Mutex<Vec<JoinHandle<()>>>> {
         &self.handles
     }
 }
@@ -105,9 +103,9 @@ impl<N: Network, C: 'static + ConsensusStorage<N>, R: Routing<N>> Rest<N, C, R>
         });
 
         // Spawn the server.
-        self.handles.push(Arc::new(tokio::spawn(async move {
+        self.handles.lock().push(tokio::spawn(async move {
             // Start the server.
             warp::serve(routes.with(cors).with(custom_log)).run(rest_ip).await
-        })))
+        }))
     }
 }
diff --git a/node/rest/src/routes.rs b/node/rest/src/routes.rs
index 0fb5d97008..bd0a42b194 100644
--- a/node/rest/src/routes.rs
+++ b/node/rest/src/routes.rs
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 
 use super::*;
 
+use rayon::iter::{IntoParallelIterator, ParallelIterator};
+
 /// The `get_blocks` query object.
 #[derive(Deserialize, Serialize)]
 struct BlockRange {
@@ -381,7 +383,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>, R: Routing<N>> Rest<N, C, R> {
         });
 
         // Broadcast the transaction.
-        routing.propagate(message, vec![]);
+        routing.propagate(message, &[]);
 
         Ok(transaction_id.to_string())
     }
diff --git a/node/router/Cargo.toml b/node/router/Cargo.toml
index 3f3a06ff7d..fca2723ce8 100644
--- a/node/router/Cargo.toml
+++ b/node/router/Cargo.toml
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ path = "."
 features = [ "test" ]
 
 [dev-dependencies.snarkvm-utilities]
-version = "0.9"
+version = "0.9.16"
 
 [dev-dependencies.tracing-subscriber]
 version = "0.3"
diff --git a/node/router/src/handshake.rs b/node/router/src/handshake.rs
index a2e417898e..8aee4a4cdb 100644
--- a/node/router/src/handshake.rs
+++ b/node/router/src/handshake.rs
@@ -43,8 +43,51 @@ impl<N: Network> P2P for Router<N> {
     }
 }
 
+/// A macro unwrapping the expected handshake message or returning an error for unexpected messages.
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! expect_message {
+    ($msg_ty:path, $framed:expr, $peer_addr:expr) => {
+        match $framed.try_next().await? {
+            // Received the expected message, proceed.
+            Some($msg_ty(data)) => {
+                trace!("Received '{}' from '{}'", data.name(), $peer_addr);
+                data
+            }
+            // Received a disconnect message, abort.
+            Some(Message::Disconnect(reason)) => {
+                return Err(error(format!("'{}' disconnected: {reason:?}", $peer_addr)))
+            }
+            // Received an unexpected message, abort.
+            Some(ty) => {
+                return Err(error(format!(
+                    "'{}' did not follow the handshake protocol: received {:?} instead of {}",
+                    $peer_addr,
+                    ty.name(),
+                    stringify!($msg_ty),
+                )))
+            }
+            // Received nothing.
+            None => {
+                return Err(error(format!("'{}' disconnected before sending {:?}", $peer_addr, stringify!($msg_ty),)))
+            }
+        }
+    };
+}
+
+/// A macro for cutting a handshake short if message verification fails.
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! handle_verification {
+    ($result:expr, $framed:expr, $peer_addr:expr) => {
+        if let Some(reason) = $result {
+            trace!("Sending 'Disconnect' to '{}'", $peer_addr);
+            $framed.send(Message::Disconnect(Disconnect { reason: reason.clone() })).await?;
+            return Err(error(format!("Dropped '{}' for reason: {reason:?}", $peer_addr)));
+        }
+    };
+}
+
 impl<N: Network> Router<N> {
-    /// Performs the handshake protocol.
+    /// Executes the handshake protocol.
     pub async fn handshake<'a>(
         &'a self,
         peer_addr: SocketAddr,
@@ -58,133 +101,162 @@ impl<N: Network> Router<N> {
             debug!("Received a connection request from '{peer_addr}'");
             None
         } else {
+            debug!("Connecting to {peer_addr}...");
             Some(peer_addr)
         };
 
         // Perform the handshake; we pass on a mutable reference to peer_ip in case the process is broken at any point in time.
-        let handshake_result = self.handshake_inner(peer_addr, &mut peer_ip, stream, peer_side, genesis_header).await;
+        let mut handshake_result = if peer_side == ConnectionSide::Responder {
+            self.handshake_inner_initiator(peer_addr, &mut peer_ip, stream, genesis_header).await
+        } else {
+            self.handshake_inner_responder(peer_addr, &mut peer_ip, stream, genesis_header).await
+        };
 
         // Remove the address from the collection of connecting peers (if the handshake got to the point where it's known).
         if let Some(ip) = peer_ip {
             self.connecting_peers.lock().remove(&ip);
         }
 
+        // If the handshake succeeded, announce it and increase the message size limit.
+        if let Ok((ref peer_ip, ref mut framed)) = handshake_result {
+            info!("Connected to '{peer_ip}'");
+            framed.codec_mut().update_max_message_len();
+        }
+
         handshake_result
     }
 
-    /// A helper that facilitates some extra error handling in `Router::handshake`.
-    async fn handshake_inner<'a>(
+    /// The connection initiator side of the handshake.
+    async fn handshake_inner_initiator<'a>(
         &'a self,
         peer_addr: SocketAddr,
         peer_ip: &mut Option<SocketAddr>,
         stream: &'a mut TcpStream,
-        peer_side: ConnectionSide,
         genesis_header: Header<N>,
     ) -> io::Result<(SocketAddr, Framed<&mut TcpStream, MessageCodec<N>>)> {
         // Construct the stream.
         let mut framed = Framed::new(stream, MessageCodec::<N>::default());
 
+        // This value is immediately guaranteed to be present, so it can be unwrapped.
+        let peer_ip = peer_ip.unwrap();
+
         /* Step 1: Send the challenge request. */
 
         // Initialize an RNG.
         let rng = &mut OsRng;
         // Sample a random nonce.
-        let nonce_a = rng.gen();
+        let our_nonce = rng.gen();
 
         // Send a challenge request to the peer.
-        let message_a = Message::<N>::ChallengeRequest(ChallengeRequest {
-            version: Message::<N>::VERSION,
-            listener_port: self.local_ip().port(),
-            node_type: self.node_type,
-            address: self.address(),
-            nonce: nonce_a,
-        });
-        trace!("Sending '{}-A' to '{peer_addr}'", message_a.name());
-        framed.send(message_a).await?;
-
-        /* Step 2: Receive the challenge request. */
+        let our_request = ChallengeRequest::new(self.local_ip().port(), self.node_type, self.address(), our_nonce);
+        trace!("Sending '{}' to '{peer_addr}'", our_request.name());
+        framed.send(Message::ChallengeRequest(our_request)).await?;
+
+        /* Step 2: Receive the peer's challenge response followed by the challenge request. */
+
+        // Listen for the challenge response message.
+        let peer_response = expect_message!(Message::ChallengeResponse, framed, peer_addr);
 
         // Listen for the challenge request message.
-        let request_b = match framed.try_next().await? {
-            // Received the challenge request message, proceed.
-            Some(Message::ChallengeRequest(data)) => data,
-            // Received a disconnect message, abort.
-            Some(Message::Disconnect(reason)) => return Err(error(format!("'{peer_addr}' disconnected: {reason:?}"))),
-            // Received an unexpected message, abort.
-            _ => return Err(error(format!("'{peer_addr}' did not send a challenge request"))),
-        };
-        trace!("Received '{}-B' from '{peer_addr}'", request_b.name());
+        let peer_request = expect_message!(Message::ChallengeRequest, framed, peer_addr);
 
-        // Obtain the peer's listening address if it's an inbound connection.
-        if peer_ip.is_none() {
-            *peer_ip = Some(SocketAddr::new(peer_addr.ip(), request_b.listener_port));
-        }
+        // Verify the challenge response. If a disconnect reason was returned, send the disconnect message and abort.
+        handle_verification!(
+            self.verify_challenge_response(peer_addr, peer_request.address, peer_response, genesis_header, our_nonce)
+                .await,
+            framed,
+            peer_addr
+        );
+
+        // Verify the challenge request. If a disconnect reason was returned, send the disconnect message and abort.
+        handle_verification!(self.verify_challenge_request(peer_addr, &peer_request), framed, peer_addr);
+
+        /* Step 3: Send the challenge response. */
+
+        // Sign the counterparty nonce.
+        let our_signature = self
+            .account
+            .sign_bytes(&peer_request.nonce.to_le_bytes(), rng)
+            .map_err(|_| error(format!("Failed to sign the challenge request nonce from '{peer_addr}'")))?;
 
-        // This value is now guaranteed to be present, so it can be unwrapped.
+        // Send the challenge response.
+        let our_response = ChallengeResponse { genesis_header, signature: Data::Object(our_signature) };
+        trace!("Sending '{}' to '{peer_addr}'", our_response.name());
+        framed.send(Message::ChallengeResponse(our_response)).await?;
+
+        // Add the peer to the router.
+        self.insert_connected_peer(Peer::new(peer_ip, &peer_request), peer_addr);
+
+        Ok((peer_ip, framed))
+    }
+
+    /// The connection responder side of the handshake.
+    async fn handshake_inner_responder<'a>(
+        &'a self,
+        peer_addr: SocketAddr,
+        peer_ip: &mut Option<SocketAddr>,
+        stream: &'a mut TcpStream,
+        genesis_header: Header<N>,
+    ) -> io::Result<(SocketAddr, Framed<&mut TcpStream, MessageCodec<N>>)> {
+        // Construct the stream.
+        let mut framed = Framed::new(stream, MessageCodec::<N>::default());
+
+        /* Step 1: Receive the challenge request. */
+
+        // Listen for the challenge request message.
+        let peer_request = expect_message!(Message::ChallengeRequest, framed, peer_addr);
+
+        // Obtain the peer's listening address.
+        *peer_ip = Some(SocketAddr::new(peer_addr.ip(), peer_request.listener_port));
         let peer_ip = peer_ip.unwrap();
 
         // Knowing the peer's listening address, ensure it is allowed to connect.
-        if peer_side == ConnectionSide::Initiator {
-            if let Err(forbidden_message) = self.ensure_peer_is_allowed(peer_ip) {
-                return Err(error(format!("{forbidden_message}")));
-            }
+        if let Err(forbidden_message) = self.ensure_peer_is_allowed(peer_ip) {
+            return Err(error(format!("{forbidden_message}")));
         }
 
         // Verify the challenge request. If a disconnect reason was returned, send the disconnect message and abort.
-        if let Some(reason) = self.verify_challenge_request(peer_addr, &request_b) {
-            trace!("Sending 'Disconnect' to '{peer_addr}'");
-            framed.send(Message::Disconnect(Disconnect { reason: reason.clone() })).await?;
-            return Err(error(format!("Dropped '{peer_addr}' for reason: {reason:?}")));
-        }
+        handle_verification!(self.verify_challenge_request(peer_addr, &peer_request), framed, peer_addr);
 
-        /* Step 3: Send the challenge response. */
+        /* Step 2: Send the challenge response followed by own challenge request. */
+
+        // Initialize an RNG.
+        let rng = &mut OsRng;
 
         // Sign the counterparty nonce.
-        let signature_b = self
+        let our_signature = self
             .account
-            .sign_bytes(&request_b.nonce.to_le_bytes(), rng)
+            .sign_bytes(&peer_request.nonce.to_le_bytes(), rng)
             .map_err(|_| error(format!("Failed to sign the challenge request nonce from '{peer_addr}'")))?;
 
+        // Sample a random nonce.
+        let our_nonce = rng.gen();
+
         // Send the challenge response.
-        let message_b =
-            Message::ChallengeResponse(ChallengeResponse { genesis_header, signature: Data::Object(signature_b) });
-        trace!("Sending '{}-B' to '{peer_addr}'", message_b.name());
-        framed.send(message_b).await?;
+        let our_response = ChallengeResponse { genesis_header, signature: Data::Object(our_signature) };
+        trace!("Sending '{}' to '{peer_addr}'", our_response.name());
+        framed.send(Message::ChallengeResponse(our_response)).await?;
+
+        // Send the challenge request.
+        let our_request = ChallengeRequest::new(self.local_ip().port(), self.node_type, self.address(), our_nonce);
+        trace!("Sending '{}' to '{peer_addr}'", our_request.name());
+        framed.send(Message::ChallengeRequest(our_request)).await?;
 
-        /* Step 4: Receive the challenge response. */
+        /* Step 3: Receive the challenge response. */
 
         // Listen for the challenge response message.
-        let response_a = match framed.try_next().await? {
-            // Received the challenge response message, proceed.
-            Some(Message::ChallengeResponse(data)) => data,
-            // Received a disconnect message, abort.
-            Some(Message::Disconnect(reason)) => return Err(error(format!("'{peer_addr}' disconnected: {reason:?}"))),
-            // Received an unexpected message, abort.
-            _ => return Err(error(format!("'{peer_addr}' did not send a challenge response"))),
-        };
-        trace!("Received '{}-A' from '{peer_addr}'", response_a.name());
+        let peer_response = expect_message!(Message::ChallengeResponse, framed, peer_addr);
 
         // Verify the challenge response. If a disconnect reason was returned, send the disconnect message and abort.
-        if let Some(reason) =
-            self.verify_challenge_response(peer_addr, request_b.address, response_a, genesis_header, nonce_a).await
-        {
-            trace!("Sending 'Disconnect' to '{peer_addr}'");
-            framed.send(Message::Disconnect(Disconnect { reason: reason.clone() })).await?;
-            return Err(error(format!("Dropped '{peer_addr}' for reason: {reason:?}")));
-        }
-
-        /* Step 5: Add the peer to the router. */
-
-        // Prepare the peer.
-        let peer_address = request_b.address;
-        let peer_type = request_b.node_type;
-        let peer_version = request_b.version;
-
-        // Construct the peer.
-        let peer = Peer::new(peer_ip, peer_address, peer_type, peer_version);
-        // Insert the connected peer in the router.
-        self.insert_connected_peer(peer, peer_addr);
-        info!("Connected to '{peer_ip}'");
+        handle_verification!(
+            self.verify_challenge_response(peer_addr, peer_request.address, peer_response, genesis_header, our_nonce)
+                .await,
+            framed,
+            peer_addr
+        );
+
+        // Add the peer to the router.
+        self.insert_connected_peer(Peer::new(peer_ip, &peer_request), peer_addr);
 
         Ok((peer_ip, framed))
     }
diff --git a/node/router/src/helpers/cache.rs b/node/router/src/helpers/cache.rs
index bd8494bd82..1f9334464e 100644
--- a/node/router/src/helpers/cache.rs
+++ b/node/router/src/helpers/cache.rs
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ use parking_lot::RwLock;
 use std::{
     collections::VecDeque,
     net::{IpAddr, SocketAddr},
-    sync::atomic::{AtomicU16, Ordering::SeqCst},
 };
 use time::{Duration, OffsetDateTime};
 
@@ -51,7 +50,7 @@ pub struct Cache<N: Network> {
     /// The map of peer IPs to their block requests.
     seen_outbound_block_requests: RwLock<IndexMap<SocketAddr, IndexSet<BlockRequest>>>,
     /// The map of peer IPs to the number of puzzle requests.
-    seen_outbound_puzzle_requests: RwLock<IndexMap<SocketAddr, AtomicU16>>,
+    seen_outbound_puzzle_requests: RwLock<IndexMap<SocketAddr, u16>>,
     /// The map of solution commitments to their last seen timestamp.
     seen_outbound_solutions: RwLock<LinkedHashMap<SolutionKey<N>, OffsetDateTime>>,
     /// The map of transaction IDs to their last seen timestamp.
@@ -131,12 +130,10 @@ impl<N: Network> Cache<N> {
         requests.len()
     }
 
-    /// Removes the block request for the given peer IP, returning the number of remaining requests.
-    pub fn remove_outbound_block_request(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr, request: &BlockRequest) -> usize {
+    /// Removes the block request for the given peer IP, returning `true` if the request was present.
+    pub fn remove_outbound_block_request(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr, request: &BlockRequest) -> bool {
         let mut map_write = self.seen_outbound_block_requests.write();
-        let requests = map_write.entry(peer_ip).or_default();
-        requests.remove(request);
-        requests.len()
+        if let Some(requests) = map_write.get_mut(&peer_ip) { requests.remove(request) } else { false }
     }
 
     /// Returns `true` if the cache contains a puzzle request from the given peer.
@@ -180,15 +177,16 @@ impl<N: Network> Cache<N> {
         key: K,
         interval_in_secs: i64,
     ) -> usize {
+        // Fetch the current timestamp.
+        let now = OffsetDateTime::now_utc();
+
         let mut map_write = map.write();
         // Load the entry for the key.
         let timestamps = map_write.entry(key).or_default();
-        // Fetch the current timestamp.
-        let now = OffsetDateTime::now_utc();
         // Insert the new timestamp.
         timestamps.push_back(now);
         // Retain only the timestamps that are within the recent interval.
-        while timestamps.iter().next().map_or(false, |t| now - *t > Duration::seconds(interval_in_secs)) {
+        while timestamps.front().map_or(false, |t| now - *t > Duration::seconds(interval_in_secs)) {
             timestamps.pop_front();
         }
         // Return the frequency of recent requests.
@@ -196,23 +194,23 @@ impl<N: Network> Cache<N> {
     }
 
     /// Increments the key's counter in the map, returning the updated counter.
-    fn increment_counter<K: Hash + Eq>(map: &RwLock<IndexMap<K, AtomicU16>>, key: K) -> u16 {
+    fn increment_counter<K: Hash + Eq>(map: &RwLock<IndexMap<K, u16>>, key: K) -> u16 {
+        let mut map_write = map.write();
         // Load the entry for the key, and increment the counter.
-        let previous_entry = map.write().entry(key).or_default().fetch_add(1, SeqCst);
+        let entry = map_write.entry(key).or_default();
+        *entry = entry.saturating_add(1);
         // Return the updated counter.
-        previous_entry.saturating_add(1)
+        *entry
     }
 
     /// Decrements the key's counter in the map, returning the updated counter.
-    fn decrement_counter<K: Hash + Eq>(map: &RwLock<IndexMap<K, AtomicU16>>, key: K) -> u16 {
+    fn decrement_counter<K: Hash + Eq>(map: &RwLock<IndexMap<K, u16>>, key: K) -> u16 {
         let mut map_write = map.write();
-        // Load the entry for the key.
+        // Load the entry for the key, and decrement the counter.
         let entry = map_write.entry(key).or_default();
-        // Conditionally decrement the counter.
-        match entry.load(SeqCst) > 0 {
-            true => entry.fetch_sub(1, SeqCst).saturating_sub(1),
-            false => 0,
-        }
+        *entry = entry.saturating_sub(1);
+        // Return the updated counter.
+        *entry
     }
 
     /// Updates the map by enforcing the maximum cache size.
diff --git a/node/router/src/helpers/peer.rs b/node/router/src/helpers/peer.rs
index d51807ffdd..9b2c8549bb 100644
--- a/node/router/src/helpers/peer.rs
+++ b/node/router/src/helpers/peer.rs
@@ -14,11 +14,10 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with the snarkOS library. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-use snarkos_node_messages::NodeType;
+use snarkos_node_messages::{ChallengeRequest, NodeType};
 use snarkvm::prelude::{Address, Network};
 
-use parking_lot::RwLock;
-use std::{net::SocketAddr, sync::Arc, time::Instant};
+use std::{net::SocketAddr, time::Instant};
 
 /// The state for each connected peer.
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
@@ -34,19 +33,19 @@ pub struct Peer<N: Network> {
     /// The timestamp of the first message received from the peer.
     first_seen: Instant,
     /// The timestamp of the last message received from this peer.
-    last_seen: Arc<RwLock<Instant>>,
+    last_seen: Instant,
 }
 
 impl<N: Network> Peer<N> {
     /// Initializes a new instance of `Peer`.
-    pub fn new(listening_ip: SocketAddr, address: Address<N>, node_type: NodeType, version: u32) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(listening_ip: SocketAddr, challenge_request: &ChallengeRequest<N>) -> Self {
         Self {
             peer_ip: listening_ip,
-            address,
-            node_type,
-            version,
+            address: challenge_request.address,
+            node_type: challenge_request.node_type,
+            version: challenge_request.version,
             first_seen: Instant::now(),
-            last_seen: Arc::new(RwLock::new(Instant::now())),
+            last_seen: Instant::now(),
         }
     }
 
@@ -97,7 +96,7 @@ impl<N: Network> Peer<N> {
 
     /// Returns the last seen timestamp of the peer.
     pub fn last_seen(&self) -> Instant {
-        *self.last_seen.read()
+        self.last_seen
     }
 }
 
@@ -113,7 +112,7 @@ impl<N: Network> Peer<N> {
     }
 
     /// Updates the last seen timestamp of the peer.
-    pub fn set_last_seen(&self, last_seen: Instant) {
-        *self.last_seen.write() = last_seen;
+    pub fn set_last_seen(&mut self, last_seen: Instant) {
+        self.last_seen = last_seen;
     }
 }
diff --git a/node/router/src/helpers/sync.rs b/node/router/src/helpers/sync.rs
index cff1d82a73..17d2edc0ec 100644
--- a/node/router/src/helpers/sync.rs
+++ b/node/router/src/helpers/sync.rs
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ impl<N: Network> Sync<N> {
         self.locators.read().iter().map(|(peer_ip, locators)| (locators.latest_locator_height(), *peer_ip)).fold(
             Default::default(),
             |mut map, (height, peer_ip)| {
-                map.entry(height).or_insert_with(Vec::new).push(peer_ip);
+                map.entry(height).or_default().push(peer_ip);
                 map
             },
         )
diff --git a/node/router/src/inbound.rs b/node/router/src/inbound.rs
index bc6b0eab38..451ef66a81 100644
--- a/node/router/src/inbound.rs
+++ b/node/router/src/inbound.rs
@@ -23,12 +23,11 @@ use snarkos_node_messages::{
     PeerResponse,
     Ping,
     Pong,
-    PuzzleResponse,
     UnconfirmedSolution,
     UnconfirmedTransaction,
 };
 use snarkos_node_tcp::protocols::Reading;
-use snarkvm::prelude::{Block, Header, Network, ProverSolution, Transaction};
+use snarkvm::prelude::{Block, EpochChallenge, Header, Network, ProverSolution, Transaction};
 
 use anyhow::{bail, ensure, Result};
 use std::{net::SocketAddr, time::Instant};
@@ -126,12 +125,10 @@ pub trait Inbound<N: Network>: Reading + Outbound<N> {
             Message::BlockResponse(message) => {
                 let request = message.request;
 
-                // Check that this node previously sent a block request to this peer.
-                if !self.router().cache.contains_outbound_block_request(&peer_ip, &request) {
+                // Remove the block request, checking if this node previously sent a block request to this peer.
+                if !self.router().cache.remove_outbound_block_request(peer_ip, &request) {
                     bail!("Peer '{peer_ip}' is not following the protocol (unexpected block response)")
                 }
-                // Remove the block request.
-                self.router().cache.remove_outbound_block_request(peer_ip, &request);
 
                 // Perform the deferred non-blocking deserialization of the blocks.
                 let blocks = match message.blocks.deserialize().await {
@@ -204,15 +201,13 @@ pub trait Inbound<N: Network>: Reading + Outbound<N> {
                 // Decrement the number of puzzle requests.
                 self.router().cache.decrement_outbound_puzzle_requests(peer_ip);
 
-                // Clone the serialized message.
-                let serialized = message.clone();
                 // Perform the deferred non-blocking deserialization of the block header.
                 let header = match message.block_header.deserialize().await {
                     Ok(header) => header,
                     Err(error) => bail!("[PuzzleResponse] {error}"),
                 };
                 // Process the puzzle response.
-                match self.puzzle_response(peer_ip, serialized, header) {
+                match self.puzzle_response(peer_ip, message.epoch_challenge, header) {
                     true => Ok(()),
                     false => bail!("Peer '{peer_ip}' sent an invalid puzzle response"),
                 }
@@ -385,7 +380,7 @@ pub trait Inbound<N: Network>: Reading + Outbound<N> {
     fn puzzle_request(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr) -> bool;
 
     /// Handles a `PuzzleResponse` message.
-    fn puzzle_response(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr, _serialized: PuzzleResponse<N>, _header: Header<N>) -> bool;
+    fn puzzle_response(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr, _challenge: EpochChallenge<N>, _header: Header<N>) -> bool;
 
     /// Handles an `UnconfirmedSolution` message.
     async fn unconfirmed_solution(
diff --git a/node/router/src/lib.rs b/node/router/src/lib.rs
index 7cc6bb4c7b..42974006a7 100644
--- a/node/router/src/lib.rs
+++ b/node/router/src/lib.rs
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ pub struct InnerRouter<N: Network> {
     /// The set of restricted peer IPs.
     restricted_peers: RwLock<IndexMap<SocketAddr, Instant>>,
     /// The spawned handles.
-    handles: RwLock<Vec<JoinHandle<()>>>,
+    handles: Mutex<Vec<JoinHandle<()>>>,
     /// The boolean flag for the development mode.
     is_dev: bool,
 }
@@ -145,7 +145,6 @@ impl<N: Network> Router<N> {
         let router = self.clone();
         tokio::spawn(async move {
             // Attempt to connect to the candidate peer.
-            debug!("Connecting to {peer_ip}...");
             match router.tcp.connect(peer_ip).await {
                 // Remove the peer from the candidate peers.
                 Ok(()) => router.remove_candidate_peer(peer_ip),
@@ -407,14 +406,15 @@ impl<N: Network> Router<N> {
 
     /// Inserts the given peer into the connected peers.
     pub fn insert_connected_peer(&self, peer: Peer<N>, peer_addr: SocketAddr) {
+        let peer_ip = peer.ip();
         // Adds a bidirectional map between the listener address and (ambiguous) peer address.
-        self.resolver.insert_peer(peer.ip(), peer_addr);
+        self.resolver.insert_peer(peer_ip, peer_addr);
         // Add an entry for this `Peer` in the connected peers.
-        self.connected_peers.write().insert(peer.ip(), peer.clone());
+        self.connected_peers.write().insert(peer_ip, peer);
         // Remove this peer from the candidate peers, if it exists.
-        self.candidate_peers.write().remove(&peer.ip());
+        self.candidate_peers.write().remove(&peer_ip);
         // Remove this peer from the restricted peers, if it exists.
-        self.restricted_peers.write().remove(&peer.ip());
+        self.restricted_peers.write().remove(&peer_ip);
     }
 
     /// Inserts the given peer IPs to the set of candidate peers.
@@ -489,14 +489,14 @@ impl<N: Network> Router<N> {
 
     /// Spawns a task with the given future; it should only be used for long-running tasks.
     pub fn spawn<T: Future<Output = ()> + Send + 'static>(&self, future: T) {
-        self.handles.write().push(tokio::spawn(future));
+        self.handles.lock().push(tokio::spawn(future));
     }
 
     /// Shuts down the router.
     pub async fn shut_down(&self) {
         trace!("Shutting down the router...");
         // Abort the tasks.
-        self.handles.read().iter().for_each(|handle| handle.abort());
+        self.handles.lock().iter().for_each(|handle| handle.abort());
         // Close the listener.
         self.tcp.shut_down().await;
     }
diff --git a/node/router/src/outbound.rs b/node/router/src/outbound.rs
index 770b5073b5..f3057993da 100644
--- a/node/router/src/outbound.rs
+++ b/node/router/src/outbound.rs
@@ -29,14 +29,7 @@ pub trait Outbound<N: Network>: Writing<Message = Message<N>> {
 
     /// Sends a "Ping" message to the given peer.
     fn send_ping(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr, block_locators: Option<BlockLocators<N>>) {
-        self.send(
-            peer_ip,
-            Message::Ping(Ping::<N> {
-                version: Message::<N>::VERSION,
-                node_type: self.router().node_type(),
-                block_locators,
-            }),
-        );
+        self.send(peer_ip, Message::Ping(Ping::new(self.router().node_type(), block_locators)));
     }
 
     /// Sends the given message to specified peer.
@@ -80,7 +73,7 @@ pub trait Outbound<N: Network>: Writing<Message = Message<N>> {
     }
 
     /// Sends the given message to every connected peer, excluding the sender and any specified peer IPs.
-    fn propagate(&self, message: Message<N>, excluded_peers: Vec<SocketAddr>) {
+    fn propagate(&self, message: Message<N>, excluded_peers: &[SocketAddr]) {
         // TODO (howardwu): Serialize large messages once only.
         // // Perform ahead-of-time, non-blocking serialization just once for applicable objects.
         // if let Message::BeaconPropose(ref mut message) = message {
@@ -104,22 +97,17 @@ pub trait Outbound<N: Network>: Writing<Message = Message<N>> {
         // }
 
         // Prepare the peers to send to.
-        let peers = self
-            .router()
-            .connected_peers()
-            .iter()
-            .filter(|peer_ip| !self.router().is_local_ip(peer_ip) && !excluded_peers.contains(peer_ip))
-            .copied()
-            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+        let connected_peers = self.router().connected_peers();
+        let peers = connected_peers.iter().filter(|peer_ip| !excluded_peers.contains(peer_ip));
 
         // Iterate through all peers that are not the sender and excluded peers.
         for peer_ip in peers {
-            self.send(peer_ip, message.clone());
+            self.send(*peer_ip, message.clone());
         }
     }
 
     /// Sends the given message to every connected beacon, excluding the sender and any specified IPs.
-    fn propagate_to_beacons(&self, message: Message<N>, excluded_peers: Vec<SocketAddr>) {
+    fn propagate_to_beacons(&self, message: Message<N>, excluded_peers: &[SocketAddr]) {
         // TODO (howardwu): Serialize large messages once only.
         // // Perform ahead-of-time, non-blocking serialization just once for applicable objects.
         // if let Message::BeaconPropose(ref mut message) = message {
@@ -143,22 +131,17 @@ pub trait Outbound<N: Network>: Writing<Message = Message<N>> {
         // }
 
         // Prepare the peers to send to.
-        let peers = self
-            .router()
-            .connected_beacons()
-            .iter()
-            .filter(|peer_ip| !self.router().is_local_ip(peer_ip) && !excluded_peers.contains(peer_ip))
-            .copied()
-            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+        let connected_beacons = self.router().connected_beacons();
+        let peers = connected_beacons.iter().filter(|peer_ip| !excluded_peers.contains(peer_ip));
 
         // Iterate through all beacons that are not the sender and excluded beacons.
         for peer_ip in peers {
-            self.send(peer_ip, message.clone());
+            self.send(*peer_ip, message.clone());
         }
     }
 
     /// Sends the given message to every connected validator, excluding the sender and any specified IPs.
-    fn propagate_to_validators(&self, message: Message<N>, excluded_peers: Vec<SocketAddr>) {
+    fn propagate_to_validators(&self, message: Message<N>, excluded_peers: &[SocketAddr]) {
         // TODO (howardwu): Serialize large messages once only.
         // // Perform ahead-of-time, non-blocking serialization just once for applicable objects.
         // if let Message::BeaconPropose(ref mut message) = message {
@@ -182,17 +165,12 @@ pub trait Outbound<N: Network>: Writing<Message = Message<N>> {
         // }
 
         // Prepare the peers to send to.
-        let peers = self
-            .router()
-            .connected_validators()
-            .iter()
-            .filter(|peer_ip| !self.router().is_local_ip(peer_ip) && !excluded_peers.contains(peer_ip))
-            .copied()
-            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+        let connected_validators = self.router().connected_validators();
+        let peers = connected_validators.iter().filter(|peer_ip| !excluded_peers.contains(peer_ip));
 
         // Iterate through all beacons that are not the sender and excluded beacons.
         for peer_ip in peers {
-            self.send(peer_ip, message.clone());
+            self.send(*peer_ip, message.clone());
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/node/router/tests/common/router.rs b/node/router/tests/common/router.rs
index 4cf3dfa087..2f35e2a308 100644
--- a/node/router/tests/common/router.rs
+++ b/node/router/tests/common/router.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ use snarkos_node_messages::{
     MessageCodec,
     Ping,
     Pong,
-    PuzzleResponse,
     UnconfirmedSolution,
     UnconfirmedTransaction,
 };
@@ -34,7 +33,7 @@ use snarkos_node_tcp::{
     Tcp,
     P2P,
 };
-use snarkvm::prelude::{Block, Header, Network, ProverSolution, Transaction};
+use snarkvm::prelude::{Block, EpochChallenge, Header, Network, ProverSolution, Transaction};
 
 use async_trait::async_trait;
 use futures_util::sink::SinkExt;
@@ -77,11 +76,7 @@ impl<N: Network> Handshake for TestRouter<N> {
         let (peer_ip, mut framed) = self.router().handshake(peer_addr, stream, conn_side, genesis_header).await?;
 
         // Send the first `Ping` message to the peer.
-        let message = Message::Ping(Ping::<N> {
-            version: Message::<N>::VERSION,
-            node_type: self.node_type(),
-            block_locators: None,
-        });
+        let message = Message::Ping(Ping::new(self.node_type(), None));
         trace!("Sending '{}' to '{peer_ip}'", message.name());
         framed.send(message).await?;
 
@@ -170,7 +165,7 @@ impl<N: Network> Inbound<N> for TestRouter<N> {
     }
 
     /// Handles an `PuzzleResponse` message.
-    fn puzzle_response(&self, _peer_ip: SocketAddr, _serialized: PuzzleResponse<N>, _header: Header<N>) -> bool {
+    fn puzzle_response(&self, _peer_ip: SocketAddr, _epoch_challenge: EpochChallenge<N>, _header: Header<N>) -> bool {
         true
     }
 
diff --git a/node/router/tests/connect.rs b/node/router/tests/connect.rs
index e30af6e301..e511283e4c 100644
--- a/node/router/tests/connect.rs
+++ b/node/router/tests/connect.rs
@@ -23,8 +23,6 @@ use core::time::Duration;
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn test_connect_without_handshake() {
-    initialize_logger(3);
-
     // Create 2 routers.
     let node0 = validator(0, 2).await;
     let node1 = client(0, 2).await;
@@ -81,8 +79,6 @@ async fn test_connect_without_handshake() {
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn test_connect_with_handshake() {
-    initialize_logger(3);
-
     // Create 2 routers.
     let node0 = validator(0, 2).await;
     let node1 = client(0, 2).await;
@@ -159,8 +155,6 @@ async fn test_connect_with_handshake() {
 #[ignore]
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn test_connect_simultaneously_with_handshake() {
-    initialize_logger(3);
-
     // Create 2 routers.
     let node0 = validator(0, 2).await;
     let node1 = client(0, 2).await;
diff --git a/node/router/tests/disconnect.rs b/node/router/tests/disconnect.rs
index bf30a335b5..3fd5aefa89 100644
--- a/node/router/tests/disconnect.rs
+++ b/node/router/tests/disconnect.rs
@@ -23,8 +23,6 @@ use core::time::Duration;
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn test_disconnect_without_handshake() {
-    initialize_logger(3);
-
     // Create 2 routers.
     let node0 = validator(0, 1).await;
     let node1 = client(0, 1).await;
@@ -67,8 +65,6 @@ async fn test_disconnect_without_handshake() {
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn test_disconnect_with_handshake() {
-    initialize_logger(3);
-
     // Create 2 routers.
     let node0 = validator(0, 1).await;
     let node1 = client(0, 1).await;
diff --git a/node/src/beacon/mod.rs b/node/src/beacon/mod.rs
index d417f1763d..5402993bd5 100644
--- a/node/src/beacon/mod.rs
+++ b/node/src/beacon/mod.rs
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ use ::time::OffsetDateTime;
 use aleo_std::prelude::{finish, lap, timer};
 use anyhow::{bail, Result};
 use core::{str::FromStr, time::Duration};
-use parking_lot::RwLock;
+use parking_lot::{Mutex, RwLock};
 use std::{
     net::SocketAddr,
     sync::{
@@ -76,13 +76,13 @@ pub struct Beacon<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> {
     /// The router of the node.
     router: Router<N>,
     /// The REST server of the node.
-    rest: Option<Arc<Rest<N, C, Self>>>,
+    rest: Option<Rest<N, C, Self>>,
     /// The time it to generate a block.
     block_generation_time: Arc<AtomicU64>,
     /// The unspent records.
     unspent_records: Arc<RwLock<RecordMap<N>>>,
     /// The spawned handles.
-    handles: Arc<RwLock<Vec<JoinHandle<()>>>>,
+    handles: Arc<Mutex<Vec<JoinHandle<()>>>>,
     /// The shutdown signal.
     shutdown: Arc<AtomicBool>,
 }
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Beacon<N, C> {
 
         // Initialize the REST server.
         if let Some(rest_ip) = rest_ip {
-            node.rest = Some(Arc::new(Rest::start(rest_ip, Some(consensus), ledger, Arc::new(node.clone()))?));
+            node.rest = Some(Rest::start(rest_ip, Some(consensus), ledger, Arc::new(node.clone()))?);
             lap!(timer, "Initialize REST server");
         }
         // Initialize the routing.
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Beacon<N, C> {
     }
 
     /// Returns the REST server.
-    pub fn rest(&self) -> &Option<Arc<Rest<N, C, Self>>> {
+    pub fn rest(&self) -> &Option<Rest<N, C, Self>> {
         &self.rest
     }
 }
@@ -186,11 +186,11 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> NodeInterface<N> for Beacon<N, C> {
 
         // Shut down block production.
         trace!("Shutting down block production...");
-        self.shutdown.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        self.shutdown.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
 
         // Abort the tasks.
         trace!("Shutting down the beacon...");
-        self.handles.read().iter().for_each(|handle| handle.abort());
+        self.handles.lock().iter().for_each(|handle| handle.abort());
 
         // Shut down the router.
         self.router.shut_down().await;
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Beacon<N, C> {
     /// Initialize a new instance of block production.
     async fn initialize_block_production(&self) {
         let beacon = self.clone();
-        self.handles.write().push(tokio::spawn(async move {
+        self.handles.lock().push(tokio::spawn(async move {
             // Expected time per block.
             const ROUND_TIME: u64 = 15; // 15 seconds per block
 
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Beacon<N, C> {
 
                 // Do not produce a block if the elapsed time has not exceeded `ROUND_TIME - block_generation_time`.
                 // This will ensure a block is produced at intervals of approximately `ROUND_TIME`.
-                let time_to_wait = ROUND_TIME.saturating_sub(beacon.block_generation_time.load(Ordering::SeqCst));
+                let time_to_wait = ROUND_TIME.saturating_sub(beacon.block_generation_time.load(Ordering::Acquire));
                 trace!("Waiting for {time_to_wait} seconds before producing a block...");
                 if elapsed_time < time_to_wait {
                     if let Err(error) = timeout(
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Beacon<N, C> {
                 // Produce the next block and propagate it to all peers.
                 match beacon.produce_next_block().await {
                     // Update the block generation time.
-                    Ok(()) => beacon.block_generation_time.store(timer.elapsed().as_secs(), Ordering::SeqCst),
+                    Ok(()) => beacon.block_generation_time.store(timer.elapsed().as_secs(), Ordering::Release),
                     Err(error) => error!("{error}"),
                 }
 
@@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Beacon<N, C> {
         ));
 
         // Propagate the block to all beacons.
-        self.propagate_to_beacons(message, vec![]);
+        self.propagate_to_beacons(message, &[]);
 
         Ok(())
     }
diff --git a/node/src/beacon/router.rs b/node/src/beacon/router.rs
index 345308dd67..b3c358edbd 100644
--- a/node/src/beacon/router.rs
+++ b/node/src/beacon/router.rs
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ use snarkos_node_messages::{
 };
 use snarkos_node_router::Routing;
 use snarkos_node_tcp::{Connection, ConnectionSide, Tcp};
-use snarkvm::prelude::{error, Header};
+use snarkvm::prelude::{error, EpochChallenge, Header};
 
 use futures_util::sink::SinkExt;
 use std::{io, net::SocketAddr};
@@ -61,8 +61,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Handshake for Beacon<N, C> {
         };
 
         // Send the first `Ping` message to the peer.
-        let message =
-            Message::Ping(Ping::<N> { version: Message::<N>::VERSION, node_type: self.node_type(), block_locators });
+        let message = Message::Ping(Ping::new(self.node_type(), block_locators));
         trace!("Sending '{}' to '{peer_ip}'", message.name());
         framed.send(message).await?;
 
@@ -222,7 +221,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Inbound<N> for Beacon<N, C> {
     }
 
     /// Disconnects on receipt of a `PuzzleResponse` message.
-    fn puzzle_response(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr, _serialized: PuzzleResponse<N>, _header: Header<N>) -> bool {
+    fn puzzle_response(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr, _epoch_challenge: EpochChallenge<N>, _header: Header<N>) -> bool {
         debug!("Disconnecting '{peer_ip}' for the following reason - {:?}", DisconnectReason::ProtocolViolation);
         false
     }
@@ -241,7 +240,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Inbound<N> for Beacon<N, C> {
         }
         let message = Message::UnconfirmedSolution(serialized);
         // Propagate the "UnconfirmedSolution" to the connected beacons.
-        self.propagate_to_beacons(message, vec![peer_ip]);
+        self.propagate_to_beacons(message, &[peer_ip]);
         true
     }
 
@@ -259,7 +258,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Inbound<N> for Beacon<N, C> {
         }
         let message = Message::UnconfirmedTransaction(serialized);
         // Propagate the "UnconfirmedTransaction" to the connected beacons.
-        self.propagate_to_beacons(message, vec![peer_ip]);
+        self.propagate_to_beacons(message, &[peer_ip]);
         true
     }
 }
diff --git a/node/src/client/mod.rs b/node/src/client/mod.rs
index 14899a470c..cec86f4011 100644
--- a/node/src/client/mod.rs
+++ b/node/src/client/mod.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ mod router;
 
 use crate::traits::NodeInterface;
 use snarkos_account::Account;
-use snarkos_node_messages::{Message, NodeType, PuzzleResponse, UnconfirmedSolution};
+use snarkos_node_messages::{Message, NodeType, UnconfirmedSolution};
 use snarkos_node_router::{Heartbeat, Inbound, Outbound, Router, Routing};
 use snarkos_node_tcp::{
     protocols::{Disconnect, Handshake, Reading, Writing},
diff --git a/node/src/client/router.rs b/node/src/client/router.rs
index 235e3dd53e..35140e321a 100644
--- a/node/src/client/router.rs
+++ b/node/src/client/router.rs
@@ -43,11 +43,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Handshake for Client<N, C> {
         let (peer_ip, mut framed) = self.router.handshake(peer_addr, stream, conn_side, genesis_header).await?;
 
         // Send the first `Ping` message to the peer.
-        let message = Message::Ping(Ping::<N> {
-            version: Message::<N>::VERSION,
-            node_type: self.node_type(),
-            block_locators: None,
-        });
+        let message = Message::Ping(Ping::new(self.node_type(), None));
         trace!("Sending '{}' to '{peer_ip}'", message.name());
         framed.send(message).await?;
 
@@ -152,9 +148,9 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Inbound<N> for Client<N, C> {
     }
 
     /// Saves the latest epoch challenge and latest block header in the node.
-    fn puzzle_response(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr, serialized: PuzzleResponse<N>, header: Header<N>) -> bool {
+    fn puzzle_response(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr, epoch_challenge: EpochChallenge<N>, header: Header<N>) -> bool {
         // Retrieve the epoch number.
-        let epoch_number = serialized.epoch_challenge.epoch_number();
+        let epoch_number = epoch_challenge.epoch_number();
         // Retrieve the block height.
         let block_height = header.height();
 
@@ -165,7 +161,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Inbound<N> for Client<N, C> {
         );
 
         // Save the latest epoch challenge in the node.
-        self.latest_epoch_challenge.write().replace(serialized.epoch_challenge);
+        self.latest_epoch_challenge.write().replace(epoch_challenge);
         // Save the latest block header in the node.
         self.latest_block_header.write().replace(header);
 
@@ -198,7 +194,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Inbound<N> for Client<N, C> {
                 Ok(Ok(true)) => {
                     let message = Message::UnconfirmedSolution(serialized);
                     // Propagate the "UnconfirmedSolution" to the connected validators.
-                    self.propagate_to_validators(message, vec![peer_ip]);
+                    self.propagate_to_validators(message, &[peer_ip]);
                 }
                 Ok(Ok(false)) | Ok(Err(_)) => {
                     trace!("Invalid prover solution '{}' for the proof target.", solution.commitment())
@@ -217,7 +213,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Inbound<N> for Client<N, C> {
         _transaction: Transaction<N>,
     ) -> bool {
         // Propagate the `UnconfirmedTransaction`.
-        self.propagate(Message::UnconfirmedTransaction(serialized), vec![peer_ip]);
+        self.propagate(Message::UnconfirmedTransaction(serialized), &[peer_ip]);
         true
     }
 }
diff --git a/node/src/prover/mod.rs b/node/src/prover/mod.rs
index a0fe95ca53..1c2bc6f121 100644
--- a/node/src/prover/mod.rs
+++ b/node/src/prover/mod.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ mod router;
 
 use crate::traits::NodeInterface;
 use snarkos_account::Account;
-use snarkos_node_messages::{Data, Message, NodeType, PuzzleResponse, UnconfirmedSolution};
+use snarkos_node_messages::{Data, Message, NodeType, UnconfirmedSolution};
 use snarkos_node_router::{Heartbeat, Inbound, Outbound, Router, Routing};
 use snarkos_node_tcp::{
     protocols::{Disconnect, Handshake, Reading, Writing},
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ use snarkvm::prelude::{Block, CoinbasePuzzle, ConsensusStorage, EpochChallenge,
 use anyhow::Result;
 use colored::Colorize;
 use core::{marker::PhantomData, time::Duration};
-use parking_lot::RwLock;
+use parking_lot::{Mutex, RwLock};
 use rand::{rngs::OsRng, CryptoRng, Rng};
 use std::{
     net::SocketAddr,
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ pub struct Prover<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> {
     /// The coinbase puzzle.
     coinbase_puzzle: CoinbasePuzzle<N>,
     /// The latest epoch challenge.
-    latest_epoch_challenge: Arc<RwLock<Option<EpochChallenge<N>>>>,
+    latest_epoch_challenge: Arc<RwLock<Option<Arc<EpochChallenge<N>>>>>,
     /// The latest block header.
     latest_block_header: Arc<RwLock<Option<Header<N>>>>,
     /// The number of puzzle instances.
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ pub struct Prover<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> {
     /// The maximum number of puzzle instances.
     max_puzzle_instances: u8,
     /// The spawned handles.
-    handles: Arc<RwLock<Vec<JoinHandle<()>>>>,
+    handles: Arc<Mutex<Vec<JoinHandle<()>>>>,
     /// The shutdown signal.
     shutdown: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     /// PhantomData.
@@ -120,11 +120,11 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> NodeInterface<N> for Prover<N, C> {
 
         // Shut down the coinbase puzzle.
         trace!("Shutting down the coinbase puzzle...");
-        self.shutdown.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        self.shutdown.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
 
         // Abort the tasks.
         trace!("Shutting down the prover...");
-        self.handles.read().iter().for_each(|handle| handle.abort());
+        self.handles.lock().iter().for_each(|handle| handle.abort());
 
         // Shut down the router.
         self.router.shut_down().await;
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Prover<N, C> {
     async fn initialize_coinbase_puzzle(&self) {
         for _ in 0..self.max_puzzle_instances {
             let prover = self.clone();
-            self.handles.write().push(tokio::spawn(async move {
+            self.handles.lock().push(tokio::spawn(async move {
                 prover.coinbase_puzzle_loop().await;
             }));
         }
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Prover<N, C> {
                 // Execute the coinbase puzzle.
                 let prover = self.clone();
                 let result = tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || {
-                    prover.coinbase_puzzle_iteration(challenge, coinbase_target, proof_target, &mut OsRng)
+                    prover.coinbase_puzzle_iteration(&challenge, coinbase_target, proof_target, &mut OsRng)
                 })
                 .await;
 
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Prover<N, C> {
     /// Performs one iteration of the coinbase puzzle.
     fn coinbase_puzzle_iteration<R: Rng + CryptoRng>(
         &self,
-        epoch_challenge: EpochChallenge<N>,
+        epoch_challenge: &EpochChallenge<N>,
         coinbase_target: u64,
         proof_target: u64,
         rng: &mut R,
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Prover<N, C> {
         // Compute the prover solution.
         let result = self
             .coinbase_puzzle
-            .prove(&epoch_challenge, self.address(), rng.gen(), Some(proof_target))
+            .prove(epoch_challenge, self.address(), rng.gen(), Some(proof_target))
             .ok()
             .and_then(|solution| solution.to_target().ok().map(|solution_target| (solution_target, solution)));
 
@@ -239,24 +239,24 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Prover<N, C> {
             solution: Data::Object(prover_solution),
         });
         // Propagate the "UnconfirmedSolution" to the connected validators.
-        self.propagate_to_validators(message, vec![]);
+        self.propagate_to_validators(message, &[]);
     }
 
     /// Returns the current number of puzzle instances.
     fn num_puzzle_instances(&self) -> u8 {
-        self.puzzle_instances.load(Ordering::SeqCst)
+        self.puzzle_instances.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
     }
 
     /// Increments the number of puzzle instances.
     fn increment_puzzle_instances(&self) {
-        self.puzzle_instances.fetch_add(1, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        self.puzzle_instances.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
         #[cfg(debug_assertions)]
         trace!("Number of Instances - {}", self.num_puzzle_instances());
     }
 
     /// Decrements the number of puzzle instances.
     fn decrement_puzzle_instances(&self) {
-        self.puzzle_instances.fetch_sub(1, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        self.puzzle_instances.fetch_sub(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
         #[cfg(debug_assertions)]
         trace!("Number of Instances - {}", self.num_puzzle_instances());
     }
diff --git a/node/src/prover/router.rs b/node/src/prover/router.rs
index b17c20953b..1bd1bae0db 100644
--- a/node/src/prover/router.rs
+++ b/node/src/prover/router.rs
@@ -50,11 +50,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Handshake for Prover<N, C> {
         let (peer_ip, mut framed) = self.router.handshake(peer_addr, stream, conn_side, genesis_header).await?;
 
         // Send the first `Ping` message to the peer.
-        let message = Message::Ping(Ping::<N> {
-            version: Message::<N>::VERSION,
-            node_type: self.node_type(),
-            block_locators: None,
-        });
+        let message = Message::Ping(Ping::new(self.node_type(), None));
         trace!("Sending '{}' to '{peer_ip}'", message.name());
         framed.send(message).await?;
 
@@ -159,9 +155,9 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Inbound<N> for Prover<N, C> {
     }
 
     /// Saves the latest epoch challenge and latest block header in the node.
-    fn puzzle_response(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr, serialized: PuzzleResponse<N>, header: Header<N>) -> bool {
+    fn puzzle_response(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr, epoch_challenge: EpochChallenge<N>, header: Header<N>) -> bool {
         // Retrieve the epoch number.
-        let epoch_number = serialized.epoch_challenge.epoch_number();
+        let epoch_number = epoch_challenge.epoch_number();
         // Retrieve the block height.
         let block_height = header.height();
 
@@ -172,7 +168,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Inbound<N> for Prover<N, C> {
         );
 
         // Save the latest epoch challenge in the node.
-        self.latest_epoch_challenge.write().replace(serialized.epoch_challenge);
+        self.latest_epoch_challenge.write().replace(Arc::new(epoch_challenge));
         // Save the latest block header in the node.
         self.latest_block_header.write().replace(header);
 
@@ -205,7 +201,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Inbound<N> for Prover<N, C> {
                 Ok(Ok(true)) => {
                     let message = Message::UnconfirmedSolution(serialized);
                     // Propagate the "UnconfirmedSolution" to the connected validators.
-                    self.propagate_to_validators(message, vec![peer_ip]);
+                    self.propagate_to_validators(message, &[peer_ip]);
                 }
                 Ok(Ok(false)) | Ok(Err(_)) => {
                     trace!("Invalid prover solution '{}' for the proof target.", solution.commitment())
diff --git a/node/src/validator/mod.rs b/node/src/validator/mod.rs
index f36e6743ab..3bb50b2bdc 100644
--- a/node/src/validator/mod.rs
+++ b/node/src/validator/mod.rs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ use snarkos_node_tcp::{
 use snarkvm::prelude::{Block, ConsensusStorage, Header, Network, ProverSolution};
 
 use anyhow::Result;
-use parking_lot::RwLock;
+use parking_lot::Mutex;
 use std::{
     net::SocketAddr,
     sync::{
@@ -51,9 +51,9 @@ pub struct Validator<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> {
     /// The router of the node.
     router: Router<N>,
     /// The REST server of the node.
-    rest: Option<Arc<Rest<N, C, Self>>>,
+    rest: Option<Rest<N, C, Self>>,
     /// The spawned handles.
-    handles: Arc<RwLock<Vec<JoinHandle<()>>>>,
+    handles: Arc<Mutex<Vec<JoinHandle<()>>>>,
     /// The shutdown signal.
     shutdown: Arc<AtomicBool>,
 }
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Validator<N, C> {
 
         // Initialize the REST server.
         if let Some(rest_ip) = rest_ip {
-            node.rest = Some(Arc::new(Rest::start(rest_ip, Some(consensus), ledger, Arc::new(node.clone()))?));
+            node.rest = Some(Rest::start(rest_ip, Some(consensus), ledger, Arc::new(node.clone()))?);
         }
         // Initialize the sync pool.
         node.initialize_sync()?;
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Validator<N, C> {
     }
 
     /// Returns the REST server.
-    pub fn rest(&self) -> &Option<Arc<Rest<N, C, Self>>> {
+    pub fn rest(&self) -> &Option<Rest<N, C, Self>> {
         &self.rest
     }
 }
@@ -136,11 +136,11 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> NodeInterface<N> for Validator<N, C> {
 
         // Shut down the sync pool.
         trace!("Shutting down the sync pool...");
-        self.shutdown.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        self.shutdown.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
 
         // Abort the tasks.
         trace!("Shutting down the validator...");
-        self.handles.read().iter().for_each(|handle| handle.abort());
+        self.handles.lock().iter().for_each(|handle| handle.abort());
 
         // Shut down the router.
         self.router.shut_down().await;
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Validator<N, C> {
 
         // Start the sync loop.
         let validator = self.clone();
-        self.handles.write().push(tokio::spawn(async move {
+        self.handles.lock().push(tokio::spawn(async move {
             loop {
                 // If the Ctrl-C handler registered the signal, stop the node.
                 if validator.shutdown.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
diff --git a/node/src/validator/router.rs b/node/src/validator/router.rs
index 619aea6f52..26bf69698c 100644
--- a/node/src/validator/router.rs
+++ b/node/src/validator/router.rs
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ use snarkos_node_messages::{
     UnconfirmedTransaction,
 };
 use snarkos_node_tcp::{Connection, ConnectionSide, Tcp};
-use snarkvm::prelude::{error, Network, Transaction};
+use snarkvm::prelude::{error, EpochChallenge, Network, Transaction};
 
 use futures_util::sink::SinkExt;
 use std::{io, net::SocketAddr, time::Duration};
@@ -62,8 +62,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Handshake for Validator<N, C> {
         };
 
         // Send the first `Ping` message to the peer.
-        let message =
-            Message::Ping(Ping::<N> { version: Message::<N>::VERSION, node_type: self.node_type(), block_locators });
+        let message = Message::Ping(Ping::new(self.node_type(), block_locators));
         trace!("Sending '{}' to '{peer_ip}'", message.name());
         framed.send(message).await?;
 
@@ -206,7 +205,7 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Inbound<N> for Validator<N, C> {
     }
 
     /// Disconnects on receipt of a `PuzzleResponse` message.
-    fn puzzle_response(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr, _serialized: PuzzleResponse<N>, _header: Header<N>) -> bool {
+    fn puzzle_response(&self, peer_ip: SocketAddr, _epoch_challenge: EpochChallenge<N>, _header: Header<N>) -> bool {
         debug!("Disconnecting '{peer_ip}' for the following reason - {:?}", DisconnectReason::ProtocolViolation);
         false
     }
@@ -225,9 +224,9 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Inbound<N> for Validator<N, C> {
         }
         let message = Message::UnconfirmedSolution(serialized);
         // Propagate the "UnconfirmedSolution" to the connected beacons.
-        self.propagate_to_beacons(message.clone(), vec![peer_ip]);
+        self.propagate_to_beacons(message.clone(), &[peer_ip]);
         // Propagate the "UnconfirmedSolution" to the connected validators.
-        self.propagate_to_validators(message, vec![peer_ip]);
+        self.propagate_to_validators(message, &[peer_ip]);
         true
     }
 
@@ -240,9 +239,9 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> Inbound<N> for Validator<N, C> {
     ) -> bool {
         let message = Message::UnconfirmedTransaction(serialized);
         // Propagate the "UnconfirmedTransaction" to the connected beacons.
-        self.propagate_to_beacons(message.clone(), vec![peer_ip]);
+        self.propagate_to_beacons(message.clone(), &[peer_ip]);
         // Propagate the "UnconfirmedTransaction" to the connected validators.
-        self.propagate_to_validators(message, vec![peer_ip]);
+        self.propagate_to_validators(message, &[peer_ip]);
         true
     }
 }
diff --git a/node/store/Cargo.toml b/node/store/Cargo.toml
index fbc230b079..63677d61d4 100644
--- a/node/store/Cargo.toml
+++ b/node/store/Cargo.toml
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ version = "1.15"
 version = "0.12"
 
 [dependencies.rocksdb]
-version = "0.19"
+version = "0.20"
 default-features = false
 features = [ "lz4" ]
 
diff --git a/node/store/src/rocksdb/map.rs b/node/store/src/rocksdb/map.rs
index c723b4af56..2295410747 100644
--- a/node/store/src/rocksdb/map.rs
+++ b/node/store/src/rocksdb/map.rs
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ impl<
     ///
     fn insert(&self, key: K, value: V) -> Result<()> {
         // Determine if an atomic batch is in progress.
-        let is_batch = self.batch_in_progress.load(Ordering::SeqCst);
+        let is_batch = self.batch_in_progress.load(Ordering::Acquire);
 
         match is_batch {
             // If a batch is in progress, add the key-value pair to the batch.
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ impl<
     ///
     fn remove(&self, key: &K) -> Result<()> {
         // Determine if an atomic batch is in progress.
-        let is_batch = self.batch_in_progress.load(Ordering::SeqCst);
+        let is_batch = self.batch_in_progress.load(Ordering::Acquire);
 
         match is_batch {
             // If a batch is in progress, add the key to the batch.
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ impl<
     ///
     fn start_atomic(&self) {
         // Set the atomic batch flag to `true`.
-        self.batch_in_progress.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        self.batch_in_progress.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
         // Ensure that the atomic batch is empty.
         assert!(self.atomic_batch.lock().is_empty());
     }
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ impl<
     /// if they are already part of a larger one.
     ///
     fn is_atomic_in_progress(&self) -> bool {
-        self.batch_in_progress.load(Ordering::SeqCst)
+        self.batch_in_progress.load(Ordering::Acquire)
     }
 
     ///
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ impl<
         // Clear the atomic batch.
         *self.atomic_batch.lock() = Default::default();
         // Set the atomic batch flag to `false`.
-        self.batch_in_progress.store(false, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        self.batch_in_progress.store(false, Ordering::Release);
     }
 
     ///
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ impl<
         }
 
         // Set the atomic batch flag to `false`.
-        self.batch_in_progress.store(false, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        self.batch_in_progress.store(false, Ordering::Release);
 
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ impl<
         K: Borrow<Q>,
         Q: PartialEq + Eq + Hash + Serialize + ?Sized,
     {
-        if self.batch_in_progress.load(Ordering::SeqCst) { self.atomic_batch.lock().get(key).cloned() } else { None }
+        if self.batch_in_progress.load(Ordering::Acquire) { self.atomic_batch.lock().get(key).cloned() } else { None }
     }
 
     ///
diff --git a/node/tcp/src/tcp.rs b/node/tcp/src/tcp.rs
index 4348a0ef50..ac84a676ea 100644
--- a/node/tcp/src/tcp.rs
+++ b/node/tcp/src/tcp.rs
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ impl Tcp {
     pub fn new(mut config: Config) -> Self {
         // If there is no pre-configured name, assign a sequential numeric identifier.
         if config.name.is_none() {
-            config.name = Some(SEQUENTIAL_NODE_ID.fetch_add(1, SeqCst).to_string());
+            config.name = Some(SEQUENTIAL_NODE_ID.fetch_add(1, Relaxed).to_string());
         }
 
         // Create a tracing span containing the node's name.
diff --git a/node/tests/common/test_peer.rs b/node/tests/common/test_peer.rs
index f85a23bc26..58105c720a 100644
--- a/node/tests/common/test_peer.rs
+++ b/node/tests/common/test_peer.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@
 // along with the snarkOS library. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 use snarkos_account::Account;
-use snarkos_node_messages::{ChallengeRequest, ChallengeResponse, Data, Message, MessageCodec, NodeType};
+use snarkos_node_messages::{ChallengeRequest, ChallengeResponse, Data, Message, MessageCodec, MessageTrait, NodeType};
+use snarkos_node_router::expect_message;
 use snarkvm::prelude::{error, Address, Block, FromBytes, Network, TestRng, Testnet3 as CurrentNetwork};
 
 use std::{
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ use pea2pea::{
     Pea2Pea,
 };
 use tokio_util::codec::Framed;
+use tracing::*;
 
 const ALEO_MAXIMUM_FORK_DEPTH: u32 = 4096;
 
@@ -119,47 +121,49 @@ impl Handshake for TestPeer {
 
         let local_ip = self.node().listening_addr().expect("listening address should be present");
 
+        let peer_addr = conn.addr();
+        let node_side = !conn.side();
         let stream = self.borrow_stream(&mut conn);
         let mut framed = Framed::new(stream, MessageCodec::<CurrentNetwork>::default());
 
-        // Send a challenge request to the peer.
-        let message = Message::<CurrentNetwork>::ChallengeRequest(ChallengeRequest {
-            version: Message::<CurrentNetwork>::VERSION,
-            listener_port: local_ip.port(),
-            node_type: self.node_type(),
-            address: self.address(),
-            nonce: rng.gen(),
-        });
-        framed.send(message).await?;
-
-        // Listen for the challenge request.
-        let request_b = match framed.try_next().await? {
-            // Received the challenge request message, proceed.
-            Some(Message::ChallengeRequest(data)) => data,
-            // Received a disconnect message, abort.
-            Some(Message::Disconnect(reason)) => return Err(error(format!("disconnected: {reason:?}"))),
-            // Received an unexpected message, abort.
-            _ => return Err(error("didn't send a challenge request")),
-        };
-
-        // TODO(nkls): add assertions on the contents.
-
-        // Sign the nonce.
-        let signature = self.account().sign_bytes(&request_b.nonce.to_le_bytes(), rng).unwrap();
-
         // Retrieve the genesis block header.
         let genesis_header = *sample_genesis_block().header();
-        // Send the challenge response.
-        let message =
-            Message::ChallengeResponse(ChallengeResponse { genesis_header, signature: Data::Object(signature) });
-        framed.send(message).await?;
-
-        // Receive the challenge response.
-        let Message::ChallengeResponse(challenge_response) = framed.try_next().await.unwrap().unwrap() else {
-            panic!("didn't get challenge response")
-        };
 
-        assert_eq!(challenge_response.genesis_header, genesis_header);
+        // TODO(nkls): add assertions on the contents of messages.
+        match node_side {
+            ConnectionSide::Initiator => {
+                // Send a challenge request to the peer.
+                let our_request = ChallengeRequest::new(local_ip.port(), self.node_type(), self.address(), rng.gen());
+                framed.send(Message::ChallengeRequest(our_request)).await?;
+
+                // Receive the peer's challenge bundle.
+                let _peer_response = expect_message!(Message::ChallengeResponse, framed, peer_addr);
+                let peer_request = expect_message!(Message::ChallengeRequest, framed, peer_addr);
+
+                // Sign the nonce.
+                let signature = self.account().sign_bytes(&peer_request.nonce.to_le_bytes(), rng).unwrap();
+
+                // Send the challenge response.
+                let our_response = ChallengeResponse { genesis_header, signature: Data::Object(signature) };
+                framed.send(Message::ChallengeResponse(our_response)).await?;
+            }
+            ConnectionSide::Responder => {
+                // Listen for the challenge request.
+                let peer_request = expect_message!(Message::ChallengeRequest, framed, peer_addr);
+
+                // Sign the nonce.
+                let signature = self.account().sign_bytes(&peer_request.nonce.to_le_bytes(), rng).unwrap();
+
+                // Send our challenge bundle.
+                let our_response = ChallengeResponse { genesis_header, signature: Data::Object(signature) };
+                framed.send(Message::ChallengeResponse(our_response)).await?;
+                let our_request = ChallengeRequest::new(local_ip.port(), self.node_type(), self.address(), rng.gen());
+                framed.send(Message::ChallengeRequest(our_request)).await?;
+
+                // Listen for the challenge response.
+                let _peer_response = expect_message!(Message::ChallengeResponse, framed, peer_addr);
+            }
+        }
 
         Ok(conn)
     }
diff --git a/snarkos/main.rs b/snarkos/main.rs
index c5fe33b077..df6922d0f1 100644
--- a/snarkos/main.rs
+++ b/snarkos/main.rs
@@ -17,6 +17,10 @@
 use snarkos_cli::{commands::CLI, helpers::Updater};
 
 use clap::Parser;
+use tikv_jemallocator::Jemalloc;
+
+#[global_allocator]
+static GLOBAL: Jemalloc = Jemalloc;
 
 fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     // Parse the given arguments.