diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/legacy_db.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/legacy_db.nim
index dc83f61f5..5e6506b3f 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/legacy_db.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/backend/legacy_db.nim
@@ -208,8 +208,7 @@ proc mptMethods(mpt: HexaryChildDbRef; db: LegacyDbRef): CoreDbMptFns =
 
     fetchFn: proc(k: openArray[byte]): CoreDbRc[Blob] =
       db.mapRlpException("legacy/mpt/get()"):
-        return ok(mpt.trie.get(k))
-    ,
+        return ok(mpt.trie.get(k)),
 
     deleteFn: proc(k: openArray[byte]): CoreDbRc[void] =
       db.mapRlpException("legacy/mpt/del()"):
@@ -223,8 +222,7 @@ proc mptMethods(mpt: HexaryChildDbRef; db: LegacyDbRef): CoreDbMptFns =
 
     containsFn: proc(k: openArray[byte]): CoreDbRc[bool] =
       db.mapRlpException("legacy/mpt/put()"):
-        return ok(mpt.trie.contains(k))
-    ,
+        return ok(mpt.trie.contains(k)),
 
     rootVidFn: proc(): CoreDbVidRef =
       db.bless(LegacyCoreDbVid(vHash: mpt.trie.rootHash)),
@@ -252,8 +250,7 @@ proc accMethods(mpt: HexaryChildDbRef; db: LegacyDbRef): CoreDbAccFns =
     fetchFn: proc(k: EthAddress): CoreDbRc[CoreDbAccount] =
       const info = "legacy/mpt/getAccount()"
       db.mapRlpException info:
-        return ok mpt.trie.get(k.keccakHash.data).toCoreDbAccount(db)
-    ,
+        return ok mpt.trie.get(k.keccakHash.data).toCoreDbAccount(db),
 
     deleteFn: proc(k: EthAddress): CoreDbRc[void] =
       db.mapRlpException("legacy/mpt/del()"):
@@ -267,8 +264,7 @@ proc accMethods(mpt: HexaryChildDbRef; db: LegacyDbRef): CoreDbAccFns =
 
     containsFn: proc(k: EthAddress): CoreDbRc[bool] =
       db.mapRlpException("legacy/mpt/put()"):
-        return ok(mpt.trie.contains k.keccakHash.data)
-    ,
+        return ok(mpt.trie.contains k.keccakHash.data),
 
     rootVidFn: proc(): CoreDbVidRef =
       db.bless(LegacyCoreDbVid(vHash: mpt.trie.rootHash)),
@@ -327,8 +323,7 @@ proc baseMethods(
 
     destroyFn: proc(ignore: bool) =
       if not closeDb.isNil:
-        closeDb()
-    ,
+        closeDb(),
 
     vidHashFn: proc(vid: CoreDbVidRef): Result[Hash256,void] =
       ok(vid.lvHash),
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/base.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/base.nim
index ed90bb168..1b92a82be 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/base.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/base.nim
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 {.push raises: [].}
 
 import
-  std/[options, typetraits],
+  std/typetraits,
   chronicles,
   eth/common,
   results,
@@ -39,9 +39,6 @@ export
   CoreDxTxID,
   CoreDxTxRef
 
-logScope:
-  topics = "core_db-base"
-
 when defined(release):
   const AutoValidateDescriptors = false
 else:
@@ -50,6 +47,11 @@ else:
 const
   ProvideCoreDbLegacyAPI = true
 
+  EnableApiTracking = true and false
+    ## When enabled, functions using this tracking facility need to import
+    ## `chronicles`, as well. Tracking is enabled by setting the `trackLegaApi`
+    ## and/or the `trackNewApi` flags to `true`.
+
 # Annotation helpers
 {.pragma:    noRaise, gcsafe, raises: [].}
 {.pragma:   apiRaise, gcsafe, raises: [CoreDbApiError].}
@@ -85,12 +87,12 @@ type
                    CoreDbMptBackendRef | CoreDbAccBackendRef
     ## Shortcut, all backend descriptors.
 
-  CoreDxChldRefs = CoreDxKvtRef | CoreDxTrieRelated | CoreDbBackends |
-                   CoreDbErrorRef
+  CoreDxChldRefs = CoreDxKvtRef | CoreDxTrieRelated | CoreDbVidRef |
+                   CoreDbBackends | CoreDbErrorRef
     ## Shortcut, all descriptors with a `parent` entry.
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Private functions: helpers
+# Private helpers
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 template logTxt(info: static[string]): static[string] =
@@ -101,6 +103,99 @@ template itNotImplemented(db: CoreDbRef, name: string) =
 
 # ---------
 
+when EnableApiTracking:
+  import std/[sequtils, strutils], stew/byteutils
+
+  template newApiTxt(info: static[string]): static[string] =
+    logTxt "new API " & info
+
+  template legaApiTxt(info: static[string]): static[string] =
+    logTxt "legacy API " & info
+
+  func getParent(w: CoreDxChldRefs): auto =
+    ## Avoida inifinite call to `parent()` in `ifTrack*Api()` tmplates
+    w.parent
+
+  template setTrackLegaApiOnly(w: CoreDbChldRefs|CoreDbRef) =
+    when typeof(w) is CoreDbRef:
+      let db = w
+    else:
+      let db = w.distinctBase.getParent
+    let save = db.trackNewApi
+    # Prevent from cascaded logging
+    db.trackNewApi = false
+    defer: db.trackNewApi = save
+
+  template ifTrackLegaApi(w: CoreDbChldRefs|CoreDbRef; code: untyped) =
+    block:
+      when typeof(w) is CoreDbRef:
+        let db = w
+      else:
+        let db = w.distinctBase.getParent
+      if db.trackLegaApi:
+        code
+
+  template ifTrackNewApi(w: CoreDxChldRefs|CoreDbRef; code: untyped) =
+    block:
+      when typeof(w) is CoreDbRef:
+        let db = w
+      else:
+        if w.isNil: break
+        let db = w.getParent
+      if db.trackNewApi:
+        code
+
+  proc oaToStr(w: openArray[byte]): string =
+    w.toHex.toLowerAscii
+
+  proc toStr(w: Hash256): string =
+    if w == EMPTY_ROOT_HASH: "EMPTY_ROOT_HASH" else: w.data.oaToStr
+
+  proc toStr(p: CoreDbVidRef): string =
+    if p.isNil: "vidRef(nil)" else: "vidRef"
+
+  proc toStr(w: Blob): string =
+    if 0 < w.len and w.len < 5: "<" & w.oaToStr & ">"
+    else: "Blob[" & $w.len & "]"
+
+  proc toStr(w: openArray[byte]): string =
+    w.oaToStr
+
+  proc toStr(w: set[CoreDbCaptFlags]): string =
+    "Flags[" & $w.len & "]"
+
+  proc toStr(rc: CoreDbRc[bool]): string =
+    if rc.isOk: "ok(" & $rc.value & ")" else: "err(..)"
+
+  proc toStr(rc: CoreDbRc[void]): string =
+    if rc.isOk: "ok()" else:"err()"
+
+  proc toStr(rc: CoreDbRc[Blob]): string =
+    if rc.isOk: "ok(Blob[" & $rc.value.len & "])" else: "err(..)"
+
+  proc toStr(rc: Result[Hash256,void]): string =
+    if rc.isOk: "ok(" & rc.value.toStr & ")" else: "err()"
+
+  proc toStr(rc: Result[Account,void]): string =
+    if rc.isOk: "ok(Account)" else: "err()"
+
+  proc toStr[T](rc: CoreDbRc[T]; ifOk: static[string]): string =
+    if rc.isOk: "ok(" & ifOk & ")" else: "err(..)"
+
+  proc toStr(rc: CoreDbRc[CoreDbRef]): string = rc.toStr "dbRef"
+  proc toStr(rc: CoreDbRc[CoreDbVidRef]): string = rc.toStr "vidRef"
+  proc toStr(rc: CoreDbRc[CoreDbAccount]): string = rc.toStr "accRef"
+  proc toStr(rc: CoreDbRc[CoreDxTxID]): string = rc.toStr "txId"
+  proc toStr(rc: CoreDbRc[CoreDxTxRef]): string = rc.toStr "txRef"
+  proc toStr(rc: CoreDbRc[CoreDxCaptRef]): string = rc.toStr "captRef"
+
+else:
+  template setTrackLegaApiOnly(w: CoreDbChldRefs|CoreDbRef) = discard
+  template ifTrackLegaApi(w: CoreDbChldRefs|CoreDbRef; code: untyped) = discard
+  template ifTrackNewApi(w: CoreDxChldRefs|CoreDbRef; code: untyped) = discard
+
+# ---------
+
 func toCoreDxPhkRef(mpt: CoreDxMptRef): CoreDxPhkRef =
   ## MPT => pre-hashed MPT (aka PHK)
   result = CoreDxPhkRef(
@@ -125,11 +220,11 @@ func toCoreDxPhkRef(mpt: CoreDxMptRef): CoreDxPhkRef =
 
   result.methods.pairsIt =
     iterator(): (Blob, Blob) {.apiRaise.} =
-      mpt.parent.itNotImplemented("pairs/phk")
+      mpt.parent.itNotImplemented("phk/pairs()")
 
   result.methods.replicateIt =
     iterator(): (Blob, Blob) {.apiRaise.} =
-      mpt.parent.itNotImplemented("replicate/phk")
+      mpt.parent.itNotImplemented("phk/replicate()")
 
   when AutoValidateDescriptors:
     result.validate
@@ -146,6 +241,7 @@ proc bless*(db: CoreDbRef): CoreDbRef =
   ## Verify descriptor
   when AutoValidateDescriptors:
     db.validate
+  db.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "CoreDbRef.init()", dbType=db.dbType
   db
 
 proc bless*(db: CoreDbRef; child: CoreDbVidRef): CoreDbVidRef =
@@ -187,21 +283,24 @@ proc bless*[T: CoreDxTrieRelated | CoreDbErrorRef | CoreDbBackends](
 
 proc dbType*(db: CoreDbRef): CoreDbType =
   ## Getter
-  db.dbType
+  result = db.dbType
+  db.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "dbType()", result
 
 proc compensateLegacySetup*(db: CoreDbRef) =
   ## On the persistent legacy hexary trie, this function is needed for
   ## bootstrapping and Genesis setup when the `purge` flag is activated.
   ## Otherwise the database backend may defect on an internal inconsistency.
   db.methods.legacySetupFn()
+  db.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "compensateLegacySetup()"
 
-func parent*(cld: CoreDxChldRefs): CoreDbRef =
+proc parent*(cld: CoreDxChldRefs): CoreDbRef =
   ## Getter, common method for all sub-modules
-  cld.parent
+  result = cld.parent
 
 proc backend*(dsc: CoreDxKvtRef | CoreDxTrieRelated | CoreDbRef): auto =
   ## Getter, retrieves the *raw* backend object for special/localised support.
-  dsc.methods.backendFn()
+  result = dsc.methods.backendFn()
+  dsc.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "backend()"
 
 proc finish*(db: CoreDbRef; flush = false) =
   ## Database destructor. If the argument `flush` is set `false`, the database
@@ -211,11 +310,13 @@ proc finish*(db: CoreDbRef; flush = false) =
   ## depends on the backend database. Currently, only the `AristoDbRocks` type
   ## backend removes the database on `true`.
   db.methods.destroyFn flush
+  db.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "finish()"
 
 proc `$$`*(e: CoreDbErrorRef): string =
   ## Pretty print error symbol, note that this directive may have side effects
   ## as it calls a backend function.
-  e.parent.methods.errorPrintFn(e)
+  result = e.parent.methods.errorPrintFn(e)
+  e.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "$$()", result
 
 proc hash*(vid: CoreDbVidRef): Result[Hash256,void] =
   ## Getter (well, sort of), retrieves the hash for a `vid` argument. The
@@ -226,9 +327,17 @@ proc hash*(vid: CoreDbVidRef): Result[Hash256,void] =
   ## The value `EMPTY_ROOT_HASH` is also returned on an empty `vid` argument
   ## `CoreDbVidRef(nil)`, say.
   ##
-  if not vid.isNil and vid.ready:
-    return vid.parent.methods.vidHashFn vid
-  ok EMPTY_ROOT_HASH
+  result = block:
+    if not vid.isNil and vid.ready:
+      vid.parent.methods.vidHashFn vid
+    else:
+      ok EMPTY_ROOT_HASH
+  # Note: tracker will be silent if `vid` is NIL
+  vid.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "hash()", result=result.toStr
+
+proc hashOrEmpty*(vid: CoreDbVidRef): Hash256 =
+  ## Convenience wrapper, returns `EMPTY_ROOT_HASH` where `hash()` would fail.
+  vid.hash.valueOr: EMPTY_ROOT_HASH
 
 proc recast*(account: CoreDbAccount): Result[Account,void] =
   ## Convert the argument `account` to the portable Ethereum representation
@@ -237,11 +346,18 @@ proc recast*(account: CoreDbAccount): Result[Account,void] =
   ##
   ## Note that for the legacy backend, this function always succeeds.
   ##
-  ok Account(
-    nonce:       account.nonce,
-    balance:     account.balance,
-    codeHash:    account.codeHash,
-    storageRoot: ? account.storageVid.hash)
+  let vid = account.storageVid
+  result = block:
+    let rc = vid.hash
+    if rc.isOk:
+      ok Account(
+        nonce:       account.nonce,
+        balance:     account.balance,
+        codeHash:    account.codeHash,
+        storageRoot: rc.value)
+    else:
+      err()
+  vid.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "recast()", result=result.toStr
 
 proc getRoot*(
     db: CoreDbRef;
@@ -261,7 +377,9 @@ proc getRoot*(
   ##       return
   ##     db.newAccMpt root
   ##
-  db.methods.getRootFn(root, createOk)
+  result = db.methods.getRootFn(root, createOk)
+  db.ifTrackNewApi:
+    info newApiTxt "getRoot()", root=root.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public key-value table methods
@@ -269,28 +387,38 @@ proc getRoot*(
 
 proc newKvt*(db: CoreDbRef): CoreDxKvtRef =
   ## Getter (pseudo constructor)
-  db.methods.newKvtFn()
+  result = db.methods.newKvtFn()
+  db.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "newKvt()"
 
 proc get*(kvt: CoreDxKvtRef; key: openArray[byte]): CoreDbRc[Blob] =
-  kvt.methods.getFn key
+  result = kvt.methods.getFn key
+  kvt.ifTrackNewApi:
+    info newApiTxt "kvt/get()", key=key.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 proc del*(kvt: CoreDxKvtRef; key: openArray[byte]): CoreDbRc[void] =
-  kvt.methods.delFn key
+  result = kvt.methods.delFn key
+  kvt.ifTrackNewApi:
+    info newApiTxt "kvt/del()", key=key.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 proc put*(
     kvt: CoreDxKvtRef;
     key: openArray[byte];
-    value: openArray[byte];
+    val: openArray[byte];
       ): CoreDbRc[void] =
-  kvt.methods.putFn(key, value)
+  result = kvt.methods.putFn(key, val)
+  kvt.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "kvt/put()",
+    key=key.toStr, val=val.toSeq.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 proc contains*(kvt: CoreDxKvtRef; key: openArray[byte]): CoreDbRc[bool] =
-  kvt.methods.containsFn key
+  result = kvt.methods.containsFn key
+  kvt.ifTrackNewApi:
+    info newApiTxt "kvt/contains()", key=key.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 iterator pairs*(kvt: CoreDxKvtRef): (Blob, Blob) {.apiRaise.} =
   ## Iterator supported on memory DB (otherwise implementation dependent)
   for k,v in kvt.methods.pairsIt():
     yield (k,v)
+  kvt.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "kvt/pairs()"
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public Merkle Patricia Tree, hexary trie constructors
@@ -299,26 +427,30 @@ iterator pairs*(kvt: CoreDxKvtRef): (Blob, Blob) {.apiRaise.} =
 proc newMpt*(db: CoreDbRef; root: CoreDbVidRef; prune = true): CoreDxMptRef =
   ## Constructor, will defect on failure (note that the legacy backend
   ## always succeeds)
-  db.methods.newMptFn(root, prune).valueOr: raiseAssert $$error
+  result = db.methods.newMptFn(root, prune).valueOr: raiseAssert $$error
+  db.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "newMpt", root=root.toStr, prune
 
 proc newAccMpt*(db: CoreDbRef; root: CoreDbVidRef; prune = true): CoreDxAccRef =
   ## Similar to `newMpt()` for handling accounts. Although this sub-trie can
   ## be emulated by means of `newMpt(..).toPhk()`, it is recommended using
   ## this constructor which implies its own subset of methods to handle that
   ## trie.
-  db.methods.newAccFn(root, prune).valueOr: raiseAssert $$error
+  result = db.methods.newAccFn(root, prune).valueOr: raiseAssert $$error
+  db.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "newAccMpt", root=root.toStr, prune
 
 proc toMpt*(phk: CoreDxPhkRef): CoreDxMptRef =
   ## Replaces the pre-hashed argument trie `phk` by the non pre-hashed *MPT*.
   ## Note that this does not apply to an accounts trie that was created by
   ## `newAccMpt()`.
-  phk.fromMpt
+  result = phk.fromMpt
+  phk.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "phk/toMpt()"
 
 proc toPhk*(mpt: CoreDxMptRef): CoreDxPhkRef =
   ## Replaces argument `mpt` by a pre-hashed *MPT*.
   ## Note that this does not apply to an accounts trie that was created by
   ## `newAaccMpt()`.
-  mpt.toCoreDxPhkRef
+  result = mpt.toCoreDxPhkRef
+  mpt.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "mpt/toPhk()"
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public common methods for all hexary trie databases (`mpt`, `phk`, or `acc`)
@@ -326,11 +458,13 @@ proc toPhk*(mpt: CoreDxMptRef): CoreDxPhkRef =
 
 proc isPruning*(dsc: CoreDxTrieRefs | CoreDxAccRef): bool =
   ## Getter
-  dsc.methods.isPruningFn()
+  result = dsc.methods.isPruningFn()
+  dsc.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "isPruning()", result
 
 proc rootVid*(dsc: CoreDxTrieRefs | CoreDxAccRef): CoreDbVidRef =
   ## Getter, result is not `nil`
-  dsc.methods.rootVidFn()
+  result = dsc.methods.rootVidFn()
+  dsc.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "rootVid()", result=result.toStr
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public generic hexary trie database methods (`mpt` or `phk`)
@@ -338,30 +472,44 @@ proc rootVid*(dsc: CoreDxTrieRefs | CoreDxAccRef): CoreDbVidRef =
 
 proc fetch*(trie: CoreDxTrieRefs; key: openArray[byte]): CoreDbRc[Blob] =
   ## Fetch data from the argument `trie`
-  trie.methods.fetchFn(key)
+  result = trie.methods.fetchFn(key)
+  trie.ifTrackNewApi:
+    info newApiTxt "trie/fetch()", key=key.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 proc delete*(trie: CoreDxTrieRefs; key: openArray[byte]): CoreDbRc[void] =
-  trie.methods.deleteFn key
+  result = trie.methods.deleteFn key
+  trie.ifTrackNewApi:
+    info newApiTxt "trie/delete()", key=key.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 proc merge*(
     trie: CoreDxTrieRefs;
     key: openArray[byte];
-    value: openArray[byte];
+    val: openArray[byte];
       ): CoreDbRc[void] =
-  trie.methods.mergeFn(key, value)
+  when trie is CoreDbMptRef:
+    const info = "mpt/merge()"
+  else:
+    const info = "phk/merge()"
+  result = trie.methods.mergeFn(key, val)
+  trie.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt info,
+    key=key.toStr, val=val.toSeq.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 proc contains*(trie: CoreDxTrieRefs; key: openArray[byte]): CoreDbRc[bool] =
-  trie.methods.containsFn key
+  result = trie.methods.containsFn key
+  trie.ifTrackNewApi:
+    info newApiTxt "trie/contains()", key=key.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 iterator pairs*(mpt: CoreDxMptRef): (Blob, Blob) {.apiRaise.} =
   ## Trie traversal, only supported for `CoreDxMptRef`
   for k,v in mpt.methods.pairsIt():
     yield (k,v)
+  mpt.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "mpt/pairs()"
 
 iterator replicate*(mpt: CoreDxMptRef): (Blob, Blob) {.apiRaise.} =
   ## Low level trie dump, only supported for `CoreDxMptRef`
   for k,v in mpt.methods.replicateIt():
     yield (k,v)
+  mpt.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "mpt/replicate()"
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public trie database methods for accounts
@@ -369,20 +517,28 @@ iterator replicate*(mpt: CoreDxMptRef): (Blob, Blob) {.apiRaise.} =
 
 proc fetch*(acc: CoreDxAccRef; address: EthAddress): CoreDbRc[CoreDbAccount] =
   ## Fetch data from the argument `trie`
-  acc.methods.fetchFn address
+  result = acc.methods.fetchFn address
+  acc.ifTrackNewApi:
+    info newApiTxt "acc/fetch()", address=address.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 proc delete*(acc: CoreDxAccRef; address: EthAddress): CoreDbRc[void] =
-  acc.methods.deleteFn address
+  result = acc.methods.deleteFn address
+  acc.ifTrackNewApi:
+    info newApiTxt "acc/delete()", address=address.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 proc merge*(
     acc: CoreDxAccRef;
     address: EthAddress;
     account: CoreDbAccount;
       ): CoreDbRc[void] =
-  acc.methods.mergeFn(address, account)
+  result = acc.methods.mergeFn(address, account)
+  acc.ifTrackNewApi:
+    info newApiTxt "acc/merge()", address=address.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 proc contains*(acc: CoreDxAccRef; address: EthAddress): CoreDbRc[bool] =
-  acc.methods.containsFn address
+  result = acc.methods.containsFn address
+  acc.ifTrackNewApi:
+    info newApiTxt "acc/contains()", address=address.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public transaction related methods
@@ -390,31 +546,37 @@ proc contains*(acc: CoreDxAccRef; address: EthAddress): CoreDbRc[bool] =
 
 proc toTransactionID*(db: CoreDbRef): CoreDbRc[CoreDxTxID] =
   ## Getter, current transaction state
-  db.methods.getIdFn()
+  result = db.methods.getIdFn()
+  db.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "toTransactionID()", result=result.toStr
 
 proc shortTimeReadOnly*(
     id: CoreDxTxID;
     action: proc() {.noRaise.};
       ): CoreDbRc[void] =
   ## Run `action()` in an earlier transaction environment.
-  id.methods.roWrapperFn action
-
+  result = id.methods.roWrapperFn action
+  id.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "shortTimeReadOnly()", result=result.toStr
 
 proc newTransaction*(db: CoreDbRef): CoreDbRc[CoreDxTxRef] =
   ## Constructor
-  db.methods.beginFn()
+  result = db.methods.beginFn()
+  db.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "newTransaction()", result=result.toStr
 
 proc commit*(tx: CoreDxTxRef, applyDeletes = true): CoreDbRc[void] =
-  tx.methods.commitFn applyDeletes
+  result = tx.methods.commitFn applyDeletes
+  tx.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "tx/commit()", result=result.toStr
 
 proc rollback*(tx: CoreDxTxRef): CoreDbRc[void] =
-  tx.methods.rollbackFn()
+  result = tx.methods.rollbackFn()
+  tx.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "tx/rollback()", result=result.toStr
 
 proc dispose*(tx: CoreDxTxRef): CoreDbRc[void] =
-  tx.methods.disposeFn()
+  result = tx.methods.disposeFn()
+  tx.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "tx/dispose()", result=result.toStr
 
 proc safeDispose*(tx: CoreDxTxRef): CoreDbRc[void] =
-  tx.methods.safeDisposeFn()
+  result = tx.methods.safeDisposeFn()
+  tx.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "tx/safeDispose()", result=result.toStr
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public tracer methods
@@ -425,18 +587,22 @@ proc newCapture*(
     flags: set[CoreDbCaptFlags] = {};
       ): CoreDbRc[CoreDxCaptRef] =
   ## Constructor
-  db.methods.captureFn flags
+  result = db.methods.captureFn flags
+  db.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "db/capture()", result=result.toStr
 
-proc recorder*(db: CoreDxCaptRef): CoreDbRc[CoreDbRef] =
+proc recorder*(cp: CoreDxCaptRef): CoreDbRc[CoreDbRef] =
   ## Getter
-  db.methods.recorderFn()
+  result = cp.methods.recorderFn()
+  cp.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "capt/recorder()", result=result.toStr
 
-proc logDb*(db: CoreDxCaptRef): CoreDbRc[CoreDbRef] =
-  db.methods.logDbFn()
+proc logDb*(cp: CoreDxCaptRef): CoreDbRc[CoreDbRef] =
+  result = cp.methods.logDbFn()
+  cp.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "capt/logDb()", result=result.toStr
 
-proc flags*(db: CoreDxCaptRef): set[CoreDbCaptFlags] =
+proc flags*(cp: CoreDxCaptRef): set[CoreDbCaptFlags] =
   ## Getter
-  db.methods.getFlagsFn()
+  result = cp.methods.getFlagsFn()
+  cp.ifTrackNewApi: info newApiTxt "capt/flags()", result=result.toStr
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public methods, legacy API
@@ -444,43 +610,68 @@ proc flags*(db: CoreDxCaptRef): set[CoreDbCaptFlags] =
 
 when ProvideCoreDbLegacyAPI:
 
-  func parent*(cld: CoreDbChldRefs): CoreDbRef =
+  proc parent*(cld: CoreDbChldRefs): CoreDbRef =
     ## Getter, common method for all sub-modules
-    cld.distinctBase.parent()
+    result = cld.distinctBase.parent
 
   proc backend*(dsc: CoreDbChldRefs): auto =
-    dsc.distinctBase.backend
+    dsc.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    result = dsc.distinctBase.backend
+    dsc.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt "parent()"
 
   # ----------------
 
   proc kvt*(db: CoreDbRef): CoreDbKvtRef =
     ## Legacy pseudo constructor, see `toKvt()` for production constructor
-    db.newKvt().CoreDbKvtRef
+    db.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    result = db.newKvt().CoreDbKvtRef
+    db.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt "kvt()"
 
   proc get*(kvt: CoreDbKvtRef; key: openArray[byte]): Blob =
-    kvt.distinctBase.get(key).expect "kvt/get()"
+    kvt.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "kvt/get()"
+    result = kvt.distinctBase.get(key).expect info
+    kvt.ifTrackLegaApi:
+      info legaApiTxt info, key=key.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
   proc del*(kvt: CoreDbKvtRef; key: openArray[byte]): void =
-    kvt.distinctBase.del(key).expect "kvt/del()"
+    kvt.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "kvt/del()"
+    kvt.distinctBase.del(key).expect info
+    kvt.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info, key=key.toStr
 
-  proc put*(db: CoreDbKvtRef; key: openArray[byte]; value: openArray[byte]) =
-    db.distinctBase.put(key, value).expect "kvt/put()"
+  proc put*(kvt: CoreDbKvtRef; key: openArray[byte]; val: openArray[byte]) =
+    kvt.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "kvt/put()"
+    kvt.distinctBase.put(key, val).expect info
+    kvt.ifTrackLegaApi:
+      info legaApiTxt info, key=key.toStr, val=val.toSeq.toStr
 
   proc contains*(kvt: CoreDbKvtRef; key: openArray[byte]): bool =
-    kvt.distinctBase.contains(key).expect "kvt/contains()"
+    kvt.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "kvt/contains()"
+    result = kvt.distinctBase.contains(key).expect info
+    kvt.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info, key=key.toStr, result
 
   iterator pairs*(kvt: CoreDbKvtRef): (Blob, Blob) {.apiRaise.} =
+    kvt.setTrackLegaApiOnly
     for k,v in kvt.distinctBase.pairs():
       yield (k,v)
+    kvt.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt "kvt/pairs()"
 
   # ----------------
 
   proc toMpt*(phk: CoreDbPhkRef): CoreDbMptRef =
-    phk.distinctBase.toMpt.CoreDbMptRef
+    phk.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    result = phk.distinctBase.toMpt.CoreDbMptRef
+    phk.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt "phk/toMpt()"
 
   proc mptPrune*(db: CoreDbRef; root: Hash256; prune = true): CoreDbMptRef =
-    let vid = db.getRoot(root, createOk=true).expect "mpt/getRoot()"
-    db.newMpt(vid, prune).CoreDbMptRef
+    db.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "mptPrune()"
+    let vid = db.getRoot(root, createOk=true).expect info
+    result = db.newMpt(vid, prune).CoreDbMptRef
+    db.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info, root=root.toStr, prune
 
   proc mptPrune*(db: CoreDbRef; prune = true): CoreDbMptRef =
     db.newMpt(CoreDbVidRef(nil), prune).CoreDbMptRef
@@ -488,11 +679,16 @@ when ProvideCoreDbLegacyAPI:
   # ----------------
 
   proc toPhk*(mpt: CoreDbMptRef): CoreDbPhkRef =
-    mpt.distinctBase.toPhk.CoreDbPhkRef
+    mpt.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    result = mpt.distinctBase.toPhk.CoreDbPhkRef
+    mpt.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt "mpt/toMpt()"
 
   proc phkPrune*(db: CoreDbRef; root: Hash256; prune = true): CoreDbPhkRef =
-    let vid = db.getRoot(root, createOk=true).expect "phk/getRoot()"
-    db.newMpt(vid, prune).toCoreDxPhkRef.CoreDbPhkRef
+    db.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "phkPrune()"
+    let vid = db.getRoot(root, createOk=true).expect info
+    result = db.newMpt(vid, prune).toCoreDxPhkRef.CoreDbPhkRef
+    db.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info, root=root.toStr, prune
 
   proc phkPrune*(db: CoreDbRef; prune = true): CoreDbPhkRef =
     db.newMpt(CoreDbVidRef(nil), prune).toCoreDxPhkRef.CoreDbPhkRef
@@ -500,42 +696,73 @@ when ProvideCoreDbLegacyAPI:
   # ----------------
 
   proc isPruning*(trie: CoreDbTrieRefs): bool =
-    trie.distinctBase.isPruning()
+    trie.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    result = trie.distinctBase.isPruning()
+    trie.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt "trie/isPruning()", result
 
   proc get*(trie: CoreDbTrieRefs; key: openArray[byte]): Blob =
-    trie.distinctBase.fetch(key).expect "trie/get()"
+    trie.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "trie/get()"
+    result = trie.distinctBase.fetch(key).expect "trie/get()"
+    trie.ifTrackLegaApi:
+      info legaApiTxt info, key=key.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
   proc del*(trie: CoreDbTrieRefs; key: openArray[byte]) =
-    trie.distinctBase.delete(key).expect "trie/del()"
+    trie.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "trie/del()"
+    trie.distinctBase.delete(key).expect info
+    trie.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info, key=key.toStr
 
   proc put*(trie: CoreDbTrieRefs; key: openArray[byte]; val: openArray[byte]) =
-    trie.distinctBase.merge(key, val).expect "trie/put()"
+    trie.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    when trie is CoreDbMptRef:
+      const info = "mpt/put()"
+    else:
+      const info = "phk/put()"
+    trie.distinctBase.merge(key, val).expect info
+    trie.ifTrackLegaApi:
+      info legaApiTxt info, key=key.toStr, val=val.toSeq.toStr
 
   proc contains*(trie: CoreDbTrieRefs; key: openArray[byte]): bool =
-    trie.distinctBase.contains(key).expect "trie/contains()"
+    trie.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "trie/contains()"
+    result = trie.distinctBase.contains(key).expect info
+    trie.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info, key=key.toStr, result
 
   proc rootHash*(trie: CoreDbTrieRefs): Hash256 =
-    trie.distinctBase.rootVid().hash().expect "trie/rootHash()"
+    trie.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "trie/rootHash()"
+    result = trie.distinctBase.rootVid().hash().expect info
+    trie.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info, result=result.toStr
 
   iterator pairs*(mpt: CoreDbMptRef): (Blob, Blob) {.apiRaise.} =
     ## Trie traversal, not supported for `CoreDbPhkRef`
+    mpt.setTrackLegaApiOnly
     for k,v in mpt.distinctBase.pairs():
       yield (k,v)
+    mpt.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt "mpt/pairs()"
 
   iterator replicate*(mpt: CoreDbMptRef): (Blob, Blob) {.apiRaise.} =
     ## Low level trie dump, not supported for `CoreDbPhkRef`
+    mpt.setTrackLegaApiOnly
     for k,v in mpt.distinctBase.replicate():
       yield (k,v)
+    mpt.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt "mpt/replicate()"
 
   # ----------------
 
   proc getTransactionID*(db: CoreDbRef): CoreDbTxID =
-    (db.toTransactionID().expect "getTransactionID()").CoreDbTxID
+    db.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "getTransactionID()"
+    result = (db.toTransactionID().expect info).CoreDbTxID
+    db.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info
 
   proc shortTimeReadOnly*(
       id: CoreDbTxID;
       action: proc() {.catchRaise.};
         ) {.catchRaise.} =
+    id.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "txId/shortTimeReadOnly()"
     var oops = none(ref CatchableError)
     proc safeFn() =
       try:
@@ -544,7 +771,7 @@ when ProvideCoreDbLegacyAPI:
         oops = some(e)
       # Action has finished now
 
-    id.distinctBase.shortTimeReadOnly(safeFn).expect "txId/shortTimeReadOnly()"
+    id.distinctBase.shortTimeReadOnly(safeFn).expect info
 
     # Delayed exception
     if oops.isSome:
@@ -553,21 +780,37 @@ when ProvideCoreDbLegacyAPI:
         msg = "delayed and reraised" &
           ", name=\"" & $e.name & "\", msg=\"" & e.msg & "\""
       raise (ref TxWrapperApiError)(msg: msg)
+    id.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info
 
   proc beginTransaction*(db: CoreDbRef): CoreDbTxRef =
-    (db.distinctBase.newTransaction().expect "newTransaction()").CoreDbTxRef
+    db.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "newTransaction()"
+    result = (db.distinctBase.newTransaction().expect info).CoreDbTxRef
+    db.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info
 
   proc commit*(tx: CoreDbTxRef, applyDeletes = true) =
-    tx.distinctBase.commit(applyDeletes).expect "tx/commit()"
+    tx.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "tx/commit()"
+    tx.distinctBase.commit(applyDeletes).expect info
+    tx.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info
 
   proc rollback*(tx: CoreDbTxRef) =
-    tx.distinctBase.rollback().expect "tx/rollback()"
+    tx.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "tx/rollback()"
+    tx.distinctBase.rollback().expect info
+    tx.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info
 
   proc dispose*(tx: CoreDbTxRef) =
-    tx.distinctBase.dispose().expect "tx/dispose()"
+    tx.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "tx/dispose()"
+    tx.distinctBase.dispose().expect info
+    tx.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info
 
   proc safeDispose*(tx: CoreDbTxRef) =
-    tx.distinctBase.safeDispose().expect "tx/safeDispose()"
+    tx.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "tx/safeDispose()"
+    tx.distinctBase.safeDispose().expect info
+    tx.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info
 
   # ----------------
 
@@ -575,16 +818,27 @@ when ProvideCoreDbLegacyAPI:
       db: CoreDbRef;
       flags: set[CoreDbCaptFlags] = {};
         ): CoreDbCaptRef =
-    db.newCapture(flags).expect("db/capture()").CoreDbCaptRef
+    db.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "db/capture()"
+    result = db.newCapture(flags).expect(info).CoreDbCaptRef
+    db.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info
 
-  proc recorder*(db: CoreDbCaptRef): CoreDbRef =
-    db.distinctBase.recorder().expect("db/recorder()")
+  proc recorder*(cp: CoreDbCaptRef): CoreDbRef =
+    cp.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "capt/recorder()"
+    result = cp.distinctBase.recorder().expect info
+    cp.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info
 
-  proc logDb*(db: CoreDbCaptRef): CoreDbRef =
-    db.distinctBase.logDb().expect("db/logDb()")
+  proc logDb*(cp: CoreDbCaptRef): CoreDbRef =
+    cp.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    const info = "capt/logDb()"
+    result = cp.distinctBase.logDb().expect info
+    cp.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt info
 
-  proc flags*(db: CoreDbCaptRef): set[CoreDbCaptFlags] =
-    db.distinctBase.flags()
+  proc flags*(cp: CoreDbCaptRef): set[CoreDbCaptFlags] =
+    cp.setTrackLegaApiOnly
+    result = cp.distinctBase.flags()
+    cp.ifTrackLegaApi: info legaApiTxt "capt/flags()", result=result.toStr
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # End
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim
index 14b0d5b80..6fe98f157 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim
@@ -24,12 +24,9 @@ type
     Ooops
     LegacyDbMemory
     LegacyDbPersistent
-    AristoDbMemory            ## Memory backend emulator
-    AristoDbRocks             ## RocksDB backend
-    AristoDbVoid              ## No backend (to be prefered over `XxxDbMemory`)
 
 const
-  CoreDbPersistentTypes* = {LegacyDbPersistent, AristoDbRocks}
+  CoreDbPersistentTypes* = {LegacyDbPersistent}
 
 type
   CoreDbRc*[T] = Result[T,CoreDbErrorRef]
@@ -215,7 +212,11 @@ type
   # --------------------------------------------------
   CoreDbRef* = ref object of RootRef
     ## Database descriptor
-    dbType*: CoreDbType
+    dbType*: CoreDbType    ## Type of database backend
+    trackLegaApi*: bool    ## Debugging support
+    trackNewApi*: bool     ## Debugging support
+    trackLedgerApi*: bool  ## Debugging suggestion for subsequent ledger
+    localDbOnly*: bool     ## Debugging, suggestion to ignore async fetch
     methods*: CoreDbBaseFns
 
   CoreDbErrorRef* = ref object of RootRef
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/memory_only.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/memory_only.nim
index c5417580f..0825b6250 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/memory_only.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/memory_only.nim
@@ -42,13 +42,13 @@ export
   CoreDxPhkRef,
   CoreDxTxID,
   CoreDxTxRef,
+  `$$`,
   backend,
   beginTransaction,
   capture,
   commit,
   compensateLegacySetup,
   contains,
-  dbType,
   del,
   delete,
   dispose,
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ export
   getRoot,
   getTransactionID,
   hash,
+  hashOrEmpty,
   isLegacy,
   isPruning,
   kvt,
@@ -66,6 +67,7 @@ export
   mptPrune,
   newAccMpt,
   newCapture,
+  newKvt,
   newMpt,
   newTransaction,
   pairs,
diff --git a/nimbus/db/core_db/persistent.nim b/nimbus/db/core_db/persistent.nim
index e3333893d..51f8de6cb 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/core_db/persistent.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/core_db/persistent.nim
@@ -32,9 +32,6 @@ proc newCoreDbRef*(
   when dbType == LegacyDbPersistent:
     newLegacyPersistentCoreDbRef path
 
-  elif dbType == AristoDbRocks:
-    newAristoRocksDbCoreDbRef path
-
   else:
     {.error: "Unsupported dbType for persistent newCoreDbRef()".}
 
diff --git a/nimbus/db/distinct_tries.nim b/nimbus/db/distinct_tries.nim
index 131603e92..fb7ebca7c 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/distinct_tries.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/distinct_tries.nim
@@ -11,8 +11,10 @@
 {.push raises: [].}
 
 import
+  std/[algorithm, sequtils, strutils, tables],
   eth/[common, trie/hexary],
-  ./core_db
+  chronicles,
+  "."/[core_db, storage_types]
 
 type
   DB = CoreDbRef
@@ -20,11 +22,49 @@ type
   StorageTrie* = distinct CoreDbPhkRef
   DistinctTrie* = AccountsTrie | StorageTrie
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Private helper
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 func toBase(t: DistinctTrie): CoreDbPhkRef =
   ## Note that `CoreDbPhkRef` is a distinct variant of `CoreDxPhkRef` for
   ## the legacy API.
   t.CoreDbPhkRef
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Public debugging helpers
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+proc toSvp*(sl: StorageTrie): seq[(UInt256,UInt256)] =
+  ## Dump as slot id-value pair sequence
+  let
+    db = sl.toBase.parent
+    save = db.trackLegaApi
+  db.trackLegaApi = false
+  defer: db.trackLegaApi = save
+  let kvt = db.kvt
+  var kvp: Table[UInt256,UInt256]
+  try:
+    for (slotHash,val) in sl.toBase.toMpt.pairs:
+      if slotHash.len == 0:
+        kvp[high UInt256] = high UInt256
+      else:
+        let slotRlp = kvt.get(slotHashToSlotKey(slotHash).toOpenArray)
+        if slotRlp.len == 0:
+          kvp[high UInt256] = high UInt256
+        else:
+          kvp[rlp.decode(slotRlp,UInt256)] = rlp.decode(val,UInt256)
+  except CatchableError as e:
+    raiseAssert "Ooops(" & $e.name & "): " & e.msg
+  kvp.keys.toSeq.sorted.mapIt((it,kvp.getOrDefault(it,high UInt256)))
+
+proc toStr*(w: seq[(UInt256,UInt256)]): string =
+  "[" & w.mapIt("(" & it[0].toHex & "," & it[1].toHex & ")").join(", ") & "]"
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Public helpers
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 # I don't understand why "borrow" doesn't work here. --Adam
 proc rootHash*   (t: DistinctTrie): KeccakHash   = t.toBase.rootHash()
 proc rootHashHex*(t: DistinctTrie): string       = $t.toBase.rootHash()
@@ -33,6 +73,9 @@ proc isPruning*  (t: DistinctTrie): bool         = t.toBase.isPruning()
 proc mpt*        (t: DistinctTrie): CoreDbMptRef = t.toBase.toMpt()
 func phk*        (t: DistinctTrie): CoreDbPhkRef = t.toBase
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Public functions: accounts trie
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 template initAccountsTrie*(db: DB, rootHash: KeccakHash, isPruning = true): AccountsTrie =
   AccountsTrie(db.phkPrune(rootHash, isPruning))
@@ -56,9 +99,11 @@ proc putAccountBytes*(trie: var AccountsTrie, address: EthAddress, value: openAr
 proc delAccountBytes*(trie: var AccountsTrie, address: EthAddress) =
   CoreDbPhkRef(trie).del(address)
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Public functions: storage trie
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-
-template initStorageTrie*(db: DB, rootHash: KeccakHash, isPruning = true): StorageTrie =
+proc initStorageTrie*(db: DB, rootHash: KeccakHash, isPruning = true): StorageTrie =
   StorageTrie(db.phkPrune(rootHash, isPruning))
 
 template initStorageTrie*(db: DB, isPruning = true): StorageTrie =
@@ -96,3 +141,7 @@ proc storageTrieForAccount*(trie: AccountsTrie, account: Account, isPruning = tr
   # it will create virtual container for each account.
   # see nim-eth#9
   initStorageTrie(trie.db, account.storageRoot, isPruning)
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# End
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/nimbus/db/ledger.nim b/nimbus/db/ledger.nim
index 577f66abf..e2793aee7 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/ledger.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/ledger.nim
@@ -28,9 +28,30 @@ import
 export
   AccountsCache,
   AccountsLedgerRef,
+  LedgerType,
   base,
   init
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Public constructor
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+proc init*(
+    ldgType: LedgerType;
+    db: CoreDbRef;
+    root: Hash256;
+    pruneTrie: bool;
+      ): LedgerRef =
+  case ldgType:
+  of LegacyAccountsCache:
+    result = AccountsCache.init(db, root, pruneTrie)
+
+  of LedgerCache:
+    result = AccountsLedgerRef.init(db, root, pruneTrie)
+
+  else:
+    raiseAssert: "Missing ledger type label"
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public iterators
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/nimbus/db/ledger/accounts_cache.nim b/nimbus/db/ledger/accounts_cache.nim
index b022d39d1..45d354965 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/ledger/accounts_cache.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/ledger/accounts_cache.nim
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 
 import
   std/[tables, hashes, sets],
+  chronicles,
   eth/[common, rlp],
   ../../../stateless/multi_keys,
   ../../constants,
diff --git a/nimbus/db/ledger/accounts_ledger.nim b/nimbus/db/ledger/accounts_ledger.nim
index fe3f27469..27e70c853 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/ledger/accounts_ledger.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/ledger/accounts_ledger.nim
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 
 import
   std/[tables, hashes, sets],
+  chronicles,
   eth/[common, rlp],
   results,
   ../../../stateless/multi_keys,
@@ -54,7 +55,6 @@ type
     codeTouched*: bool
 
   AccountsLedgerRef* = ref object
-    kvt: CoreDbKvtRef # Legacy API is god enough here
     ledger: AccountLedger
     savePoint: LedgerSavePoint
     witnessCache: Table[EthAddress, WitnessData]
@@ -114,6 +114,9 @@ proc beginSavepoint*(ac: AccountsLedgerRef): LedgerSavePoint {.gcsafe.}
 # take this out once those are gone.
 proc rawTrie*(ac: AccountsLedgerRef): AccountLedger = ac.ledger
 
+proc db(ac: AccountsLedgerRef): CoreDbRef = ac.ledger.db
+proc kvt(ac: AccountsLedgerRef): CoreDbKvtRef = ac.db.kvt
+
 func newCoreDbAccount: CoreDbAccount =
   CoreDbAccount(
     nonce:      emptyAcc.nonce,
@@ -131,7 +134,6 @@ template noRlpException(info: static[string]; code: untyped) =
 proc init*(x: typedesc[AccountsLedgerRef], db: CoreDbRef,
            root: KeccakHash, pruneTrie = true): AccountsLedgerRef =
   new result
-  result.kvt = db.kvt
   result.ledger = AccountLedger.init(db, root, pruneTrie)
   result.witnessCache = initTable[EthAddress, WitnessData]()
   discard result.beginSavepoint
diff --git a/nimbus/db/ledger/backend/accounts_cache.nim b/nimbus/db/ledger/backend/accounts_cache.nim
index 4f1e574f2..c82a6e334 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/ledger/backend/accounts_cache.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/ledger/backend/accounts_cache.nim
@@ -183,6 +183,19 @@ proc ledgerExtras(lc: impl.AccountsCache): LedgerExtras =
     rawRootHashFn: proc(): Hash256 =
       lc.rawTrie.rootHash())
 
+
+proc newLegacyAccountsCache(
+    db: CoreDbRef;
+    root: Hash256;
+    pruneTrie: bool): LedgerRef =
+  ## Constructor
+  let lc = impl.AccountsCache.init(db, root, pruneTrie)
+  wrp.AccountsCache(
+    ldgType:   LegacyAccountsCache,
+    ac:        lc,
+    extras:    lc.ledgerExtras(),
+    methods:   lc.ledgerMethods()).bless db
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public iterators
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -224,13 +237,7 @@ proc init*(
     db: CoreDbRef;
     root: Hash256;
     pruneTrie: bool): LedgerRef =
-  let lc = impl.AccountsCache.init(db, root, pruneTrie)
-  result = T(
-    ldgType:   LegacyAccountsCache,
-    ac:        lc,
-    extras:    lc.ledgerExtras(),
-    methods:   lc.ledgerMethods())
-  result.validate
+  db.newLegacyAccountsCache(root, pruneTrie)
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # End
diff --git a/nimbus/db/ledger/backend/accounts_ledger.nim b/nimbus/db/ledger/backend/accounts_ledger.nim
index b267f08ae..eb8d022ed 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/ledger/backend/accounts_ledger.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/ledger/backend/accounts_ledger.nim
@@ -138,10 +138,10 @@ proc ledgerMethods(lc: impl.AccountsLedgerRef): LedgerFns =
     safeDisposeFn: proc(sp: LedgerSpRef) =
       lc.safeDispose(sp.savePoint),
 
-    selfDestruct6780Fn: proc(eAddr: EthAddress) =
+    selfDestructFn: proc(eAddr: EthAddress) =
       lc.selfDestruct(eAddr),
 
-    selfDestructFn: proc(eAddr: EthAddress) =
+    selfDestruct6780Fn: proc(eAddr: EthAddress) =
       lc.selfDestruct6780(eAddr),
 
     selfDestructLenFn: proc(): int =
@@ -170,6 +170,18 @@ proc ledgerExtras(lc: impl.AccountsLedgerRef): LedgerExtras =
     rawRootHashFn: proc(): Hash256 =
       lc.rawTrie.rootHash())
 
+
+proc newAccountsLedgerRef(
+    db: CoreDbRef;
+    root: Hash256;
+    pruneTrie: bool): LedgerRef =
+  let lc = impl.AccountsLedgerRef.init(db, root, pruneTrie)
+  wrp.AccountsLedgerRef(
+    ldgType:   LedgerCache,
+    ac:        lc,
+    extras:    lc.ledgerExtras(),
+    methods:   lc.ledgerMethods()).bless db
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public iterators
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -210,13 +222,7 @@ proc init*(
     db: CoreDbRef;
     root: Hash256;
     pruneTrie: bool): LedgerRef =
-  let lc = impl.AccountsLedgerRef.init(db, root, pruneTrie)
-  result = T(
-    ldgType:   LedgerCache,
-    ac:        lc,
-    extras:    lc.ledgerExtras(),
-    methods:   lc.ledgerMethods())
-  result.validate
+  db.newAccountsLedgerRef(root, pruneTrie)
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # End
diff --git a/nimbus/db/ledger/base.nim b/nimbus/db/ledger/base.nim
index 5191de726..d39940deb 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/ledger/base.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/ledger/base.nim
@@ -14,7 +14,9 @@
 
 import
   eth/common,
+  chronicles,
   ../../../stateless/multi_keys,
+  ../core_db,
   ./base/[base_desc, validate]
 
 type
@@ -30,16 +32,57 @@ when defined(release):
 else:
   const AutoValidateDescriptors = true
 
+const
+  EnableApiTracking = true and false
+    ## When enabled, API functions are logged. Tracking is enabled by setting
+    ## the `trackApi` flag to `true`.
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Private helpers
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+when EnableApiTracking:
+  import std/strutils, stew/byteutils
+
+  template apiTxt(info: static[string]): static[string] =
+    "Ledger API " & info
+
+  template ifTrackApi(ldg: LedgerRef; code: untyped) =
+    when EnableApiTracking:
+      if ldg.trackApi:
+        code
+
+  proc oaToStr(w: openArray[byte]): string =
+    w.toHex.toLowerAscii
+
+  proc toStr(w: EthAddress): string =
+    w.oaToStr
+
+  proc toStr(w: Hash256): string =
+    w.data.oaToStr
+
+  proc toStr(w: Blob): string =
+    if 0 < w.len and w.len < 5: "<" & w.oaToStr & ">"
+    else: "Blob[" & $w.len & "]"
+
+  proc toStr(w: seq[Log]): string =
+    "Logs[" & $w.len & "]"
+
+else:
+  template ifTrackApi(ldg: LedgerRef; code: untyped) = discard
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public constructor helper
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-when AutoValidateDescriptors:
-  proc validate*(ldg: LedgerRef) =
-    validate.validate(ldg)
-else:
-  template validate*(ldg: LedgerRef) =
-    discard
+proc bless*(ldg: LedgerRef; db: CoreDbRef): LedgerRef =
+  when AutoValidateDescriptors:
+    ldg.validate()
+  when EnableApiTracking:
+    ldg.trackApi = db.trackLedgerApi
+    if ldg.trackApi:
+      info apiTxt "LedgerRef.init()", ldgType=ldg.ldgType
+  ldg
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public methods
@@ -47,145 +90,197 @@ else:
 
 proc accessList*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress) =
   ldg.methods.accessListFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "accessList()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr
 
 proc accessList*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress, slot: UInt256) =
   ldg.methods.accessList2Fn(eAddr, slot)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "accessList()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, slot
 
 proc accountExists*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress): bool =
-  ldg.methods.accountExistsFn(eAddr)
+  result = ldg.methods.accountExistsFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "accountExists()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, result
 
 proc addBalance*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress, delta: UInt256) =
   ldg.methods.addBalanceFn(eAddr, delta)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "addBalance()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, delta
 
 proc addLogEntry*(ldg: LedgerRef, log: Log) =
   ldg.methods.addLogEntryFn(log)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "addLogEntry()"
 
 proc beginSavepoint*(ldg: LedgerRef): LedgerSpRef =
-  ldg.methods.beginSavepointFn()
+  result = ldg.methods.beginSavepointFn()
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "beginSavepoint()"
 
 proc clearStorage*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress) =
   ldg.methods.clearStorageFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "clearStorage()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr
 
 proc clearTransientStorage*(ldg: LedgerRef) =
   ldg.methods.clearTransientStorageFn()
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "clearTransientStorage()"
 
 proc collectWitnessData*(ldg: LedgerRef) =
   ldg.methods.collectWitnessDataFn()
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "collectWitnessData()"
 
 proc commit*(ldg: LedgerRef, sp: LedgerSpRef) =
   ldg.methods.commitFn(sp)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "commit()"
 
 proc deleteAccount*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress) =
   ldg.methods.deleteAccountFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "deleteAccount()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr
 
 proc dispose*(ldg: LedgerRef, sp: LedgerSpRef) =
   ldg.methods.disposeFn(sp)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "dispose()"
 
 proc getAndClearLogEntries*(ldg: LedgerRef): seq[Log] =
-  ldg.methods.getAndClearLogEntriesFn()
+  result = ldg.methods.getAndClearLogEntriesFn()
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "getAndClearLogEntries()"
 
 proc getBalance*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress): UInt256 =
-  ldg.methods.getBalanceFn(eAddr)
+  result = ldg.methods.getBalanceFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "getBalance()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, result
 
 proc getCode*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress): Blob =
-  ldg.methods.getCodeFn(eAddr)
+  result = ldg.methods.getCodeFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi:
+    info apiTxt "getCode()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 proc getCodeHash*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress): Hash256  =
-  ldg.methods.getCodeHashFn(eAddr)
+  result = ldg.methods.getCodeHashFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi:
+    info apiTxt "getCodeHash()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 proc getCodeSize*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress): int =
-  ldg.methods.getCodeSizeFn(eAddr)
+  result = ldg.methods.getCodeSizeFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "getCodeSize()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, result
 
 proc getCommittedStorage*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress, slot: UInt256): UInt256 =
-  ldg.methods.getCommittedStorageFn(eAddr, slot)
+  result = ldg.methods.getCommittedStorageFn(eAddr, slot)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi:
+    info apiTxt "getCommittedStorage()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, slot, result
 
 proc getNonce*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress): AccountNonce =
-  ldg.methods.getNonceFn(eAddr)
+  result = ldg.methods.getNonceFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "getNonce()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, result
 
 proc getStorage*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress, slot: UInt256): UInt256 =
-  ldg.methods.getStorageFn(eAddr, slot)
+  result = ldg.methods.getStorageFn(eAddr, slot)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "getStorage()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, slot, result
 
 proc getStorageRoot*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress): Hash256 =
-  ldg.methods.getStorageRootFn(eAddr)
+  result = ldg.methods.getStorageRootFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi:
+    info apiTxt "getStorageRoot()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, result=result.toStr
 
 proc getTransientStorage*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress, slot: UInt256): UInt256 =
-  ldg.methods.getTransientStorageFn(eAddr, slot)
+  result = ldg.methods.getTransientStorageFn(eAddr, slot)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi:
+    info apiTxt "getTransientStorage()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, slot, result
 
 proc hasCodeOrNonce*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress): bool =
-  ldg.methods.hasCodeOrNonceFn(eAddr)
+  result = ldg.methods.hasCodeOrNonceFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "hasCodeOrNonce()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, result
 
 proc inAccessList*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress): bool =
-  ldg.methods.inAccessListFn(eAddr)
+  result = ldg.methods.inAccessListFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "inAccessList()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, result
 
 proc inAccessList*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress, slot: UInt256): bool =
-  ldg.methods.inAccessList2Fn(eAddr, slot)
+  result = ldg.methods.inAccessList2Fn(eAddr, slot)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "inAccessList()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, slot, result
 
 proc incNonce*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress) =
   ldg.methods.incNonceFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "incNonce()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr
 
 proc isDeadAccount*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress): bool =
-  ldg.methods.isDeadAccountFn(eAddr)
+  result = ldg.methods.isDeadAccountFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "isDeadAccount()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, result
 
 proc isEmptyAccount*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress): bool =
-  ldg.methods.isEmptyAccountFn(eAddr)
+  result = ldg.methods.isEmptyAccountFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "isEmptyAccount()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, result
 
 proc isTopLevelClean*(ldg: LedgerRef): bool =
-  ldg.methods.isTopLevelCleanFn()
+  result = ldg.methods.isTopLevelCleanFn()
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "isTopLevelClean()", result
 
 proc logEntries*(ldg: LedgerRef): seq[Log] =
-  ldg.methods.logEntriesFn()
+  result = ldg.methods.logEntriesFn()
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "logEntries()", result=result.toStr
 
 proc makeMultiKeys*(ldg: LedgerRef): MultikeysRef =
-  ldg.methods.makeMultiKeysFn()
+  result = ldg.methods.makeMultiKeysFn()
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "makeMultiKeys()"
 
 proc persist*(ldg: LedgerRef, clearEmptyAccount = false, clearCache = true) =
   ldg.methods.persistFn(clearEmptyAccount, clearCache)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "persist()", clearEmptyAccount, clearCache
 
 proc ripemdSpecial*(ldg: LedgerRef) =
   ldg.methods.ripemdSpecialFn()
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "ripemdSpecial()"
 
 proc rollback*(ldg: LedgerRef, sp: LedgerSpRef) =
   ldg.methods.rollbackFn(sp)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "rollback()"
 
 proc rootHash*(ldg: LedgerRef): Hash256 =
-  ldg.methods.rootHashFn()
+  result = ldg.methods.rootHashFn()
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "rootHash()", result=result.toStr
 
 proc safeDispose*(ldg: LedgerRef, sp: LedgerSpRef) =
   ldg.methods.safeDisposeFn(sp)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "safeDispose()"
 
 proc selfDestruct*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress) =
   ldg.methods.selfDestructFn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "selfDestruct()"
 
 proc selfDestruct6780*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress) =
   ldg.methods.selfDestruct6780Fn(eAddr)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "selfDestruct6780()"
 
 proc selfDestructLen*(ldg: LedgerRef): int =
-  ldg.methods.selfDestructLenFn()
+  result = ldg.methods.selfDestructLenFn()
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "selfDestructLen()", result
 
 proc setBalance*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress, balance: UInt256) =
   ldg.methods.setBalanceFn(eAddr, balance)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "setBalance()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, balance
 
 proc setCode*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress, code: Blob) =
   ldg.methods.setCodeFn(eAddr, code)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "setCode()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, code=code.toStr
 
 proc setNonce*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress, nonce: AccountNonce) =
   ldg.methods.setNonceFn(eAddr, nonce)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "setNonce()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, nonce
 
 proc setStorage*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress, slot, val: UInt256) =
   ldg.methods.setStorageFn(eAddr, slot, val)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "setStorage()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, slot, val
 
 proc setTransientStorage*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress, slot, val: UInt256) =
   ldg.methods.setTransientStorageFn(eAddr, slot, val)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi:
+    info apiTxt "setTransientStorage()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, slot, val
 
 proc subBalance*(ldg: LedgerRef, eAddr: EthAddress, delta: UInt256) =
   ldg.methods.subBalanceFn(eAddr, delta)
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "setTransientStorage()", eAddr=eAddr.toStr, delta
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public methods, extensions to go away
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 proc rawRootHash*(ldg: LedgerRef): Hash256 =
-  ldg.extras.rawRootHashFn()
+  result = ldg.extras.rawRootHashFn()
+  ldg.ifTrackApi: info apiTxt "rawRootHash()", result=result.toStr
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public virtual read-only methods
diff --git a/nimbus/db/ledger/base/base_desc.nim b/nimbus/db/ledger/base/base_desc.nim
index bf3fc3deb..8a306496f 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/ledger/base/base_desc.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/ledger/base/base_desc.nim
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ type
   LedgerRef* = ref object of RootRef
     ## Root object with closures
     ldgType*: LedgerType    ## For debugging
+    trackApi*: bool         ## For debugging
     extras*: LedgerExtras   ## Support might go away
     methods*: LedgerFns
 
diff --git a/nimbus/db/ledger/distinct_ledgers.nim b/nimbus/db/ledger/distinct_ledgers.nim
index 281fb87ab..8d6e14a48 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/ledger/distinct_ledgers.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/ledger/distinct_ledgers.nim
@@ -10,21 +10,55 @@
 
 {.push raises: [].}
 
-## Re-write of `distinct_tries.nim` to be imported into `accounts_cache.nim`
+## Re-write of `distinct_tries.nim` to be imported into `accounts_ledger.nim`
 ## for using new database API.
 ##
 
 import
-  std/typetraits,
+  std/[algorithm, sequtils, strutils, tables, typetraits],
+  chronicles,
   eth/common,
   results,
-  ../core_db
+  ".."/[core_db, storage_types]
 
 type
   AccountLedger* = distinct CoreDxAccRef
   StorageLedger* = distinct CoreDxPhkRef
   SomeLedger* = AccountLedger | StorageLedger
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Public debugging helpers
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+proc toSvp*(sl: StorageLedger): seq[(UInt256,UInt256)] =
+  ## Dump as slot id-value pair sequence
+  let
+    db = sl.distinctBase.parent
+    save = db.trackNewApi
+  db.trackNewApi = false
+  defer: db.trackNewApi = save
+  let kvt = db.newKvt
+  var kvp: Table[UInt256,UInt256]
+  try:
+    for (slotHash,val) in sl.distinctBase.toMpt.pairs:
+      let rc = kvt.get(slotHashToSlotKey(slotHash).toOpenArray)
+      if rc.isErr:
+        warn "StorageLedger.dump()", slotHash, error=($$rc.error)
+      else:
+        kvp[rlp.decode(rc.value,UInt256)] = rlp.decode(val,UInt256)
+  except CatchableError as e:
+    raiseAssert "Ooops(" & $e.name & "): " & e.msg
+  kvp.keys.toSeq.sorted.mapIt((it,kvp.getOrDefault(it,high UInt256)))
+
+proc toStr*(w: seq[(UInt256,UInt256)]): string =
+  "[" & w.mapIt("(" & it[0].toHex & "," & it[1].toHex & ")").join(", ") & "]"
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Public helpers
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+proc db*(t: SomeLedger): CoreDbRef =
+  t.distinctBase.parent
 
 proc rootHash*(t: SomeLedger): Hash256 =
   t.distinctBase.rootVid().hash().expect "SomeLedger/rootHash()"
@@ -32,6 +66,9 @@ proc rootHash*(t: SomeLedger): Hash256 =
 proc rootVid*(t: SomeLedger): CoreDbVidRef =
   t.distinctBase.rootVid
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Public functions: accounts ledger
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 proc init*(
     T: type AccountLedger;
@@ -60,17 +97,26 @@ proc merge*(al: AccountLedger; eAddr: EthAddress; account: CoreDbAccount) =
 proc delete*(al: AccountLedger, eAddr: EthAddress) =
   al.distinctBase.delete(eAddr).expect "AccountLedger/delete()"
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Public functions: storage ledger
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 proc init*(
     T: type StorageLedger;
     al: AccountLedger;
     account: CoreDbAccount;
-    isPruning = true;
+    isPruning = false;
       ): T =
+  ## Storage trie constructor.
+  ##
+  ## Note that the argument `isPruning` should be left `false` on the legacy
+  ## `CoreDb` backend. Otherwise, pruning might kill some unwanted entries from
+  ## storage tries ending up with an unstable database leading to crashes (see
+  ## https://github.com/status-im/nimbus-eth1/issues/932.)
   al.distinctBase.parent.newMpt(account.storageVid, isPruning).toPhk.T
 
-proc init*(T: type StorageLedger; db: CoreDbRef, isPruning = true): T =
-  db.newMpt(CoreDbVidRef(nil), isPruning).toPhk.T
+#proc init*(T: type StorageLedger; db: CoreDbRef, isPruning = false): T =
+#  db.newMpt(CoreDbVidRef(nil), isPruning).toPhk.T
 
 proc fetch*(sl: StorageLedger, slot: UInt256): Result[Blob,void] =
   sl.distinctBase.fetch(slot.toBytesBE).mapErr proc(ign: CoreDbErrorRef)=discard
@@ -90,4 +136,6 @@ iterator storage*(
   for (key,val) in al.distinctBase.parent.newMpt(account.storageVid).pairs:
     yield (key,val)
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # End
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/nimbus/db/state_db.nim b/nimbus/db/state_db.nim
index c2daca0f0..05f51d589 100644
--- a/nimbus/db/state_db.nim
+++ b/nimbus/db/state_db.nim
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ type
 proc pruneTrie*(db: AccountStateDB): bool =
   db.trie.isPruning
 
-func db*(db: AccountStateDB): CoreDbRef =
+proc db*(db: AccountStateDB): CoreDbRef =
   db.trie.db
 
 proc kvt*(db: AccountStateDB): CoreDbKvtRef =
diff --git a/nimbus/evm/async/operations.nim b/nimbus/evm/async/operations.nim
index beed74c87..773c83bc0 100644
--- a/nimbus/evm/async/operations.nim
+++ b/nimbus/evm/async/operations.nim
@@ -10,18 +10,23 @@ import
 
 
 proc ifNecessaryGetAccount*(vmState: BaseVMState, address: EthAddress): Future[void] {.async.} =
+  if vmState.com.db.localDbOnly: return
   await vmState.asyncFactory.ifNecessaryGetAccount(vmState.com.db, vmState.parent.blockNumber, vmState.parent.stateRoot, address, vmState.stateDB.rawTrie.rootHash)
 
 proc ifNecessaryGetCode*(vmState: BaseVMState, address: EthAddress): Future[void] {.async.} =
+  if vmState.com.db.localDbOnly: return
   await vmState.asyncFactory.ifNecessaryGetCode(vmState.com.db, vmState.parent.blockNumber, vmState.parent.stateRoot, address, vmState.stateDB.rawTrie.rootHash)
 
 proc ifNecessaryGetSlots*(vmState: BaseVMState, address: EthAddress, slots: seq[UInt256]): Future[void] {.async.} =
+  if vmState.com.db.localDbOnly: return
   await vmState.asyncFactory.ifNecessaryGetSlots(vmState.com.db, vmState.parent.blockNumber, vmState.parent.stateRoot, address, slots, vmState.stateDB.rawTrie.rootHash)
 
 proc ifNecessaryGetSlot*(vmState: BaseVMState, address: EthAddress, slot: UInt256): Future[void] {.async.} =
+  if vmState.com.db.localDbOnly: return
   await ifNecessaryGetSlots(vmState, address, @[slot])
 
 proc ifNecessaryGetBlockHeaderByNumber*(vmState: BaseVMState, blockNumber: BlockNumber): Future[void] {.async.} =
+  if vmState.com.db.localDbOnly: return
   await vmState.asyncFactory.ifNecessaryGetBlockHeaderByNumber(vmState.com.db, blockNumber)
 
 #[
@@ -38,9 +43,11 @@ proc fetchAndPopulateNodes*(vmState: BaseVMState, paths: seq[seq[seq[byte]]], no
 # Sometimes it's convenient to be able to do multiple at once.
 
 proc ifNecessaryGetAccounts*(vmState: BaseVMState, addresses: seq[EthAddress]): Future[void] {.async.} =
+  if vmState.com.db.localDbOnly: return
   for address in addresses:
     await ifNecessaryGetAccount(vmState, address)
 
 proc ifNecessaryGetCodeForAccounts*(vmState: BaseVMState, addresses: seq[EthAddress]): Future[void] {.async.} =
+  if vmState.com.db.localDbOnly: return
   for address in addresses:
     await ifNecessaryGetCode(vmState, address)
diff --git a/tests/replay/pp_light.nim b/tests/replay/pp_light.nim
index f12aef03f..8ddf9e5e4 100644
--- a/tests/replay/pp_light.nim
+++ b/tests/replay/pp_light.nim
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 import
   std/[sequtils, strformat, strutils, tables, times],
   eth/common,
+  stew/byteutils,
   ../../nimbus/constants
 
 export
@@ -106,7 +107,7 @@ proc pp*(q: openArray[int]; itemsPerLine: int; lineSep: string): string =
 
 proc pp*(a: MDigest[256]; collapse = true): string =
   if not collapse:
-    a.data.mapIt(it.toHex(2)).join.toLowerAscii
+    a.data.toHex.toLowerAscii
   elif a == ZERO_HASH256:
     "ZERO_HASH256"
   elif a == EMPTY_ROOT_HASH:
@@ -118,7 +119,7 @@ proc pp*(a: MDigest[256]; collapse = true): string =
   elif a == ZERO_HASH256:
     "ZERO_HASH256"
   else:
-    a.data.mapIt(it.toHex(2)).join[56 .. 63].toLowerAscii
+    a.data.toHex.join[56 .. 63].toLowerAscii
 
 proc pp*(a: openArray[MDigest[256]]; collapse = true): string =
   "@[" & a.toSeq.mapIt(it.pp).join(" ") & "]"
@@ -132,7 +133,7 @@ proc pp*(q: openArray[byte]; noHash = false): string =
     for n in 0..31: a[n] = q[n]
     MDigest[256](data: a).pp
   else:
-    q.toSeq.mapIt(it.toHex(2)).join.toLowerAscii.pp(hex = true)
+    q.toHex.toLowerAscii.pp(hex = true)
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Elapsed time pretty printer
diff --git a/tests/test_coredb.nim b/tests/test_coredb.nim
index 6bc6cb70f..f6eb9f2f0 100644
--- a/tests/test_coredb.nim
+++ b/tests/test_coredb.nim
@@ -17,9 +17,10 @@ import
   eth/common,
   results,
   unittest2,
-  ../../nimbus/[db/core_db/persistent, core/chain],
+  ../../nimbus/db/[core_db/persistent, ledger],
+  ../../nimbus/core/chain,
   ./replay/pp,
-  ./test_coredb/[coredb_test_xx, test_legacy]
+  ./test_coredb/[coredb_test_xx, test_chainsync]
 
 const
   baseDir = [".", "..", ".."/"..", $DirSep]
@@ -122,14 +123,14 @@ proc legacyRunner(
   suite "Legacy DB: test Core API interfaces"&
         &", capture={fileInfo}, {sayPersistent}":
 
-    test &"Legaci API, {numBlocksInfo} blocks":
+    test &"Ledger API, {numBlocksInfo} blocks":
       let
         com = openLegacyDB(persistent, dbDir, capture.network)
       defer:
         com.db.finish(flush = true)
         if persistent: dbDir.flushDbDir
 
-      check noisy.testChainSyncLegacyApi(filePath, com, numBlocks)
+      check noisy.testChainSync(filePath, com, numBlocks)
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Main function(s)
@@ -149,8 +150,8 @@ when isMainModule:
   # dumps `bulkTest2`, `bulkTest3`, .. from the `nimbus-eth1-blobs` package.
   # For specs see `tests/test_coredb/bulk_test_xx.nim`.
   var testList = @[bulkTest0] # This test is superseded by `bulkTest1` and `2`
-  # testList = @[failSample0]
-  when true: # and false:
+  testList = @[failSample0]
+  when true and false:
     testList = @[bulkTest2, bulkTest3]
 
   for n,capture in testList:
diff --git a/tests/test_coredb/coredb_test_xx.nim b/tests/test_coredb/coredb_test_xx.nim
index d48b4b136..7566ef5b3 100644
--- a/tests/test_coredb/coredb_test_xx.nim
+++ b/tests/test_coredb/coredb_test_xx.nim
@@ -46,9 +46,9 @@ const
 
   failSample0* = CaptureSpecs(
     name:      "fail-goerli",
-    network:   bulkTest0.network,
-    file:      bulkTest0.file,
-    numBlocks: 18004)
+    network:   bulkTest2.network,
+    file:      bulkTest2.file,
+    numBlocks: 147_621)
 
   failSample1* = CaptureSpecs(
     name:      "fail-main",
diff --git a/tests/test_coredb/test_legacy.nim b/tests/test_coredb/test_chainsync.nim
similarity index 95%
rename from tests/test_coredb/test_legacy.nim
rename to tests/test_coredb/test_chainsync.nim
index 7d1b4d986..b91dcf488 100644
--- a/tests/test_coredb/test_legacy.nim
+++ b/tests/test_coredb/test_chainsync.nim
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ proc setErrorLevel {.used.} =
 # Public test function
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-proc test_chainSyncLegacyApi*(
+proc test_chainSync*(
     noisy: bool;
     filePath: string;
     com: CommonRef;
@@ -88,7 +88,12 @@ proc test_chainSyncLegacyApi*(
       xCheck runPersistBlocks1Rc == ValidationResult.OK
       dotsOrSpace = "   "
 
-    if noisy: setTraceLevel()
+    if noisy:
+      setTraceLevel()
+      com.db.trackLegaApi = true
+      com.db.trackNewApi = true
+      com.db.trackLedgerApi = true
+      com.db.localDbOnly = true
     if lastOneExtra:
       let
         headers0 = headers9[0..0]