diff --git a/blend/message/src/codec.rs b/blend/message/src/codec.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..823347e4f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/blend/message/src/codec.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+use lb_blend_proofs::{
+    quota::{PROOF_OF_QUOTA_SIZE, ProofOfQuota},
+    selection::{PROOF_OF_SELECTION_SIZE, ProofOfSelection},
+};
+use lb_key_management_system_keys::keys::{
+    ED25519_PUBLIC_KEY_SIZE, ED25519_SIGNATURE_SIZE, Ed25519PublicKey, Ed25519Signature,
+};
+
+/// A content error from decoding a wire component.
+///
+/// Length is deliberately NOT checked by any [`WireDecode`] implementation: the
+/// caller (the network-side size gate that rejects wrongly-sized peer messages
+/// up front) guarantees the input holds at least the bytes the component needs.
+/// These variants therefore only cover malformed *values*.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, thiserror::Error)]
+pub enum WireDecodeError {
+    #[error("Invalid boolean encoding")]
+    InvalidBool,
+    #[error("Invalid Ed25519 public key encoding")]
+    InvalidPublicKey,
+    #[error("Invalid proof of quota encoding")]
+    InvalidProofOfQuota,
+    #[error("Invalid proof of selection encoding")]
+    InvalidProofOfSelection,
+    #[error("Unsupported message version")]
+    UnsupportedVersion,
+    #[error("Invalid payload type discriminant")]
+    InvalidPayloadType,
+}
+
+/// Append a message component's fixed-size, prefix-free wire bytes to `out`.
+///
+/// Every Blend message component has a size fully determined by the (fixed,
+/// network-wide) number of encapsulation layers, so nothing is length-prefixed.
+/// The output buffer is allocated by the caller; implementations only append.
+pub trait WireEncode {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>);
+}
+
+/// Decode a message component from the front of `input`, returning the value
+/// and the unconsumed remainder (`(rest, value)`, as in `nom`).
+///
+/// Implementations do not check `input`'s length — the caller guarantees it is
+/// large enough (see [`WireDecodeError`]). `Context` carries anything the
+/// decoder needs that is not on the wire (e.g. the layer count); `()` for
+/// self-describing fixed-size components.
+pub trait WireDecode: Sized {
+    type Context;
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], context: Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError>;
+}
+
+impl WireEncode for u8 {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        out.push(*self);
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for u8 {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        Ok((&input[1..], input[0]))
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireEncode for u16 {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        out.extend_from_slice(&self.to_le_bytes());
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for u16 {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (bytes, remaining) = input.split_at(size_of::<Self>());
+        let value = Self::from_le_bytes(bytes.try_into().expect("split_at guarantees the length"));
+        Ok((remaining, value))
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireEncode for bool {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        u8::from(*self).encode_into(out);
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for bool {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (remaining, value) = u8::decode(input, ())?;
+        match value {
+            0 => Ok((remaining, false)),
+            1 => Ok((remaining, true)),
+            _ => Err(WireDecodeError::InvalidBool),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireEncode for Ed25519PublicKey {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        out.extend_from_slice(self.as_bytes());
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for Ed25519PublicKey {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (key_bytes, remaining) = input.split_at(ED25519_PUBLIC_KEY_SIZE);
+        let key_array: [u8; ED25519_PUBLIC_KEY_SIZE] = key_bytes
+            .try_into()
+            .expect("split_at guarantees the length");
+        let public_key =
+            Self::from_bytes(&key_array).map_err(|_| WireDecodeError::InvalidPublicKey)?;
+        Ok((remaining, public_key))
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireEncode for ProofOfQuota {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        out.extend_from_slice(&<[u8; PROOF_OF_QUOTA_SIZE]>::from(self));
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for ProofOfQuota {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (proof_bytes, remaining) = input.split_at(PROOF_OF_QUOTA_SIZE);
+        let proof_array: [u8; PROOF_OF_QUOTA_SIZE] = proof_bytes
+            .try_into()
+            .expect("split_at guarantees the length");
+        let proof =
+            Self::try_from(proof_array).map_err(|_| WireDecodeError::InvalidProofOfQuota)?;
+        Ok((remaining, proof))
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireEncode for ProofOfSelection {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        out.extend_from_slice(&<[u8; PROOF_OF_SELECTION_SIZE]>::from(self));
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for ProofOfSelection {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (proof_bytes, remaining) = input.split_at(PROOF_OF_SELECTION_SIZE);
+        let proof_array: [u8; PROOF_OF_SELECTION_SIZE] = proof_bytes
+            .try_into()
+            .expect("split_at guarantees the length");
+        let proof =
+            Self::try_from(proof_array).map_err(|_| WireDecodeError::InvalidProofOfSelection)?;
+        Ok((remaining, proof))
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireEncode for Ed25519Signature {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        out.extend_from_slice(&self.to_bytes());
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for Ed25519Signature {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (sig_bytes, remaining) = input.split_at(ED25519_SIGNATURE_SIZE);
+        let sig_array: [u8; ED25519_SIGNATURE_SIZE] = sig_bytes
+            .try_into()
+            .expect("split_at guarantees the length");
+        // `Ed25519Signature::from_bytes` is infallible (any bytes are a valid
+        // signature value; verification happens elsewhere).
+        Ok((remaining, Self::from_bytes(&sig_array)))
+    }
+}
diff --git a/blend/message/src/encap/encapsulated.rs b/blend/message/src/encap/encapsulated.rs
index 111c9f836..859f24eeb 100644
--- a/blend/message/src/encap/encapsulated.rs
+++ b/blend/message/src/encap/encapsulated.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+use core::num::NonZeroU64;
+
 use derivative::Derivative;
 use itertools::Itertools as _;
 use lb_blend_crypto::{ZkHash, cipher::Cipher};
@@ -5,14 +7,15 @@ use lb_blend_proofs::{
     quota::{self, VerifiedProofOfQuota},
     selection::{self, VerifiedProofOfSelection, inputs::VerifyInputs},
 };
-use lb_core::codec::{DeserializeOp as _, SerializeOp as _};
 use lb_key_management_system_keys::keys::{
     Ed25519PublicKey, Ed25519Signature, SharedKey, UnsecuredEd25519Key,
 };
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use serde_with::serde_as;
 
 use crate::{
     Error, PayloadType,
+    codec::{WireDecode, WireDecodeError, WireEncode},
     crypto::{domains, key_ext::SharedKeyExt as _},
     encap::{
         ProofsVerifier,
@@ -23,7 +26,9 @@ use crate::{
     },
     input::EncapsulationInput,
     message::{
-        BlendingHeader, Payload, PublicHeader, payload::PaddedPayloadBody,
+        BlendingHeader, Payload, PublicHeader,
+        blending_header::BLENDING_HEADER_ENCODED_SIZE,
+        payload::{PAYLOAD_ENCODED_SIZE, PaddedPayloadBody},
         public_header::VerifiedPublicHeader,
     },
 };
@@ -59,6 +64,43 @@ impl EncapsulatedMessage {
         (self.public_header, self.encapsulated_part)
     }
 
+    #[cfg(test)]
+    // Encoding (and sending) of unverified messages should not be done outside of
+    // tests, so this function is only available in tests.
+    #[must_use]
+    pub fn encode(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let expected_encoded_len =
+            crate::encap::expected_serialized_len(self.encapsulation_layers());
+        let mut out = Vec::with_capacity(expected_encoded_len);
+        self.public_header.encode_into(&mut out);
+        self.encapsulated_part.encode_into(&mut out);
+        debug_assert!(
+            out.len() == expected_encoded_len,
+            "Message should encode to the expected length but it did not."
+        );
+        out
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(test)]
+    fn encapsulation_layers(&self) -> NonZeroU64 {
+        self.encapsulated_part.encapsulation_layers()
+    }
+
+    /// Decode a message from the front of `bytes`, returning it and the
+    /// unconsumed remainder.
+    ///
+    /// This does not check `bytes`'s length nor that it is fully consumed — the
+    /// caller `bytes` is exactly a well-formed `num_layers`-layer message and
+    /// checks the remainder.
+    pub fn decode(bytes: &[u8], num_layers: NonZeroU64) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), Error> {
+        let (remaining, public_header) = PublicHeader::decode(bytes, ())?;
+        let (remaining, encapsulated_part) = EncapsulatedPart::decode(remaining, num_layers)?;
+        Ok((
+            remaining,
+            Self::from_components(public_header, encapsulated_part),
+        ))
+    }
+
     /// Verify the message public header signature.
     pub fn verify_header_signature(
         self,
@@ -245,6 +287,33 @@ impl EncapsulatedPart {
     pub(super) fn sign(&self, key: &UnsecuredEd25519Key) -> Ed25519Signature {
         key.sign_payload(&signing_body(&self.private_header, &self.payload))
     }
+
+    pub(super) fn encapsulation_layers(&self) -> NonZeroU64 {
+        self.private_header.encapsulation_layers()
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireEncode for EncapsulatedPart {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        self.private_header.encode_into(out);
+        self.payload.encode_into(out);
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for EncapsulatedPart {
+    type Context = NonZeroU64;
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], context: Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (input, private_header) = EncapsulatedPrivateHeader::decode(input, context)?;
+        let (input, payload) = EncapsulatedPayload::decode(input, ())?;
+        Ok((
+            input,
+            Self {
+                private_header,
+                payload,
+            },
+        ))
+    }
 }
 
 /// Verify the public header reconstructed when decapsulating all but the very
@@ -301,7 +370,7 @@ fn signing_body(
 // TODO: Consider having `InitializedPrivateHeader`
 // that just finished the initialization step and doesn't have `decapsulate` method.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
-pub(super) struct EncapsulatedPrivateHeader(Vec<EncapsulatedBlendingHeader>);
+pub(super) struct EncapsulatedPrivateHeader(Box<[EncapsulatedBlendingHeader]>);
 
 impl EncapsulatedPrivateHeader {
     #[cfg(test)]
@@ -351,7 +420,8 @@ impl EncapsulatedPrivateHeader {
                         });
                     header
                 })
-                .collect(),
+                .collect::<Vec<_>>()
+                .into_boxed_slice(),
         )
     }
 
@@ -492,22 +562,56 @@ impl EncapsulatedPrivateHeader {
             .iter()
             .flat_map(EncapsulatedBlendingHeader::iter_bytes)
     }
+
+    pub(super) fn encapsulation_layers(&self) -> NonZeroU64 {
+        NonZeroU64::new(self.0.len() as u64)
+            .expect("An encapsulated part always has at least one blending header.")
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireEncode for EncapsulatedPrivateHeader {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        for layer in &self.0 {
+            layer.encode_into(out);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for EncapsulatedPrivateHeader {
+    type Context = NonZeroU64;
+
+    fn decode(mut input: &[u8], context: Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let mut layers = Vec::with_capacity(context.get() as usize);
+        for _ in 0..context.get() {
+            let (remaining, layer) = EncapsulatedBlendingHeader::decode(input, ())?;
+            layers.push(layer);
+            input = remaining;
+        }
+        Ok((input, Self(layers.into_boxed_slice())))
+    }
 }
 
 /// A blending header encapsulated zero or more times.
-// TODO: Consider having `SerializedBlendingHeader` (not encapsulated).
+///
+/// Always exactly [`BLENDING_HEADER_ENCODED_SIZE`] bytes (the cipher is
+/// length-preserving), so it is a fixed-size array — stored inline, so a whole
+/// [`EncapsulatedPrivateHeader`] is one contiguous allocation.
+#[serde_as]
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
-struct EncapsulatedBlendingHeader(Vec<u8>);
+struct EncapsulatedBlendingHeader(
+    #[serde_as(as = "serde_with::Bytes")] [u8; BLENDING_HEADER_ENCODED_SIZE],
+);
 
 impl EncapsulatedBlendingHeader {
     /// Build a [`EncapsulatedBlendingHeader`] by serializing a
     /// [`BlendingHeader`] without any encapsulation.
     fn initialize(header: &BlendingHeader) -> Self {
+        let mut bytes = Vec::with_capacity(BLENDING_HEADER_ENCODED_SIZE);
+        header.encode_into(&mut bytes);
         Self(
-            header
-                .to_bytes()
-                .expect("BlendingHeader should be able to be serialized")
-                .to_vec(),
+            bytes
+                .try_into()
+                .expect("A BlendingHeader always encodes to BLENDING_HEADER_ENCODED_SIZE bytes."),
         )
     }
 
@@ -515,17 +619,19 @@ impl EncapsulatedBlendingHeader {
     /// If there is no encapsulation left, and if the bytes are valid,
     /// the deserialization will succeed.
     fn try_deserialize(&self) -> Result<BlendingHeader, Error> {
-        BlendingHeader::from_bytes(&self.0).map_err(|_| Error::PrivateHeaderDeserializationFailed)
+        let (_remaining, header) = BlendingHeader::decode(&self.0, ())
+            .map_err(|_| Error::PrivateHeaderDeserializationFailed)?;
+        Ok(header)
     }
 
     /// Add a layer of encapsulation.
     fn encapsulate(&mut self, cipher: &mut Cipher) {
-        cipher.encrypt(self.0.as_mut_slice());
+        cipher.encrypt(&mut self.0[..]);
     }
 
     /// Remove a layer of encapsulation.
     fn decapsulate(&mut self, cipher: &mut Cipher) {
-        cipher.decrypt(self.0.as_mut_slice());
+        cipher.decrypt(&mut self.0[..]);
     }
 
     fn iter_bytes(&self) -> impl Iterator<Item = u8> + '_ {
@@ -533,20 +639,48 @@ impl EncapsulatedBlendingHeader {
     }
 }
 
+// The encapsulated leaves already hold their raw ciphered bytes, so encoding is
+// the identity and decoding takes a fixed-size slice of the layer/payload size.
+// No length checks: the network-side size gate guarantees the input is large
+// enough (`split_at`/`try_into` therefore never fail).
+impl WireEncode for EncapsulatedBlendingHeader {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        out.extend_from_slice(&self.0);
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for EncapsulatedBlendingHeader {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (bytes, remaining) = input.split_at(BLENDING_HEADER_ENCODED_SIZE);
+        Ok((
+            remaining,
+            Self(bytes.try_into().expect("split_at guarantees the length")),
+        ))
+    }
+}
+
 /// A payload encapsulated zero or more times.
-// TODO: Consider having `SerializedPayload` (not encapsulated).
+///
+/// Always exactly [`PAYLOAD_ENCODED_SIZE`] bytes; boxed because that is ~34 KiB
+/// and must not be stored inline in
+/// [`EncapsulatedPart`]/[`EncapsulatedMessage`].
+#[serde_as]
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
-struct EncapsulatedPayload(Vec<u8>);
+struct EncapsulatedPayload(#[serde_as(as = "serde_with::Bytes")] Box<[u8; PAYLOAD_ENCODED_SIZE]>);
 
 impl EncapsulatedPayload {
     /// Build a [`EncapsulatedPayload`] by serializing a [`Payload`]
     /// without any encapsulation.
     fn initialize(payload: &Payload) -> Self {
+        let mut bytes = Vec::with_capacity(PAYLOAD_ENCODED_SIZE);
+        payload.encode_into(&mut bytes);
         Self(
-            payload
-                .to_bytes()
-                .expect("Payload should be able to be serialized")
-                .to_vec(),
+            bytes
+                .into_boxed_slice()
+                .try_into()
+                .expect("A Payload always encodes to PAYLOAD_ENCODED_SIZE bytes."),
         )
     }
 
@@ -554,18 +688,20 @@ impl EncapsulatedPayload {
     /// If there is no encapsulation left, and if the bytes are valid,
     /// the deserialization will succeed.
     fn try_deserialize(&self) -> Result<Payload, Error> {
-        Payload::from_bytes(&self.0).map_err(|_| Error::PayloadDeserializationFailed)
+        let (_remaining, payload) =
+            Payload::decode(&self.0[..], ()).map_err(|_| Error::PayloadDeserializationFailed)?;
+        Ok(payload)
     }
 
     /// Add a layer of encapsulation.
     fn encapsulate(mut self, cipher: &mut Cipher) -> Self {
-        cipher.encrypt(self.0.as_mut_slice());
+        cipher.encrypt(&mut self.0[..]);
         self
     }
 
     /// Remove a layer of encapsulation.
     fn decapsulate(mut self, cipher: &mut Cipher) -> Self {
-        cipher.decrypt(self.0.as_mut_slice());
+        cipher.decrypt(&mut self.0[..]);
         self
     }
 
@@ -573,3 +709,23 @@ impl EncapsulatedPayload {
         self.0.iter().copied()
     }
 }
+
+impl WireEncode for EncapsulatedPayload {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        out.extend_from_slice(&self.0[..]);
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for EncapsulatedPayload {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (bytes, remaining) = input.split_at(PAYLOAD_ENCODED_SIZE);
+        let boxed = bytes
+            .to_vec()
+            .into_boxed_slice()
+            .try_into()
+            .expect("split_at guarantees the length");
+        Ok((remaining, Self(boxed)))
+    }
+}
diff --git a/blend/message/src/encap/mod.rs b/blend/message/src/encap/mod.rs
index 697300800..b701f7f54 100644
--- a/blend/message/src/encap/mod.rs
+++ b/blend/message/src/encap/mod.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,18 @@
+use core::num::NonZeroU64;
+
 use lb_blend_proofs::{
     quota::{ProofOfQuota, VerifiedProofOfQuota},
     selection::{ProofOfSelection, VerifiedProofOfSelection, inputs::VerifyInputs},
 };
 use lb_key_management_system_keys::keys::Ed25519PublicKey;
 
-use crate::crypto::proofs::PoQVerificationInputsMinusSigningKey;
+use crate::{
+    crypto::proofs::PoQVerificationInputsMinusSigningKey,
+    message::{
+        blending_header::BLENDING_HEADER_ENCODED_SIZE, payload::PAYLOAD_ENCODED_SIZE,
+        public_header::PUBLIC_HEADER_ENCODED_SIZE,
+    },
+};
 
 pub mod decapsulated;
 pub mod encapsulated;
@@ -35,3 +43,20 @@ pub trait ProofsVerifier {
         inputs: &VerifyInputs,
     ) -> Result<VerifiedProofOfSelection, Self::Error>;
 }
+
+/// The exact serialized size, in bytes, of any well-formed message with
+/// `num_layers` encapsulation layers.
+///
+/// The wire format is fixed-size, so this is fully determined by the layer
+/// count. Used by the network crate to gate received bytes and to size the
+/// encode buffer.
+#[must_use]
+pub fn expected_serialized_len(num_layers: NonZeroU64) -> usize {
+    let layers_len = (num_layers.get() as usize)
+        .checked_mul(BLENDING_HEADER_ENCODED_SIZE)
+        .expect("message encoded length overflow");
+    PUBLIC_HEADER_ENCODED_SIZE
+        .checked_add(layers_len)
+        .and_then(|len| len.checked_add(PAYLOAD_ENCODED_SIZE))
+        .expect("message encoded length overflow")
+}
diff --git a/blend/message/src/encap/tests.rs b/blend/message/src/encap/tests.rs
index 5591f2a2c..57c3ea844 100644
--- a/blend/message/src/encap/tests.rs
+++ b/blend/message/src/encap/tests.rs
@@ -16,8 +16,10 @@ use crate::{
         ProofsVerifier,
         decapsulated::DecapsulationOutput,
         encapsulated::{EncapsulatedMessage, EncapsulatedPart},
+        expected_serialized_len,
         validated::{
-            EncapsulatedMessageWithVerifiedPublicHeader, RequiredProofOfSelectionVerificationInputs,
+            EncapsulatedMessageWithVerifiedPublicHeader, EncapsulatedMessageWithVerifiedSignature,
+            RequiredProofOfSelectionVerificationInputs,
         },
     },
     input::EncapsulationInput,
@@ -387,6 +389,77 @@ fn decapsulate_empty_private_headers_returns_error() {
     assert!(matches!(result, Err(Error::EmptyEncapsulationInputs)));
 }
 
+fn sample_message(num_layers: usize) -> EncapsulatedMessageWithVerifiedPublicHeader {
+    let (inputs, _) = generate_inputs(num_layers);
+    EncapsulatedMessageWithVerifiedPublicHeader::try_new(
+        &inputs,
+        PayloadType::Data,
+        b"payload".as_slice().try_into().unwrap(),
+    )
+    .unwrap()
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn serialized_size_constants_match_wire_format() {
+    // The O(1) size gate in `deserialize_from_remote` relies on
+    // `expected_serialized_len` being exact. Build real, genuinely-encapsulated
+    // messages of varying layer counts and confirm the constant-derived length
+    // matches the actual encoded length — this pins every size constant to the
+    // real wire encoding.
+    for num_layers in 1..=4u64 {
+        let message = EncapsulatedMessage::from(sample_message(num_layers as usize));
+
+        let actual_len = message.encode().len() as u64;
+        let expected_len = expected_serialized_len(num_layers.try_into().unwrap()) as u64;
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            expected_len, actual_len,
+            "expected_serialized_len mismatch for {num_layers} layer(s)"
+        );
+    }
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn encode_decode_round_trip() {
+    // A message encoded to the wire format and decoded back with the expected
+    // layer count reconstructs the original.
+    for num_layers in 1..=4u64 {
+        let message = EncapsulatedMessage::from(sample_message(num_layers as usize));
+
+        let encoded = message.encode();
+        let (remaining, decoded) =
+            EncapsulatedMessage::decode(&encoded, num_layers.try_into().unwrap()).unwrap();
+
+        assert!(
+            remaining.is_empty(),
+            "leftover bytes for {num_layers} layer(s)"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            decoded, message,
+            "round-trip mismatch for {num_layers} layer(s)"
+        );
+    }
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn wire_bytes_identical_across_message_types() {
+    // The send path serializes a verified variant; the receiver decodes an
+    // `EncapsulatedMessage`. All three must produce byte-identical wire output.
+    let with_public_header = sample_message(3);
+    let with_signature: EncapsulatedMessageWithVerifiedSignature =
+        with_public_header.clone().into();
+    let unverified = EncapsulatedMessage::from(with_public_header.clone());
+
+    let bytes = with_public_header.encode();
+    assert_eq!(with_signature.encode(), bytes);
+    assert_eq!(unverified.encode(), bytes);
+}
+
+// Rejecting a message whose layer count differs from the expected one is now
+// the responsibility of the network-side size gate (it compares the received
+// length against `EncapsulatedMessage::expected_serialized_len`), covered by
+// the `blend-network` tests. `decode` itself assumes a correctly-sized input.
+
 fn generate_inputs(cnt: usize) -> (Vec<EncapsulationInput>, Vec<X25519PrivateKey>) {
     let recipient_signing_keys =
         core::iter::repeat_with(UnsecuredEd25519Key::generate_with_blake_rng)
diff --git a/blend/message/src/encap/validated.rs b/blend/message/src/encap/validated.rs
index a38babaea..ae6c0bb4c 100644
--- a/blend/message/src/encap/validated.rs
+++ b/blend/message/src/encap/validated.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+use core::num::NonZeroU64;
+
 use derivative::Derivative;
 use lb_blend_crypto::random_sized_bytes;
 use lb_blend_proofs::{
@@ -9,11 +11,13 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 use crate::{
     Error, MessageIdentifier, PaddedPayloadBody, PayloadType,
+    codec::WireEncode as _,
     crypto::key_ext::Ed25519SecretKeyExt as _,
     encap::{
         ProofsVerifier,
         decapsulated::{DecapsulatedMessage, DecapsulationOutput, PartDecapsulationOutput},
         encapsulated::{EncapsulatedMessage, EncapsulatedPart},
+        expected_serialized_len,
     },
     input::EncapsulationInput,
     message::public_header::{PublicHeaderWithVerifiedSignature, VerifiedPublicHeader},
@@ -81,6 +85,25 @@ impl EncapsulatedMessageWithVerifiedSignature {
         self.public_header_with_verified_signature.id()
     }
 
+    #[must_use]
+    pub fn encode(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let expected_encoded_len = expected_serialized_len(self.encapsulation_layers());
+        let mut out = Vec::with_capacity(expected_encoded_len);
+        self.public_header_with_verified_signature
+            .encode_into(&mut out);
+        self.encapsulated_part.encode_into(&mut out);
+        debug_assert!(
+            out.len() == expected_encoded_len,
+            "Message should encode to the expected length but it did not."
+        );
+        out
+    }
+
+    #[must_use]
+    fn encapsulation_layers(&self) -> NonZeroU64 {
+        self.encapsulated_part.encapsulation_layers()
+    }
+
     #[cfg(any(feature = "unsafe-test-functions", test))]
     pub const fn public_header_mut(&mut self) -> &mut PublicHeaderWithVerifiedSignature {
         &mut self.public_header_with_verified_signature
@@ -277,6 +300,24 @@ impl EncapsulatedMessageWithVerifiedPublicHeader {
     pub const fn public_header_mut(&mut self) -> &mut VerifiedPublicHeader {
         &mut self.validated_public_header
     }
+
+    #[must_use]
+    pub fn encode(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let expected_encoded_len = expected_serialized_len(self.encapsulation_layers());
+        let mut out = Vec::with_capacity(expected_encoded_len);
+        self.validated_public_header.encode_into(&mut out);
+        self.encapsulated_part.encode_into(&mut out);
+        debug_assert!(
+            out.len() == expected_encoded_len,
+            "Message should encode to the expected length but it did not."
+        );
+        out
+    }
+
+    #[must_use]
+    fn encapsulation_layers(&self) -> NonZeroU64 {
+        self.encapsulated_part.encapsulation_layers()
+    }
 }
 
 impl From<EncapsulatedMessageWithVerifiedPublicHeader>
diff --git a/blend/message/src/error.rs b/blend/message/src/error.rs
index 60f569d13..aa43b73e0 100644
--- a/blend/message/src/error.rs
+++ b/blend/message/src/error.rs
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ pub enum Error {
     ProofOfQuotaVerificationFailed(quota::Error),
     #[error("Encapsulated message deserialization failed")]
     MessageDeserializationFailed,
+    #[error(transparent)]
+    WireDecode(#[from] crate::codec::WireDecodeError),
     #[error("Payload deserialization failed")]
     PayloadDeserializationFailed,
     #[error("Private header deserialization failed")]
diff --git a/blend/message/src/lib.rs b/blend/message/src/lib.rs
index 91090bf09..6a170c746 100644
--- a/blend/message/src/lib.rs
+++ b/blend/message/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+mod codec;
 pub mod crypto;
 pub mod encap;
 mod error;
diff --git a/blend/message/src/message/blending_header.rs b/blend/message/src/message/blending_header.rs
index 58de4f68f..2849c5df6 100644
--- a/blend/message/src/message/blending_header.rs
+++ b/blend/message/src/message/blending_header.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,10 @@ use lb_key_management_system_keys::keys::{
 };
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
-use crate::crypto::domains;
+use crate::{
+    codec::{WireDecode, WireDecodeError, WireEncode},
+    crypto::domains,
+};
 
 /// A blending header that is fully decapsulated.
 /// This must be encapsulated when being sent to the blend network.
@@ -61,3 +64,49 @@ impl BlendingHeader {
 fn concat(a: &[u8], b: &[u8]) -> Vec<u8> {
     a.iter().chain(b.iter()).copied().collect::<Vec<_>>()
 }
+
+/// The exact number of bytes a [`BlendingHeader`] encodes to. Every field is
+/// fixed-size, so this is a compile-time constant — which lets the encapsulated
+/// (ciphered) form be stored as a `[u8; BLENDING_HEADER_ENCODED_SIZE]`.
+pub const BLENDING_HEADER_ENCODED_SIZE: usize = ED25519_PUBLIC_KEY_SIZE
+    .checked_add(PROOF_OF_QUOTA_SIZE)
+    .unwrap()
+    .checked_add(ED25519_SIGNATURE_SIZE)
+    .unwrap()
+    .checked_add(PROOF_OF_SELECTION_SIZE)
+    .unwrap()
+    .checked_add(size_of::<bool>())
+    .unwrap();
+
+impl WireEncode for BlendingHeader {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        self.signing_pubkey.encode_into(out);
+        self.proof_of_quota.encode_into(out);
+        self.signature.encode_into(out);
+        self.proof_of_selection.encode_into(out);
+        self.is_last.encode_into(out);
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for BlendingHeader {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (input, signing_pubkey) = Ed25519PublicKey::decode(input, ())?;
+        let (input, proof_of_quota) = ProofOfQuota::decode(input, ())?;
+        let (input, signature) = Ed25519Signature::decode(input, ())?;
+        let (input, proof_of_selection) = ProofOfSelection::decode(input, ())?;
+        let (input, is_last) = bool::decode(input, ())?;
+
+        Ok((
+            input,
+            Self {
+                signing_pubkey,
+                proof_of_quota,
+                signature,
+                proof_of_selection,
+                is_last,
+            },
+        ))
+    }
+}
diff --git a/blend/message/src/message/payload.rs b/blend/message/src/message/payload.rs
index ea5a5b648..5fc43ed06 100644
--- a/blend/message/src/message/payload.rs
+++ b/blend/message/src/message/payload.rs
@@ -1,32 +1,62 @@
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use serde_with::serde_as;
 
-use crate::Error;
+use crate::{
+    Error,
+    codec::{WireDecode, WireDecodeError, WireEncode},
+};
 
 pub const MAX_PAYLOAD_BODY_SIZE: usize = 34 * 1024;
 
-/// A payload header that is fully decapsulated.
-/// This must be encapsulated when being sent to the blend network.
-#[derive(Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-struct PayloadHeader {
-    payload_type: PayloadType,
-    body_len: u16,
-}
-
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq)]
+#[repr(u8)]
 pub enum PayloadType {
     Cover = 0x00,
     Data = 0x01,
 }
 
+impl TryFrom<u8> for PayloadType {
+    type Error = ();
+
+    fn try_from(value: u8) -> Result<Self, Self::Error> {
+        match value {
+            0x00 => Ok(Self::Cover),
+            0x01 => Ok(Self::Data),
+            _ => Err(()),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireEncode for PayloadType {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        (*self as u8).encode_into(out);
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for PayloadType {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (remaining, discriminant) = u8::decode(input, ())?;
+        let payload_type =
+            Self::try_from(discriminant).map_err(|()| WireDecodeError::InvalidPayloadType)?;
+        Ok((remaining, payload_type))
+    }
+}
+
+/// The decapsulated payload body, padded to a fixed size.
+///
+/// `actual_len` is the length of the real (unpadded) content and is the single
+/// source of truth for it — the payload no longer stores it a second time.
 #[serde_as]
 #[derive(Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct PaddedPayloadBody {
-    /// A body is padded to [`MAX_PAYLOAD_BODY_SIZE`],
-    /// Box is used to not allocate a big array on the stack.
+    /// The real content length; `padded[..actual_len]` is the body.
+    actual_len: u16,
+    /// A body padded to [`MAX_PAYLOAD_BODY_SIZE`]. `Box` avoids a large stack
+    /// allocation.
     #[serde_as(as = "serde_with::Bytes")]
     padded: Box<[u8; MAX_PAYLOAD_BODY_SIZE]>,
-    actual_len: u16,
 }
 
 impl TryFrom<Vec<u8>> for PaddedPayloadBody {
@@ -45,7 +75,7 @@ impl TryFrom<&[u8]> for PaddedPayloadBody {
             return Err(Error::PayloadTooLarge);
         }
 
-        let body_len: u16 = value
+        let actual_len: u16 = value
             .len()
             .try_into()
             .map_err(|_| Error::InvalidPayloadLength)?;
@@ -56,42 +86,60 @@ impl TryFrom<&[u8]> for PaddedPayloadBody {
             .expect("body must be created with the correct size");
         padded[..value.len()].copy_from_slice(value);
 
-        Ok(Self {
-            actual_len: body_len,
-            padded,
-        })
+        Ok(Self { actual_len, padded })
     }
 }
 
+impl WireEncode for PaddedPayloadBody {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        self.actual_len.encode_into(out);
+        out.extend_from_slice(&self.padded[..]);
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for PaddedPayloadBody {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (input, actual_len) = u16::decode(input, ())?;
+        let (body_bytes, remaining) = input.split_at(MAX_PAYLOAD_BODY_SIZE);
+        let padded: Box<[u8; MAX_PAYLOAD_BODY_SIZE]> = body_bytes
+            .to_vec()
+            .into_boxed_slice()
+            .try_into()
+            .expect("split_at guarantees the length");
+        Ok((remaining, Self { actual_len, padded }))
+    }
+}
+
+/// The exact number of bytes a [`Payload`] encodes to: a fixed enum
+/// discriminant, the `u16` body length, and the body padded to
+/// [`MAX_PAYLOAD_BODY_SIZE`]. Compile-time constant, so the encapsulated
+/// (ciphered) form can be stored as a `Box<[u8; PAYLOAD_ENCODED_SIZE]>`.
+pub const PAYLOAD_ENCODED_SIZE: usize =
+    size_of::<PayloadType>() + size_of::<u16>() + MAX_PAYLOAD_BODY_SIZE;
+
 /// A payload that is fully decapsulated.
 /// This must be encapsulated when being sent to the blend network.
-#[serde_as]
 #[derive(Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct Payload {
-    header: PayloadHeader,
+    payload_type: PayloadType,
     body: PaddedPayloadBody,
 }
 
 impl Payload {
-    pub const fn new(payload_type: PayloadType, payload_body: PaddedPayloadBody) -> Self {
-        Self {
-            header: PayloadHeader {
-                payload_type,
-                body_len: payload_body.actual_len,
-            },
-            body: payload_body,
-        }
+    pub const fn new(payload_type: PayloadType, body: PaddedPayloadBody) -> Self {
+        Self { payload_type, body }
     }
 
     pub const fn payload_type(&self) -> PayloadType {
-        self.header.payload_type
+        self.payload_type
     }
 
     /// Returns the payload body unpadded.
-    /// Returns an error if the payload cannot be read up to the length
-    /// specified in the header
+    /// Returns an error if the recorded length exceeds the padded buffer.
     pub fn body(&self) -> Result<&[u8], Error> {
-        let len = self.header.body_len as usize;
+        let len = self.body.actual_len as usize;
         if self.body.padded.len() < len {
             return Err(Error::InvalidPayloadLength);
         }
@@ -102,3 +150,20 @@ impl Payload {
         Ok((self.payload_type(), self.body()?.to_vec()))
     }
 }
+
+impl WireEncode for Payload {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        self.payload_type.encode_into(out);
+        self.body.encode_into(out);
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for Payload {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (input, payload_type) = PayloadType::decode(input, ())?;
+        let (input, body) = PaddedPayloadBody::decode(input, ())?;
+        Ok((input, Self { payload_type, body }))
+    }
+}
diff --git a/blend/message/src/message/public_header.rs b/blend/message/src/message/public_header.rs
index b4fb9e332..50365b17d 100644
--- a/blend/message/src/message/public_header.rs
+++ b/blend/message/src/message/public_header.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,22 @@
-use lb_blend_proofs::quota::{self, ProofOfQuota, VerifiedProofOfQuota};
-use lb_key_management_system_keys::keys::{Ed25519PublicKey, Ed25519Signature};
+use lb_blend_proofs::quota::{self, PROOF_OF_QUOTA_SIZE, ProofOfQuota, VerifiedProofOfQuota};
+use lb_key_management_system_keys::keys::{
+    ED25519_PUBLIC_KEY_SIZE, ED25519_SIGNATURE_SIZE, Ed25519PublicKey, Ed25519Signature,
+};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Deserializer, Serialize, de};
 
-use crate::{Error, MessageIdentifier, encap::ProofsVerifier};
+use crate::{
+    Error, MessageIdentifier,
+    codec::{WireDecode, WireDecodeError, WireEncode},
+    encap::ProofsVerifier,
+};
 
 const LATEST_BLEND_MESSAGE_VERSION: u8 = 1;
 
+/// The exact number of bytes a [`PublicHeader`] encodes to (a version byte plus
+/// fixed-size fields). Compile-time constant.
+pub const PUBLIC_HEADER_ENCODED_SIZE: usize =
+    size_of::<u8>() + ED25519_PUBLIC_KEY_SIZE + PROOF_OF_QUOTA_SIZE + ED25519_SIGNATURE_SIZE;
+
 // A public header that is revealed to all nodes.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
 pub struct PublicHeader {
@@ -102,6 +113,38 @@ impl PublicHeader {
     }
 }
 
+impl WireEncode for PublicHeader {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        self.version.encode_into(out);
+        self.signing_pubkey.encode_into(out);
+        self.proof_of_quota.encode_into(out);
+        self.signature.encode_into(out);
+    }
+}
+
+impl WireDecode for PublicHeader {
+    type Context = ();
+
+    fn decode(input: &[u8], (): Self::Context) -> Result<(&[u8], Self), WireDecodeError> {
+        let (input, version) = u8::decode(input, ())?;
+        if version != LATEST_BLEND_MESSAGE_VERSION {
+            return Err(WireDecodeError::UnsupportedVersion);
+        }
+        let (input, signing_pubkey) = Ed25519PublicKey::decode(input, ())?;
+        let (input, proof_of_quota) = ProofOfQuota::decode(input, ())?;
+        let (input, signature) = Ed25519Signature::decode(input, ())?;
+        Ok((
+            input,
+            Self {
+                version,
+                signing_pubkey,
+                proof_of_quota,
+                signature,
+            },
+        ))
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
 pub struct PublicHeaderWithVerifiedSignature {
     version: u8,
@@ -175,6 +218,20 @@ impl PublicHeaderWithVerifiedSignature {
     }
 }
 
+// The verified public-header variants are never decoded from the wire (a peer's
+// bytes always decode into an unverified `PublicHeader`); they only need to
+// encode, and all three variants produce identical bytes. Implementing only
+// `WireEncode` for them means a verified message can be serialized directly,
+// with no conversion/copy through `PublicHeader`.
+impl WireEncode for PublicHeaderWithVerifiedSignature {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        self.version.encode_into(out);
+        self.signing_pubkey.encode_into(out);
+        self.proof_of_quota.encode_into(out);
+        self.signature.encode_into(out);
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
 pub struct VerifiedPublicHeader {
     version: u8,
@@ -273,6 +330,15 @@ impl VerifiedPublicHeader {
     }
 }
 
+impl WireEncode for VerifiedPublicHeader {
+    fn encode_into(&self, out: &mut Vec<u8>) {
+        self.version.encode_into(out);
+        self.signing_pubkey.encode_into(out);
+        self.proof_of_quota.as_ref().encode_into(out);
+        self.signature.encode_into(out);
+    }
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use lb_blend_proofs::quota::VerifiedProofOfQuota;
diff --git a/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/mod.rs b/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/mod.rs
index 4132c9b70..30fd9af9e 100644
--- a/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/mod.rs
+++ b/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/mod.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use core::{
     mem::{self},
-    num::NonZeroUsize,
+    num::{NonZeroU64, NonZeroUsize},
 };
 use std::{
     collections::{HashMap, VecDeque, hash_map::Entry},
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ pub struct Config {
     pub peering_degree: RangeInclusive<usize>,
     /// The minimum Blend network size for messages to be relayed between peers.
     pub minimum_network_size: NonZeroUsize,
+    /// `ß_c`: the fixed number of encapsulation layers every well-formed Blend
+    /// message carries. Used to validate the layout of messages received from
+    /// remote peers before processing them.
+    pub num_blend_layers: NonZeroU64,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy)]
@@ -121,6 +125,9 @@ pub struct Behaviour<ObservationWindowClockProvider> {
     protocol_name: StreamProtocol,
     /// The minimum Blend network size for messages to be relayed between peers.
     minimum_network_size: NonZeroUsize,
+    /// `ß_c`: the fixed number of encapsulation layers every well-formed Blend
+    /// message carries.
+    num_blend_layers: NonZeroU64,
     /// States for processing messages from the old epoch
     /// before the transition period has passed.
     old_epoch: Option<OldEpoch>,
@@ -239,6 +246,7 @@ impl<ObservationWindowClockProvider> Behaviour<ObservationWindowClockProvider> {
             local_peer_id,
             protocol_name,
             minimum_network_size: config.minimum_network_size,
+            num_blend_layers: config.num_blend_layers,
             old_epoch: None,
         }
     }
@@ -266,6 +274,7 @@ impl<ObservationWindowClockProvider> Behaviour<ObservationWindowClockProvider> {
                 .collect(),
             mem::take(&mut self.message_cache),
             current_epoch_number,
+            self.num_blend_layers,
         ));
 
         tracing::debug!(target: LOG_TARGET, "Started a new epoch by passing negotiated peers and exchanged message IDs to the old epoch. Now, no negotiated peers in the current epoch.");
@@ -933,6 +942,7 @@ impl<ObservationWindowClockProvider> Behaviour<ObservationWindowClockProvider> {
             &mut self.events,
             &mut self.waker,
             self.current_epoch_info.1,
+            self.num_blend_layers,
         ) {
             tracing::debug!(target: LOG_TARGET, "Failed to handle message from the current epoch: {receive_error:?}");
             let spam_reason = match receive_error {
diff --git a/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/old_epoch.rs b/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/old_epoch.rs
index 06909241b..1c791bd80 100644
--- a/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/old_epoch.rs
+++ b/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/old_epoch.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 use std::{
     collections::{HashMap, VecDeque, hash_map::Entry},
     convert::Infallible,
+    num::NonZeroU64,
     task::{Context, Poll, Waker},
 };
 
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ pub struct OldEpoch {
     waker: Option<Waker>,
     message_cache: MessageCache,
     epoch: Epoch,
+    num_blend_layers: NonZeroU64,
 }
 
 impl OldEpoch {
@@ -46,6 +48,7 @@ impl OldEpoch {
         negotiated_peers: HashMap<PeerId, ConnectionId>,
         message_cache: MessageCache,
         epoch: Epoch,
+        num_blend_layers: NonZeroU64,
     ) -> Self {
         Self {
             negotiated_peers,
@@ -53,6 +56,7 @@ impl OldEpoch {
             events: VecDeque::new(),
             waker: None,
             epoch,
+            num_blend_layers,
         }
     }
 
@@ -154,6 +158,7 @@ impl OldEpoch {
             &mut self.events,
             &mut self.waker,
             self.epoch,
+            self.num_blend_layers,
         ).inspect_err(|receive_error| {
             tracing::debug!(target: LOG_TARGET, "Failed to handle message from the old epoch: {receive_error:?}. Closing connection with spammy peer.");
             self.events.push_back(ToSwarm::NotifyHandler {
diff --git a/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/tests/message_handling.rs b/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/tests/message_handling.rs
index 34aa42f66..574d8a0d9 100644
--- a/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/tests/message_handling.rs
+++ b/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/tests/message_handling.rs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ use core::time::Duration;
 use std::collections::HashSet;
 
 use futures::StreamExt as _;
+use lb_blend_scheduling::serialize_encapsulated_message_with_verified_public_header;
 use lb_libp2p::SwarmEvent;
 use libp2p_swarm_test::SwarmExt as _;
 use test_log::test;
@@ -145,6 +146,63 @@ async fn undeserializable_message_received() {
     }
 }
 
+#[test(tokio::test)]
+async fn message_with_unexpected_layer_count_disconnects_peer() {
+    // The listening node expects a single encapsulation layer, but the sender
+    // delivers a well-formed 3-layer message. The size gate in
+    // `EncapsulatedMessage::deserialize_from_remote` rejects it up front, and
+    // the sender is treated exactly like one delivering undeserializable bytes.
+    let (mut identities, nodes) = new_nodes_with_empty_address(2);
+    let mut dialing_swarm = TestSwarm::new(&identities.next().unwrap(), |id| {
+        BehaviourBuilder::new(id).with_membership(&nodes).build()
+    });
+    let mut listening_swarm = TestSwarm::new(&identities.next().unwrap(), |id| {
+        BehaviourBuilder::new(id)
+            .with_membership(&nodes)
+            .with_num_blend_layers(1)
+            .build()
+    });
+
+    listening_swarm.listen().with_memory_addr_external().await;
+    dialing_swarm
+        .connect_and_wait_for_upgrade(&mut listening_swarm)
+        .await;
+
+    let message = TestEncapsulatedMessage::new(b"unexpected_layer_count");
+    dialing_swarm
+        .behaviour_mut()
+        .force_send_serialized_message_to_current_epoch_peer(
+            serialize_encapsulated_message_with_verified_public_header(message.as_ref()),
+            *listening_swarm.local_peer_id(),
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+
+    let mut events_to_match = 2u8;
+    loop {
+        select! {
+            _ = dialing_swarm.select_next_some() => {}
+            listening_swarm_event = listening_swarm.select_next_some() => {
+                match listening_swarm_event {
+                    SwarmEvent::Behaviour(Event::PeerDisconnected(peer_id, peer_state)) => {
+                        assert_eq!(peer_id, *dialing_swarm.local_peer_id());
+                        assert_eq!(peer_state, NegotiatedPeerState::Spammy(SpamReason::UndeserializableMessage));
+                        events_to_match -= 1;
+                    }
+                    SwarmEvent::ConnectionClosed { peer_id, endpoint, .. } => {
+                        assert_eq!(peer_id, *dialing_swarm.local_peer_id());
+                        assert!(endpoint.is_listener());
+                        events_to_match -= 1;
+                    }
+                    _ => {}
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        if events_to_match == 0 {
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[test(tokio::test)]
 async fn duplicate_message_received_from_same_peer() {
     let (mut identities, nodes) = new_nodes_with_empty_address(2);
diff --git a/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/tests/utils.rs b/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/tests/utils.rs
index ad0679bf6..08827238d 100644
--- a/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/tests/utils.rs
+++ b/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/tests/utils.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
-use core::{num::NonZeroUsize, ops::RangeInclusive, time::Duration};
+use core::{
+    num::{NonZeroU64, NonZeroUsize},
+    ops::RangeInclusive,
+    time::Duration,
+};
 use std::{
     collections::{HashMap, VecDeque},
     iter::repeat_with,
@@ -87,6 +91,7 @@ pub struct BehaviourBuilder {
     provider: Option<IntervalProvider>,
     peering_degree: Option<RangeInclusive<usize>>,
     minimum_network_size: Option<NonZeroUsize>,
+    num_blend_layers: Option<NonZeroU64>,
 }
 
 impl BehaviourBuilder {
@@ -97,6 +102,7 @@ impl BehaviourBuilder {
             provider: None,
             peering_degree: None,
             minimum_network_size: None,
+            num_blend_layers: None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -124,6 +130,11 @@ impl BehaviourBuilder {
         self
     }
 
+    pub fn with_num_blend_layers(mut self, num_blend_layers: u64) -> Self {
+        self.num_blend_layers = Some(num_blend_layers.try_into().unwrap());
+        self
+    }
+
     pub fn build(self) -> Behaviour<IntervalProvider> {
         Behaviour {
             negotiated_peers: HashMap::new(),
@@ -144,6 +155,9 @@ impl BehaviourBuilder {
             minimum_network_size: self
                 .minimum_network_size
                 .unwrap_or_else(|| 1usize.try_into().unwrap()),
+            num_blend_layers: self
+                .num_blend_layers
+                .unwrap_or_else(|| 3.try_into().unwrap()),
             old_epoch: None,
             message_cache: MessageCache::new(),
         }
diff --git a/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/utils.rs b/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/utils.rs
index ce93c968f..47eff9cfd 100644
--- a/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/utils.rs
+++ b/blend/network/src/core/with_core/behaviour/utils.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use core::{convert::Infallible, task::Waker};
+use core::{convert::Infallible, num::NonZeroU64, task::Waker};
 use std::collections::VecDeque;
 
 use either::Either;
@@ -76,10 +76,12 @@ pub fn handle_received_serialized_encapsulated_message_and_update_cache(
     events_queue: &mut VecDeque<ToSwarm<Event, Either<FromBehaviour, Infallible>>>,
     waker: &mut Option<Waker>,
     epoch: Epoch,
+    num_blend_layers: NonZeroU64,
 ) -> Result<(), ReceiveError> {
     // Deserialize the message.
-    let deserialized_encapsulated_message = deserialize_encapsulated_message(serialized_message)
-        .map_err(|_| ReceiveError::UndeserializableMessage)?;
+    let deserialized_encapsulated_message =
+        deserialize_encapsulated_message(serialized_message, num_blend_layers)
+            .map_err(|_| ReceiveError::UndeserializableMessage)?;
 
     // Add the message to the set of exchanged message identifiers with the sender,
     // returning `Err` if the message was already sent by this peer previously.
diff --git a/blend/network/src/core/with_edge/behaviour/mod.rs b/blend/network/src/core/with_edge/behaviour/mod.rs
index ad0cd4858..1dff25dad 100644
--- a/blend/network/src/core/with_edge/behaviour/mod.rs
+++ b/blend/network/src/core/with_edge/behaviour/mod.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use core::num::NonZeroUsize;
+use core::num::{NonZeroU64, NonZeroUsize};
 use std::{
     collections::{HashSet, VecDeque},
     convert::Infallible,
@@ -51,6 +51,10 @@ pub struct Config {
     pub connection_timeout: Duration,
     pub max_incoming_connections: usize,
     pub minimum_network_size: NonZeroUsize,
+    /// `ß_c`: the fixed number of encapsulation layers every well-formed Blend
+    /// message carries. Used to validate the layout of messages received from
+    /// remote peers before processing them.
+    pub num_blend_layers: NonZeroU64,
 }
 
 /// A [`NetworkBehaviour`]:
@@ -67,6 +71,7 @@ pub struct Behaviour {
     max_incoming_connections: usize,
     protocol_name: StreamProtocol,
     minimum_network_size: NonZeroUsize,
+    num_blend_layers: NonZeroU64,
 }
 
 impl Behaviour {
@@ -85,6 +90,7 @@ impl Behaviour {
             max_incoming_connections: config.max_incoming_connections,
             protocol_name,
             minimum_network_size: config.minimum_network_size,
+            num_blend_layers: config.num_blend_layers,
         }
     }
 
@@ -153,7 +159,7 @@ impl Behaviour {
 
     fn handle_received_serialized_encapsulated_message(&mut self, serialized_message: &[u8]) {
         let Ok(deserialized_encapsulated_message) =
-            deserialize_encapsulated_message(serialized_message)
+            deserialize_encapsulated_message(serialized_message, self.num_blend_layers)
         else {
             tracing::trace!(target: LOG_TARGET, "Failed to deserialize received message. Ignoring...");
             return;
diff --git a/blend/network/src/core/with_edge/behaviour/tests/message_handling.rs b/blend/network/src/core/with_edge/behaviour/tests/message_handling.rs
index 3413078e2..675955d1d 100644
--- a/blend/network/src/core/with_edge/behaviour/tests/message_handling.rs
+++ b/blend/network/src/core/with_edge/behaviour/tests/message_handling.rs
@@ -50,6 +50,50 @@ async fn receive_valid_message() {
     }
 }
 
+#[test(tokio::test)]
+async fn reject_message_with_unexpected_layer_count() {
+    // The behaviour is configured to expect a single encapsulation layer, but
+    // the shared test helper builds a 3-layer message. The size gate in
+    // `EncapsulatedMessage::deserialize_from_remote` must reject it up front,
+    // before the (larger) message is fully parsed or its header processed.
+    let mut core_swarm = TestSwarm::new_ephemeral(|_| {
+        BehaviourBuilder::new(PeerId::random())
+            .with_num_blend_layers(1)
+            .build()
+    });
+    let mut edge_swarm = TestSwarm::new_ephemeral(|_| StreamBehaviour::new());
+
+    core_swarm.listen().with_memory_addr_external().await;
+    let stream = edge_swarm
+        .connect_and_upgrade_to_blend(&mut core_swarm)
+        .await;
+    let message = TestEncapsulatedMessage::new(b"unexpected_layer_count");
+    send_msg(
+        stream,
+        serialize_encapsulated_message_with_verified_public_header(message.as_ref()),
+    )
+    .await
+    .unwrap();
+
+    loop {
+        select! {
+            _ = edge_swarm.select_next_some() => {}
+            core_swarm_event = core_swarm.select_next_some() => {
+                match core_swarm_event {
+                    SwarmEvent::Behaviour(Event::Message(_)) => {
+                        panic!("No `Message` event should be generated for a message with an unexpected number of layers.");
+                    }
+                    SwarmEvent::ConnectionClosed { peer_id, .. } => {
+                        assert_eq!(peer_id, *edge_swarm.local_peer_id());
+                        break;
+                    }
+                    _ => {}
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[test(tokio::test)]
 async fn message_timeout() {
     let mut core_swarm = TestSwarm::new_ephemeral(|_| {
diff --git a/blend/network/src/core/with_edge/behaviour/tests/utils.rs b/blend/network/src/core/with_edge/behaviour/tests/utils.rs
index e7087e184..9073a72ff 100644
--- a/blend/network/src/core/with_edge/behaviour/tests/utils.rs
+++ b/blend/network/src/core/with_edge/behaviour/tests/utils.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-use core::{num::NonZeroUsize, time::Duration};
+use core::{
+    num::{NonZeroU64, NonZeroUsize},
+    time::Duration,
+};
 use std::collections::{HashSet, VecDeque};
 
 use async_trait::async_trait;
@@ -20,6 +23,7 @@ pub struct BehaviourBuilder {
     max_incoming_connections: Option<usize>,
     timeout: Option<Duration>,
     minimum_network_size: Option<NonZeroUsize>,
+    num_blend_layers: Option<NonZeroU64>,
 }
 
 impl BehaviourBuilder {
@@ -29,9 +33,15 @@ impl BehaviourBuilder {
             max_incoming_connections: None,
             timeout: None,
             minimum_network_size: None,
+            num_blend_layers: None,
         }
     }
 
+    pub fn with_num_blend_layers(mut self, num_blend_layers: u64) -> Self {
+        self.num_blend_layers = Some(num_blend_layers.try_into().unwrap());
+        self
+    }
+
     pub fn with_max_incoming_connections(mut self, max_incoming_connections: usize) -> Self {
         self.max_incoming_connections = Some(max_incoming_connections);
         self
@@ -71,6 +81,9 @@ impl BehaviourBuilder {
             minimum_network_size: self
                 .minimum_network_size
                 .unwrap_or_else(|| 1usize.try_into().unwrap()),
+            num_blend_layers: self
+                .num_blend_layers
+                .unwrap_or_else(|| 3.try_into().unwrap()),
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/blend/scheduling/src/message_blend/crypto/mod.rs b/blend/scheduling/src/message_blend/crypto/mod.rs
index e37cb76cd..918ed4944 100644
--- a/blend/scheduling/src/message_blend/crypto/mod.rs
+++ b/blend/scheduling/src/message_blend/crypto/mod.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ use lb_blend_message::{
         },
     },
 };
-use lb_core::codec::{DeserializeOp as _, SerializeOp};
 use lb_key_management_system_keys::keys::X25519PrivateKey;
 
 pub mod core_and_leader;
@@ -39,26 +38,23 @@ pub struct EpochCryptographicProcessorSettings {
 pub fn serialize_encapsulated_message_with_verified_public_header(
     message: &EncapsulatedMessageWithVerifiedPublicHeader,
 ) -> Vec<u8> {
-    serialize_message(message)
+    message.encode()
 }
 
 #[must_use]
 pub fn serialize_encapsulated_message_with_verified_signature(
     message: &EncapsulatedMessageWithVerifiedSignature,
 ) -> Vec<u8> {
-    serialize_message(message)
+    message.encode()
 }
 
-fn serialize_message<Message>(message: &Message) -> Vec<u8>
-where
-    Message: SerializeOp,
-{
-    message
-        .to_bytes()
-        .expect("Message should be serializable")
-        .to_vec()
-}
-
-pub fn deserialize_encapsulated_message(message: &[u8]) -> Result<EncapsulatedMessage, Error> {
-    EncapsulatedMessage::from_bytes(message).map_err(|_| Error::MessageDeserializationFailed)
+pub fn deserialize_encapsulated_message(
+    message: &[u8],
+    num_blend_layers: NonZeroU64,
+) -> Result<EncapsulatedMessage, Error> {
+    let (remaining, deserialized_message) = EncapsulatedMessage::decode(message, num_blend_layers)?;
+    if !remaining.is_empty() {
+        return Err(Error::MessageDeserializationFailed);
+    }
+    Ok(deserialized_message)
 }
diff --git a/services/blend/src/core/backends/libp2p/behaviour.rs b/services/blend/src/core/backends/libp2p/behaviour.rs
index 725b4ff33..f3cb54d71 100644
--- a/services/blend/src/core/backends/libp2p/behaviour.rs
+++ b/services/blend/src/core/backends/libp2p/behaviour.rs
@@ -39,11 +39,13 @@ where
                         peering_degree: minimum_core_healthy_peering_degree
                             ..=maximum_core_peering_degree,
                         minimum_network_size: config.minimum_network_size.try_into().unwrap(),
+                        num_blend_layers: config.num_blend_layers,
                     },
                     with_edge: lb_blend::network::core::with_edge::behaviour::Config {
                         connection_timeout: config.backend.edge_node_connection_timeout,
                         max_incoming_connections: maximum_edge_incoming_connections,
                         minimum_network_size: config.minimum_network_size.try_into().unwrap(),
+                        num_blend_layers: config.num_blend_layers,
                     },
                 },
                 observation_window_interval_provider,
diff --git a/services/blend/src/core/backends/libp2p/tests/utils.rs b/services/blend/src/core/backends/libp2p/tests/utils.rs
index dd5c471d9..611465ce8 100644
--- a/services/blend/src/core/backends/libp2p/tests/utils.rs
+++ b/services/blend/src/core/backends/libp2p/tests/utils.rs
@@ -198,11 +198,13 @@ impl BlendBehaviourBuilder {
                     with_core: CoreToCoreConfig {
                         peering_degree,
                         minimum_network_size: 1.try_into().unwrap(),
+                        num_blend_layers: 3.try_into().unwrap(),
                     },
                     with_edge: CoreToEdgeConfig {
                         connection_timeout: Duration::from_secs(1),
                         max_incoming_connections: 300,
                         minimum_network_size: 1.try_into().unwrap(),
+                        num_blend_layers: 3.try_into().unwrap(),
                     },
                 },
                 TestObservationWindowProvider {