diff --git a/lib/cmds/simulator.js b/lib/cmds/simulator.js
index 8254fd3db..5cc5a6f90 100644
--- a/lib/cmds/simulator.js
+++ b/lib/cmds/simulator.js
@@ -32,6 +32,25 @@ class Simulator {
       cmds.push("--mnemonic \"" + (simulatorMnemonic) +"\"");
     }
 
+    // the simulatorAccounts configuration overrides a mnemonic
+    let simulatorAccounts = this.blockchainConfig.simulatorAccounts || options.simulatorAccounts;
+    if (simulatorAccounts && simulatorAccounts.length > 0) {
+      simulatorAccounts.forEach((account, index) => {
+        let hexBalance = '0x8AC7230489E80000'; // 10 ether;
+        if (account.hexBalance) { // TODO: ensure it is 0x-prefixed hex
+          if (account.hexBalance.match(/0x[a-f0-9]+/i)) {
+            hexBalance = account.hexBalance;
+          } else {
+            this.logger.warn('Balance provided for the account #' + index + ' is not a valid hex number. Using 10 ether as a default.');
+          }
+        } else {
+          this.logger.warn('No balance has been provided for the account #' + index + '. Using 10 ether as a default.');
+        }
+        let cmd = '--account="' + account.privateKey + ','+hexBalance + '"';
+        cmds.push(cmd);
+      });
+    }
+
     // adding blocktime only if it is defined in the blockchainConfig or options
     let simulatorBlocktime = this.blockchainConfig.simulatorBlocktime || options.simulatorBlocktime;
     if (simulatorBlocktime) {