diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index a6f7d678d..34b70e134 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -241,7 +241,6 @@ endif
 
 # builds and runs the nimbus test suite
 test: | build deps rocksdb
-	$(ENV_SCRIPT) nim test_rocksdb $(NIM_PARAMS) nimbus.nims
 	$(ENV_SCRIPT) nim test $(NIM_PARAMS) nimbus.nims
 
 test_import: nimbus_execution_client
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo.nim
index 8914e7084..abf3b513d 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo.nim
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # nimbus-eth1
-# Copyright (c) 2023-2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
+# Copyright (c) 2023-2025 Status Research & Development GmbH
 # Licensed under either of
 #  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
 #    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
@@ -19,10 +19,10 @@ export
   aristo_api, aristo_constants
 
 import
-  aristo/aristo_init
+  aristo/aristo_init/memory_only,
+  aristo/aristo_init/init_common
 export
   MemBackendRef,
-  VoidBackendRef,
   finish,
   init
 
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_api.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_api.nim
index 9ca4d4d64..76e6f5909 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_api.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_api.nim
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ import
   results,
   ./aristo_desc/desc_backend,
   ./aristo_init/memory_db,
-  "."/[aristo_delete, aristo_desc, aristo_fetch, aristo_init, aristo_merge,
+  ./aristo_init/memory_only,
+  ./aristo_init/init_common,
+  "."/[aristo_delete, aristo_desc, aristo_fetch, aristo_merge,
        aristo_part, aristo_path, aristo_persist, aristo_profile, aristo_tx_frame]
 
 export
@@ -379,9 +381,6 @@ proc dup(be: BackendRef): BackendRef =
     when AristoPersistentBackendOk:
       return RdbBackendRef(be).dup
 
-  of BackendVoid:
-    discard
-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public API constuctors
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_check.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_check.nim
index 38c8d57fd..7e5a8c7c0 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_check.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_check.nim
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ import
   eth/common/hashes,
   results,
   ./aristo_walk/persistent,
-  "."/[aristo_desc, aristo_get, aristo_init],
+  "."/[aristo_desc, aristo_get, aristo_init/memory_only],
   ./aristo_check/[check_be, check_top, check_twig]
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -71,9 +71,6 @@ proc checkBE*(
     return MemBackendRef.checkBE db
   of BackendRocksDB:
     return RdbBackendRef.checkBE db
-  of BackendVoid:
-    return VoidBackendRef.checkBE db
-
 
 proc check*(
     db: AristoTxRef;                   # Database
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_check/check_be.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_check/check_be.nim
index 3e2e414fc..24568e420 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_check/check_be.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_check/check_be.nim
@@ -17,13 +17,13 @@ import
   stew/interval_set,
   ../../aristo,
   ../aristo_walk/persistent,
-  ".."/[aristo_desc, aristo_get, aristo_layers]
+  ".."/[aristo_desc, aristo_get]
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public functions
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-proc checkBE*[T: RdbBackendRef|MemBackendRef|VoidBackendRef](
+proc checkBE*[T: RdbBackendRef|MemBackendRef](
     _: type T;
     db: AristoDbRef;                   # Database, top layer
       ): Result[void,(VertexID,AristoError)] =
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_check/check_top.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_check/check_top.nim
index 86b4dff0a..c59a5af29 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_check/check_top.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_check/check_top.nim
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ proc checkTopCommon*(
   let
     kMapCount = db.layersWalkKey.toSeq.mapIt(it[1]).filterIt(it.isValid).len
     kMapNilCount = db.layersWalkKey.toSeq.len - kMapCount
-    vTop = db.layer.vTop
+    vTop = db.vTop
   var
     topVid = VertexID(0)
     stoRoots: HashSet[VertexID]
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_debug.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_debug.nim
index c12372579..533098013 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_debug.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_debug.nim
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ import
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 func orDefault(db: AristoTxRef): AristoTxRef =
-  if db.isNil: AristoTxRef(layer: LayerRef()) else: db
+  if db.isNil: AristoTxRef() else: db
 
 # --------------------------
 
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ proc ppXMap*(
 
 
 proc ppBalancer(
-    fl: LayerRef;
+    fl: AristoTxRef;
     db: AristoTxRef;
     indent: int;
       ): string =
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ proc ppBe[T](be: T; db: AristoTxRef; limit: int; indent: int): string =
     result &= "[]"
 
 proc ppLayer(
-    layer: LayerRef;
+    layer: AristoTxRef;
     db: AristoTxRef;
     vTopOk: bool;
     sTabOk: bool;
@@ -663,7 +663,7 @@ func pp*(wp: VidVtxPair; db: AristoTxRef): string =
 
 
 proc pp*(
-    layer: LayerRef;
+    layer: AristoTxRef;
     db: AristoTxRef;
     indent = 4;
     sTabOk = true,
@@ -679,14 +679,12 @@ proc pp*(
   limit = 100;
   indent = 4;
     ): string =
-  result = db.layer.ppBalancer(db, indent+1) & indent.toPfx
+  result = db.ppBalancer(db, indent+1) & indent.toPfx
   case be.kind:
   of BackendMemory:
     result &= be.MemBackendRef.ppBe(db, limit, indent+1)
   of BackendRocksDB:
     result &= be.RdbBackendRef.ppBe(db, limit, indent+1)
-  of BackendVoid:
-    result &= "<NoBackend>"
 
 proc pp*(
     db: AristoTxRef;
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_desc.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_desc.nim
index 599c8308c..a9ece6787 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_desc.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_desc.nim
@@ -41,10 +41,40 @@ export
 type
   AristoTxRef* = ref object
     ## Transaction descriptor
-    db*: AristoDbRef                  ## Database descriptor
-    parent*: AristoTxRef              ## Previous transaction
-    layer*: LayerRef
-    blockNumber*: Opt[uint64] ## Block number set when freezing the frame
+    ##
+    ## Delta layers are stacked implying a tables hierarchy. Table entries on
+    ## a higher level take precedence over lower layer table entries. So an
+    ## existing key-value table entry of a layer on top supersedes same key
+    ## entries on all lower layers. A missing entry on a higher layer indicates
+    ## that the key-value pair might be fond on some lower layer.
+    ##
+    ## A zero value (`nil`, empty hash etc.) is considered am missing key-value
+    ## pair. Tables on the `LayerDelta` may have stray zero key-value pairs for
+    ## missing entries due to repeated transactions while adding and deleting
+    ## entries. There is no need to purge redundant zero entries.
+    ##
+    ## As for `kMap[]` entries, there might be a zero value entriy relating
+    ## (i.e. indexed by the same vertex ID) to an `sMap[]` non-zero value entry
+    ## (of the same layer or a lower layer whatever comes first.) This entry
+    ## is kept as a reminder that the hash value of the `kMap[]` entry needs
+    ## to be re-compiled.
+    ##
+    ## The reasoning behind the above scenario is that every vertex held on the
+    ## `sTab[]` tables must correspond to a hash entry held on the `kMap[]`
+    ## tables. So a corresponding zero value or missing entry produces an
+    ## inconsistent state that must be resolved.
+    db*: AristoDbRef                       ## Database descriptor
+    parent*: AristoTxRef                   ## Previous transaction
+
+    sTab*: Table[RootedVertexID,VertexRef] ## Structural vertex table
+    kMap*: Table[RootedVertexID,HashKey]   ## Merkle hash key mapping
+    vTop*: VertexID                        ## Last used vertex ID
+
+    accLeaves*: Table[Hash32, VertexRef]   ## Account path -> VertexRef
+    stoLeaves*: Table[Hash32, VertexRef]   ## Storage path -> VertexRef
+
+    cTop*: VertexID                        ## Last committed vertex ID
+    blockNumber*: Opt[uint64]              ## Block number set when freezing the frame
 
   AristoDbRef* = ref object
     ## Three tier database object supporting distributed instances.
@@ -120,8 +150,8 @@ func isValid*(nd: NodeRef): bool =
 func isValid*(pid: PathID): bool =
   pid != VOID_PATH_ID
 
-func isValid*(layer: LayerRef): bool =
-  layer != LayerRef(nil)
+func isValid*(tx: AristoTxRef): bool =
+  tx != AristoTxRef(nil)
 
 func isValid*(root: Hash32): bool =
   root != emptyRoot
@@ -163,21 +193,21 @@ iterator stack*(tx: AristoTxRef): AristoTxRef =
   while frames.len > 0:
     yield frames.pop()
 
-iterator rstack*(tx: AristoTxRef): (LayerRef, int) =
+iterator rstack*(tx: AristoTxRef): (AristoTxRef, int) =
   # Stack in reverse order, ie going from tx to base
   var tx = tx
 
   var i = 0
   while tx != nil:
     let level = if tx.parent == nil: -1 else: i
-    yield (tx.layer, level)
+    yield (tx, level)
     tx = tx.parent
 
-proc deltaAtLevel*(db: AristoTxRef, level: int): LayerRef =
+proc deltaAtLevel*(db: AristoTxRef, level: int): AristoTxRef =
   if level == -2:
     nil
   elif level == -1:
-    db.db.txRef.layer
+    db.db.txRef
   else:
     var
       frame = db
@@ -187,7 +217,7 @@ proc deltaAtLevel*(db: AristoTxRef, level: int): LayerRef =
       frame = frame.parent
       level -= 1
 
-    frame.layer
+    frame
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # End
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_desc/desc_error.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_desc/desc_error.nim
index d44402555..48203bc9f 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_desc/desc_error.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_desc/desc_error.nim
@@ -12,17 +12,6 @@ type
   AristoError* = enum
     NothingSerious = 0
 
-    # Miscelaneous/unclassified handy helpers
-    GenericError
-
-
-    # Data record transcoders, `blobify()` from `blobify.nim`
-    BlobifyBranchMissingRefs
-    BlobifyExtMissingRefs
-    BlobifyExtPathOverflow
-    BlobifyLeafPathOverflow
-    BlobifyNilVertex
-
 
     # Cache checker `checkCache()`
     CheckAnyVidDeadStorageRoot
@@ -79,17 +68,6 @@ type
     DelStoRootNotAccepted
     DelVidStaleVtx
 
-    # Functions from `aristo_desc.nim`
-    DescMustBeOnCentre
-    DescNotAllowedOnCentre
-    DescStaleDescriptor
-
-
-    # Functions from  `aristo_delta.nim`
-    FilBackendRoMode
-    FilSiblingsCommitUnfinshed
-
-
     # Fetch functions from `aristo_fetch.nim`
     FetchAccInaccessible
     FetchAccPathWithoutLeaf
@@ -205,7 +183,6 @@ type
     PartVtxSlotWasNotModified
 
     # RocksDB backend
-    RdbBeCantCreateDataDir
     RdbBeCantCreateTmpDir
     RdbBeDriverDelAdmError
     RdbBeDriverDelKeyError
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_desc/desc_structural.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_desc/desc_structural.nim
index 138922e88..8706c04d5 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_desc/desc_structural.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_desc/desc_structural.nim
@@ -94,37 +94,6 @@ type
     key*: Hash32                     ## Some state hash (if any)
     serial*: uint64                  ## Generic identifier from application
 
-  LayerRef* = ref Layer
-  Layer* = object
-    ## Delta layers are stacked implying a tables hierarchy. Table entries on
-    ## a higher level take precedence over lower layer table entries. So an
-    ## existing key-value table entry of a layer on top supersedes same key
-    ## entries on all lower layers. A missing entry on a higher layer indicates
-    ## that the key-value pair might be fond on some lower layer.
-    ##
-    ## A zero value (`nil`, empty hash etc.) is considered am missing key-value
-    ## pair. Tables on the `LayerDelta` may have stray zero key-value pairs for
-    ## missing entries due to repeated transactions while adding and deleting
-    ## entries. There is no need to purge redundant zero entries.
-    ##
-    ## As for `kMap[]` entries, there might be a zero value entriy relating
-    ## (i.e. indexed by the same vertex ID) to an `sMap[]` non-zero value entry
-    ## (of the same layer or a lower layer whatever comes first.) This entry
-    ## is kept as a reminder that the hash value of the `kMap[]` entry needs
-    ## to be re-compiled.
-    ##
-    ## The reasoning behind the above scenario is that every vertex held on the
-    ## `sTab[]` tables must correspond to a hash entry held on the `kMap[]`
-    ## tables. So a corresponding zero value or missing entry produces an
-    ## inconsistent state that must be resolved.
-    ##
-    sTab*: Table[RootedVertexID,VertexRef] ## Structural vertex table
-    kMap*: Table[RootedVertexID,HashKey]   ## Merkle hash key mapping
-    vTop*: VertexID                        ## Last used vertex ID
-
-    accLeaves*: Table[Hash32, VertexRef]   ## Account path -> VertexRef
-    stoLeaves*: Table[Hash32, VertexRef]   ## Storage path -> VertexRef
-
   GetVtxFlag* = enum
     PeekCache
       ## Peek into, but don't update cache - useful on work loads that are
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_init/init_common.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_init/init_common.nim
index be105f2a6..c5455e990 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_init/init_common.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_init/init_common.nim
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ const
 
 type
   BackendType* = enum
-    BackendVoid = 0                  ## For providing backend-less constructor
     BackendMemory
     BackendRocksDB
 
@@ -100,7 +99,7 @@ proc init*(
   let
     vTop = if backend == nil: VertexID(0) else: ?backend.getTuvFn()
     db = AristoDbRef(
-      txRef: AristoTxRef(layer: LayerRef(vTop: vTop)),
+      txRef: AristoTxRef(vTop: vTop),
       backend: backend,
       accLeaves: LruCache[Hash32, VertexRef].init(ACC_LRU_SIZE),
       stoLeaves: LruCache[Hash32, VertexRef].init(ACC_LRU_SIZE),
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_init/memory_db.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_init/memory_db.nim
index e98df893e..6eec3016a 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_init/memory_db.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_init/memory_db.nim
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
 ## backend access
 ## ::
 ##   import
-##     aristo/aristo_init,
 ##     aristo/aristo_init/aristo_memory
 ##
 ##   let rc = newAristoDbRef(BackendMemory)
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_init/memory_only.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_init/memory_only.nim
index a234fa4a5..5418b1d8a 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_init/memory_only.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_init/memory_only.nim
@@ -18,12 +18,6 @@ import
   ../aristo_desc/desc_backend,
   "."/[init_common, memory_db]
 
-type
-  VoidBackendRef* = ref object of TypedBackendRef
-    ## Dummy descriptor type, used as `nil` reference
-
-  MemOnlyBackend* = VoidBackendRef|MemBackendRef
-
 export
   BackendType,
   GuestDbRef,
@@ -37,36 +31,23 @@ proc kind*(
     be: BackendRef;
       ): BackendType =
   ## Retrieves the backend type symbol for a `be` backend database argument
-  ## where `BackendVoid` is returned for the`nil` backend.
-  if be.isNil:
-    BackendVoid
-  else:
-    be.TypedBackendRef.beKind
+  doAssert(not be.isNil)
+  be.TypedBackendRef.beKind
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public database constuctors, destructor
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 proc init*(
-    T: type AristoDbRef;                      # Target type
-    B: type MemOnlyBackend;                   # Backend type
+    T: type AristoDbRef;                     # Target type
+    B: type MemBackendRef;                   # Backend type
       ): T =
   ## Memory backend constructor.
   ##
+  AristoDbRef.init(memoryBackend())[]
 
-  when B is VoidBackendRef:
-    AristoDbRef.init(nil)[]
-
-  elif B is MemBackendRef:
-    AristoDbRef.init(memoryBackend())[]
-  else:
-    raiseAssert "Unknown backend"
-
-proc init*(
-    T: type AristoDbRef;                      # Target type
-      ): T =
-  ## Shortcut for `AristoDbRef.init(VoidBackendRef)`
-  AristoDbRef.init VoidBackendRef
+proc init*(T: type AristoDbRef): T =
+  AristoDbRef.init(MemBackendRef)
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # End
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_layers.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_layers.nim
index 8ac2a9896..675f0b22a 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_layers.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_layers.nim
@@ -72,8 +72,8 @@ func layersPutVtx*(
     vtx: VertexRef;
       ) =
   ## Store a (potentally empty) vertex on the top layer
-  db.layer.sTab[rvid] = vtx
-  db.layer.kMap.del(rvid)
+  db.sTab[rvid] = vtx
+  db.kMap.del(rvid)
 
 func layersResVtx*(
     db: AristoTxRef;
@@ -90,8 +90,8 @@ func layersPutKey*(
     key: HashKey;
       ) =
   ## Store a (potentally void) hash key on the top layer
-  db.layer.sTab[rvid] = vtx
-  db.layer.kMap[rvid] = key
+  db.sTab[rvid] = vtx
+  db.kMap[rvid] = key
 
 func layersResKey*(db: AristoTxRef; rvid: RootedVertexID, vtx: VertexRef) =
   ## Shortcut for `db.layersPutKey(vid, VOID_HASH_KEY)`. It is sort of the
@@ -104,16 +104,16 @@ func layersResKeys*(db: AristoTxRef; hike: Hike) =
     db.layersResKey((hike.root, hike.legs[^i].wp.vid), hike.legs[^i].wp.vtx)
 
 func layersPutAccLeaf*(db: AristoTxRef; accPath: Hash32; leafVtx: VertexRef) =
-  db.layer.accLeaves[accPath] = leafVtx
+  db.accLeaves[accPath] = leafVtx
 
 func layersPutStoLeaf*(db: AristoTxRef; mixPath: Hash32; leafVtx: VertexRef) =
-  db.layer.stoLeaves[mixPath] = leafVtx
+  db.stoLeaves[mixPath] = leafVtx
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public functions
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-func isEmpty*(ly: LayerRef): bool =
+func isEmpty*(ly: AristoTxRef): bool =
   ## Returns `true` if the layer does not contain any changes, i.e. all the
   ## tables are empty.
   ly.sTab.len == 0 and
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ func isEmpty*(ly: LayerRef): bool =
   ly.accLeaves.len == 0 and
   ly.stoLeaves.len == 0
 
-proc mergeAndReset*(trg, src: var Layer) =
+proc mergeAndReset*(trg, src: AristoTxRef) =
   ## Merges the argument `src` into the argument `trg` and clears `src`.
   trg.vTop = src.vTop
 
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_profile.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_profile.nim
index 76bae0521..aa0609d8f 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_profile.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_profile.nim
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Nimbus
-# Copyright (c) 2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
+# Copyright (c) 2024-2025 Status Research & Development GmbH
 # Licensed under either of
 #  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
 #    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 {.push raises: [].}
 
 import
-  std/[algorithm, math, sequtils, strformat, strutils, tables, times],
+  std/[algorithm, math, sequtils, strformat, tables, times],
   eth/common
 
 type
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_tx_frame.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_tx_frame.nim
index b1d51c82c..4b67f7d1c 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_tx_frame.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_tx_frame.nim
@@ -27,14 +27,10 @@ proc txFrameBegin*(db: AristoDbRef, parent: AristoTxRef): AristoTxRef =
   else:
     parent
 
-  let
-    vTop = parent.layer.vTop
-    layer = LayerRef(vTop: vTop)
-
   AristoTxRef(
     db:     db,
     parent: parent,
-    layer: layer)
+    vTop:   parent.vTop)
 
 proc baseTxFrame*(db: AristoDbRef): AristoTxRef=
   db.txRef
@@ -56,7 +52,7 @@ proc txFramePersist*(
     txFrame: AristoTxRef;
       ) =
 
-  if txFrame == db.txRef and txFrame.layer.sTab.len == 0:
+  if txFrame == db.txRef and txFrame.sTab.len == 0:
     # No changes in frame - no `checkpoint` requirement - nothing to do here
     return
 
@@ -76,7 +72,7 @@ proc txFramePersist*(
     for frame in txFrame.stack():
       if frame == db.txRef:
         continue
-      mergeAndReset(db.txRef.layer[], frame.layer[])
+      mergeAndReset(db.txRef, frame)
       db.txRef.blockNumber = frame.blockNumber
 
       frame.dispose() # This will also dispose `txFrame` itself!
@@ -86,13 +82,13 @@ proc txFramePersist*(
     db.txRef = txFrame
 
   # Store structural single trie entries
-  for rvid, vtx in txFrame.layer.sTab:
-    txFrame.layer.kMap.withValue(rvid, key) do:
+  for rvid, vtx in db.txRef.sTab:
+    txFrame.kMap.withValue(rvid, key) do:
       be.putVtxFn(batch, rvid, vtx, key[])
     do:
       be.putVtxFn(batch, rvid, vtx, default(HashKey))
 
-  be.putTuvFn(batch, txFrame.layer.vTop)
+  be.putTuvFn(batch, txFrame.vTop)
   be.putLstFn(batch, lSst)
 
   # TODO above, we only prepare the changes to the database but don't actually
@@ -101,16 +97,16 @@ proc txFramePersist*(
   #      in-memory and on-disk state)
 
   # Copy back updated payloads
-  for accPath, vtx in txFrame.layer.accLeaves:
+  for accPath, vtx in txFrame.accLeaves:
     db.accLeaves.put(accPath, vtx)
 
-  for mixPath, vtx in txFrame.layer.stoLeaves:
+  for mixPath, vtx in txFrame.stoLeaves:
     db.stoLeaves.put(mixPath, vtx)
 
-  txFrame.layer.sTab.clear()
-  txFrame.layer.kMap.clear()
-  txFrame.layer.accLeaves.clear()
-  txFrame.layer.stoLeaves.clear()
+  txFrame.sTab.clear()
+  txFrame.kMap.clear()
+  txFrame.accLeaves.clear()
+  txFrame.stoLeaves.clear()
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # End
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_vid.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_vid.nim
index 9cf92de90..a5b4d69bf 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_vid.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_vid.nim
@@ -23,11 +23,11 @@ import
 proc vidFetch*(db: AristoTxRef, n = 1): VertexID =
   ## Fetch next vertex ID.
   ##
-  if db.layer.vTop  == 0:
-    db.layer.vTop = VertexID(LEAST_FREE_VID)
-  var ret = db.layer.vTop
+  if db.vTop  == 0:
+    db.vTop = VertexID(LEAST_FREE_VID)
+  var ret = db.vTop
   ret.inc
-  db.layer.vTop.inc(n)
+  db.vTop.inc(n)
   ret
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_walk/memory_only.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_walk/memory_only.nim
index 62918cea8..5bde5f3a2 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_walk/memory_only.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_walk/memory_only.nim
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Nimbus - Types, data structures and shared utilities used in network sync
 #
-# Copyright (c) 2023-2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
+# Copyright (c) 2023-2025 Status Research & Development GmbH
 # Licensed under either of
 #  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
 #    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 ##
 import
   ../aristo_init/[memory_db, memory_only],
-  ".."/[aristo_desc, aristo_init],
+  ".."/[aristo_desc],
   ./walk_private
 
 export
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ export
 # Public iterators (all in one)
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-iterator walkVtxBe*[T: MemBackendRef|VoidBackendRef](
+iterator walkVtxBe*[T: MemBackendRef](
    _: type T;
    db: AristoDbRef;
    kinds = {Branch, Leaf};
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ iterator walkVtxBe*[T: MemBackendRef|VoidBackendRef](
   for (rvid,vtx) in walkVtxBeImpl[T](db, kinds):
     yield (rvid,vtx)
 
-iterator walkKeyBe*[T: MemBackendRef|VoidBackendRef](
+iterator walkKeyBe*[T: MemBackendRef](
    _: type T;
    db: AristoDbRef;
      ): tuple[rvid: RootedVertexID, key: HashKey] =
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ iterator walkKeyBe*[T: MemBackendRef|VoidBackendRef](
 
 # -----------
 
-iterator walkPairs*[T: MemBackendRef|VoidBackendRef](
+iterator walkPairs*[T: MemBackendRef](
    _: type T;
    db: AristoDbRef;
      ): tuple[rvid: RootedVertexID, vtx: VertexRef] =
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_walk/walk_private.nim b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_walk/walk_private.nim
index 68b630401..7ea6dc463 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_walk/walk_private.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/aristo/aristo_walk/walk_private.nim
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 import
   std/[algorithm, sequtils, sets, tables],
   results,
-  ".."/[aristo_desc, aristo_init, aristo_layers]
+  ".."/[aristo_desc, aristo_layers]
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public generic iterators
@@ -23,24 +23,20 @@ iterator walkVtxBeImpl*[T](
     kinds: set[VertexType];
       ): tuple[rvid: RootedVertexID, vtx: VertexRef] =
   ## Generic iterator
-  when T is VoidBackendRef:
-    let filter = if db.txRef.isNil: LayerRef() else: db.txRef.layer
+  mixin walkVtx
 
-  else:
-    mixin walkVtx
+  let filter = AristoTxRef()
+  if not db.txRef.isNil:
+    filter.sTab = db.txRef.sTab # copy table
 
-    let filter = LayerRef()
-    if not db.txRef.isNil:
-      filter.sTab = db.txRef.layer.sTab # copy table
-
-    for (rvid,vtx) in db.backend.T.walkVtx(kinds):
-      if filter.sTab.hasKey rvid:
-        let fVtx = filter.sTab.getOrVoid rvid
-        if fVtx.isValid:
-          yield (rvid,fVtx)
-        filter.sTab.del rvid
-      else:
-        yield (rvid,vtx)
+  for (rvid,vtx) in db.backend.T.walkVtx(kinds):
+    if filter.sTab.hasKey rvid:
+      let fVtx = filter.sTab.getOrVoid rvid
+      if fVtx.isValid:
+        yield (rvid,fVtx)
+      filter.sTab.del rvid
+    else:
+      yield (rvid,vtx)
 
   for rvid in filter.sTab.keys:
     let vtx = filter.sTab.getOrVoid rvid
@@ -54,24 +50,20 @@ iterator walkKeyBeImpl*[T](
     db: AristoDbRef;                   # Database with optional backend filter
       ): tuple[rvid: RootedVertexID, key: HashKey] =
   ## Generic iterator
-  when T is VoidBackendRef:
-    let filter = if db.txRef.isNil: LayerRef() else: db.txRef.layer
+  mixin walkKey
 
-  else:
-    mixin walkKey
+  let filter = AristoTxRef()
+  if not db.txRef.isNil:
+    filter.kMap = db.txRef.kMap # copy table
 
-    let filter = LayerRef()
-    if not db.txRef.isNil:
-      filter.kMap = db.txRef.layer.kMap # copy table
-
-    for (rvid,key) in db.backend.T.walkKey:
-      if filter.kMap.hasKey rvid:
-        let fKey = filter.kMap.getOrVoid rvid
-        if fKey.isValid:
-          yield (rvid,fKey)
-        filter.kMap.del rvid
-      else:
-        yield (rvid,key)
+  for (rvid,key) in db.backend.T.walkKey:
+    if filter.kMap.hasKey rvid:
+      let fKey = filter.kMap.getOrVoid rvid
+      if fKey.isValid:
+        yield (rvid,fKey)
+      filter.kMap.del rvid
+    else:
+      yield (rvid,key)
 
   for rvid in filter.kMap.keys.toSeq.sorted:
     let key = filter.kMap.getOrVoid rvid
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db.nim b/execution_chain/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db.nim
index 2fd641a25..41b33c07b 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/core_db/backend/aristo_db.nim
@@ -48,11 +48,6 @@ proc newMemoryCoreDbRef*(): CoreDbRef =
     KvtDbRef.init(use_kvt.MemBackendRef),
     AristoDbRef.init(use_ari.MemBackendRef))
 
-proc newVoidCoreDbRef*(): CoreDbRef =
-  AristoDbVoid.create(
-    KvtDbRef.init(use_kvt.VoidBackendRef),
-    AristoDbRef.init(use_ari.VoidBackendRef))
-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # End
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim b/execution_chain/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim
index f730dc3e1..9fb45cb26 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/core_db/base/base_desc.nim
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Nimbus
-# Copyright (c) 2023-2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
+# Copyright (c) 2023-2025 Status Research & Development GmbH
 # Licensed under either of
 #  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
 #    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ type
     Ooops
     AristoDbMemory            ## Memory backend emulator
     AristoDbRocks             ## RocksDB backend
-    AristoDbVoid              ## No backend
 
 const
   CoreDbPersistentTypes* = {AristoDbRocks}
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/core_db/memory_only.nim b/execution_chain/db/core_db/memory_only.nim
index 69ea67cbf..cd43e1895 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/core_db/memory_only.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/core_db/memory_only.nim
@@ -41,9 +41,6 @@ proc newCoreDbRef*(
   when dbType == AristoDbMemory:
     newMemoryCoreDbRef()
 
-  elif dbType == AristoDbVoid:
-    newVoidCoreDbRef()
-
   else:
     {.error: "Unsupported constructor " & $dbType & ".newCoreDbRef()".}
 
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvstore_rocksdb.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvstore_rocksdb.nim
deleted file mode 100644
index 571f47d26..000000000
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvstore_rocksdb.nim
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,138 +0,0 @@
-# Nimbus
-# Copyright (c) 2023-2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
-# Licensed under either of
-#  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
-#    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
-#  * MIT license ([LICENSE-MIT](LICENSE-MIT) or
-#    http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
-# at your option. This file may not be copied, modified, or distributed except
-# according to those terms.
-
-{.push raises: [].}
-
-import
-  std/[os, sequtils],
-  results,
-  rocksdb,
-  eth/db/kvstore
-
-export kvstore
-
-type
-  RocksStoreRef* = ref object of RootObj
-    db: RocksDbReadWriteRef
-
-  RocksNamespaceRef* = ref object of RootObj
-    colFamily: ColFamilyReadWrite
-
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# RocksStoreRef procs
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-proc rocksDb*(store: RocksStoreRef): RocksDbReadWriteRef =
-  store.db
-
-proc get*(
-    store: RocksStoreRef,
-    key: openArray[byte],
-    onData: kvstore.DataProc): KvResult[bool] =
-  store.db.get(key, onData)
-
-proc find*(
-    store: RocksStoreRef,
-    prefix: openArray[byte],
-    onFind: kvstore.KeyValueProc): KvResult[int] =
-  raiseAssert "Unimplemented"
-
-proc put*(store: RocksStoreRef, key, value: openArray[byte]): KvResult[void] =
-  store.db.put(key, value)
-
-proc contains*(store: RocksStoreRef, key: openArray[byte]): KvResult[bool] =
-  store.db.keyExists(key)
-
-proc del*(store: RocksStoreRef, key: openArray[byte]): KvResult[bool] =
-
-  let rc = store.db.keyExists(key)
-  if rc.isErr:
-    return rc
-  if not rc.value:
-    return ok(false)
-
-  let res = store.db.delete(key)
-  if res.isErr():
-    return err(res.error())
-
-  ok(true)
-
-proc clear*(store: RocksStoreRef): KvResult[bool] =
-  raiseAssert "Unimplemented"
-
-proc close*(store: RocksStoreRef) =
-  store.db.close()
-
-proc init*(
-    T: type RocksStoreRef,
-    basePath: string,
-    name: string,
-    namespaces = @["default"]): KvResult[T] =
-
-  let dataDir = basePath / name / "data"
-
-  try:
-    createDir(dataDir)
-  except OSError, IOError:
-    return err("RocksStoreRef: cannot create database directory")
-
-  let db = ? openRocksDb(dataDir, columnFamilies = namespaces.mapIt(
-      initColFamilyDescriptor(it, defaultColFamilyOptions(autoClose = true))))
-  ok(T(db: db))
-
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# RocksNamespaceRef procs
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-proc name*(store: RocksNamespaceRef): string =
-  store.colFamily.name
-
-proc get*(
-    ns: RocksNamespaceRef,
-    key: openArray[byte],
-    onData: kvstore.DataProc): KvResult[bool] =
-  ns.colFamily.get(key, onData)
-
-proc find*(
-    ns: RocksNamespaceRef,
-    prefix: openArray[byte],
-    onFind: kvstore.KeyValueProc): KvResult[int] =
-  raiseAssert "Unimplemented"
-
-proc put*(ns: RocksNamespaceRef, key, value: openArray[byte]): KvResult[void] =
-  ns.colFamily.put(key, value)
-
-proc contains*(ns: RocksNamespaceRef, key: openArray[byte]): KvResult[bool] =
-  ns.colFamily.keyExists(key)
-
-proc del*(ns: RocksNamespaceRef, key: openArray[byte]): KvResult[bool] =
-  let exists = ? ns.colFamily.keyExists(key)
-  if not exists:
-    return ok(false)
-
-  let res = ns.colFamily.delete(key)
-  if res.isErr():
-    return err(res.error())
-
-  ok(true)
-
-proc clear*(ns: RocksNamespaceRef): KvResult[bool] =
-  raiseAssert "Unimplemented"
-
-proc close*(ns: RocksNamespaceRef) =
-  # To close the database, call close on RocksStoreRef.
-  raiseAssert "Unimplemented"
-
-proc openNamespace*(
-    store: RocksStoreRef,
-    name: string): KvResult[RocksNamespaceRef] =
-  doAssert not store.db.isClosed()
-
-  ok(RocksNamespaceRef(colFamily: ?store.db.getColFamily(name)))
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt.nim
index a4af8dfb8..10ab957eb 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt.nim
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # nimbus-eth1
-# Copyright (c) 2023-2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
+# Copyright (c) 2023-2025 Status Research & Development GmbH
 # Licensed under either of
 #  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
 #    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
@@ -19,10 +19,9 @@ export
   kvt_api, kvt_constants
 
 import
-  kvt/kvt_init
+  kvt/kvt_init/memory_only
 export
   MemBackendRef,
-  VoidBackendRef,
   finish,
   init
 
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_api.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_api.nim
index d7b94f7a8..ecf6f5523 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_api.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_api.nim
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ import
   ../aristo/aristo_profile,
   ./kvt_desc/desc_backend,
   ./kvt_init/memory_db,
-  "."/[kvt_desc, kvt_init, kvt_persist, kvt_tx_frame, kvt_utils]
+  ./kvt_init/memory_only,
+  "."/[kvt_desc, kvt_persist, kvt_tx_frame, kvt_utils]
 
 const
   AutoValidateApiHooks = defined(release).not
@@ -117,13 +118,10 @@ proc dup(be: BackendRef): BackendRef =
   of BackendMemory:
     return MemBackendRef(be).dup
 
-  of BackendRocksDB, BackendRdbTriggered:
+  of BackendRocksDB:
     when KvtPersistentBackendOk:
       return RdbBackendRef(be).dup
 
-  of BackendVoid:
-    discard
-
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public API constuctors
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_debug.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_debug.nim
index eed176621..61df553b9 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_debug.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_debug.nim
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # nimbus-eth1
-# Copyright (c) 2023-2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
+# Copyright (c) 2023-2025 Status Research & Development GmbH
 # Licensed under either of
 #  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
 #    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ proc ppBe[T](be: T; db: KvtDbRef; indent: int): string =
     spc = if 0 < n: pfx2 else: " "
   "<" & $be.kind & ">" & pfx1 & "tab" & spc & "{" & data & "}"
 
-proc ppLayer(layer: LayerRef; db: KvtDbRef; indent = 4): string =
+proc ppLayer(layer: AristoTxRef; db: KvtDbRef; indent = 4): string =
   let
     tLen = layer.sTab.len
     info = "tab(" & $tLen & ")"
@@ -151,10 +151,8 @@ proc pp*(
   case be.kind:
   of BackendMemory:
     result &= be.MemBackendRef.ppBe(db, indent)
-  of BackendRocksDB,BackendRdbTriggered:
+  of BackendRocksDB:
     result &= be.RdbBackendRef.ppBe(db, indent)
-  of BackendVoid:
-    result &= "<NoBackend>"
 
 proc pp*(
     db: KvtDbRef;
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_desc.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_desc.nim
index edfd87718..34bca6447 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_desc.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_desc.nim
@@ -16,21 +16,21 @@
 import
   std/[hashes, tables],
   ./kvt_constants,
-  ./kvt_desc/[desc_error, desc_structural]
+  ./kvt_desc/[desc_error]
 
 from ./kvt_desc/desc_backend
   import BackendRef, PutHdlRef
 
 # Not auto-exporting backend
 export
-  hashes, tables, kvt_constants, desc_error, desc_structural, PutHdlRef
+  hashes, tables, kvt_constants, desc_error, PutHdlRef
 
 type
   KvtTxRef* = ref object
     ## Transaction descriptor
     db*: KvtDbRef                     ## Database descriptor
     parent*: KvtTxRef                 ## Previous transaction
-    layer*: LayerRef
+    sTab*: Table[seq[byte],seq[byte]] ## Structural data table
 
   KvtDbRef* = ref object of RootRef
     ## Three tier database object supporting distributed instances.
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ func getOrVoid*(tab: Table[seq[byte],seq[byte]]; w: seq[byte]): seq[byte] =
 func isValid*(key: seq[byte]): bool =
   key != EmptyBlob
 
-func isValid*(layer: LayerRef): bool =
-  layer != LayerRef(nil)
+func isValid*(tx: KvtTxRef): bool =
+  tx != KvtTxRef(nil)
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public functions, miscellaneous
@@ -79,11 +79,11 @@ iterator stack*(tx: KvtTxRef): KvtTxRef =
   while frames.len > 0:
     yield frames.pop()
 
-iterator rstack*(tx: KvtTxRef): LayerRef =
+iterator rstack*(tx: KvtTxRef): KvtTxRef =
   var tx = tx
   # Stack in reverse order
   while tx != nil:
-    yield tx.layer
+    yield tx
     tx = tx.parent
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_desc/desc_error.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_desc/desc_error.nim
index 8699869fb..ee74c80e7 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_desc/desc_error.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_desc/desc_error.nim
@@ -11,32 +11,15 @@
 type
   KvtError* = enum
     NothingSerious = 0
-    GenericError
 
     GetNotFound
     KeyInvalid
     DataInvalid
 
     # RocksDB backend
-    RdbBeCantCreateDataDir
-    RdbBeDelayedAlreadyRegistered
-    RdbBeDelayedLocked
-    RdbBeDelayedNotReady
     RdbBeDriverDelError
     RdbBeDriverGetError
-    RdbBeDriverInitError
     RdbBeDriverPutError
     RdbBeDriverWriteError
-    RdbBeHostError
-    RdbBeHostNotApplicable
-
-    # Filter management
-    FilBackendRoMode
-    FilSiblingsCommitUnfinshed
-
-    # Functions from `kvt_desc`
-    MustBeOnCentre
-    NotAllowedOnCentre
-    StaleDescriptor
 
 # End
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_desc/desc_structural.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_desc/desc_structural.nim
deleted file mode 100644
index e2027404f..000000000
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_desc/desc_structural.nim
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,42 +0,0 @@
-# nimbus-eth1
-# Copyright (c) 2023-2025 Status Research & Development GmbH
-# Licensed under either of
-#  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
-#    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
-#  * MIT license ([LICENSE-MIT](LICENSE-MIT) or
-#    http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
-# at your option. This file may not be copied, modified, or distributed
-# except according to those terms.
-
-## Kvt DB -- structural data types
-## ===============================
-##
-{.push raises: [].}
-
-import
-  std/tables
-
-export tables
-
-type
-  LayerRef* = ref Layer
-  Layer* = object
-    ## Kvt database layer structures. Any layer holds the full
-    ## change relative to the backend.
-    sTab*: Table[seq[byte],seq[byte]] ## Structural data table
-
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Public helpers (misc)
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-func init*(T: type LayerRef): T =
-  ## Constructor, returns empty layer
-  T()
-
-func dup*(ly: LayerRef): LayerRef =
-  ## Duplicate/copy
-  LayerRef(sTab: ly.sTab)
-
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# End
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init.nim
deleted file mode 100644
index 892a1c243..000000000
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init.nim
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-# nimbus-eth1
-# Copyright (c) 2023 Status Research & Development GmbH
-# Licensed under either of
-#  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
-#    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
-#  * MIT license ([LICENSE-MIT](LICENSE-MIT) or
-#    http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
-# at your option. This file may not be copied, modified, or distributed
-# except according to those terms.
-
-## Constructors for Key-Value Table DB
-## ====================================
-##
-{.push raises: [].}
-
-import
-  ./kvt_init/memory_only
-export
-  memory_only
-
-# End
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/init_common.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/init_common.nim
index 7a6ecaf75..d9e7fb455 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/init_common.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/init_common.nim
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # nimbus-eth1
-# Copyright (c) 2023-2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
+# Copyright (c) 2023-2025 Status Research & Development GmbH
 # Licensed under either of
 #  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
 #    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
@@ -20,10 +20,8 @@ const
 
 type
   BackendType* = enum
-    BackendVoid = 0                  ## For providing backend-less constructor
     BackendMemory                    ## Same as Aristo
     BackendRocksDB                   ## Same as Aristo
-    BackendRdbTriggered              ## Piggybacked on remote write session
 
   TypedBackendRef* = ref TypedBackendObj
   TypedBackendObj* = object of BackendObj
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/memory_db.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/memory_db.nim
index 595bc5e65..75dfbf371 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/memory_db.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/memory_db.nim
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
 ## backend access
 ## ::
 ##   import
-##     kvt/kvt_init,
 ##     kvt/kvt_init/kvt_memory
 ##
 ##   let rc = newKvtDbRef(BackendMemory)
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/memory_only.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/memory_only.nim
index 4f79e5769..62f99c6e5 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/memory_only.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/memory_only.nim
@@ -18,12 +18,6 @@ import
   ../kvt_desc/desc_backend,
   "."/[init_common, memory_db]
 
-type
-  VoidBackendRef* = ref object of TypedBackendRef
-    ## Dummy descriptor type, used as `nil` reference
-
-  MemOnlyBackend* = VoidBackendRef|MemBackendRef
-
 export
   BackendType,
   MemBackendRef
@@ -37,10 +31,8 @@ func kind*(
       ): BackendType =
   ## Retrieves the backend type symbol for a `be` backend database argument
   ## where `BackendVoid` is returned for the`nil` backend.
-  if be.isNil:
-    BackendVoid
-  else:
-    be.TypedBackendRef.beKind
+  doAssert(not be.isNil)
+  be.TypedBackendRef.beKind
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public database constuctors, destructor
@@ -48,25 +40,14 @@ func kind*(
 
 proc init*(
     T: type KvtDbRef;                         # Target type
-    B: type MemOnlyBackend;                   # Backend type
+    B: type MemBackendRef;                   # Backend type
       ): T =
   ## Memory backend constructor.
   ##
-  let db = when B is VoidBackendRef:
-    KvtDbRef(txRef: KvtTxRef(layer: LayerRef.init()))
-
-  elif B is MemBackendRef:
-    KvtDbRef(txRef: KvtTxRef(layer: LayerRef.init()), backend: memoryBackend())
+  let db = KvtDbRef(txRef: KvtTxRef(), backend: memoryBackend())
   db.txRef.db = db
   db
 
-proc init*(
-    T: type KvtDbRef;                         # Target type
-      ): T =
-  ## Shortcut for `KvtDbRef.init(VoidBackendRef)`
-  KvtDbRef.init VoidBackendRef
-
-
 proc finish*(db: KvtDbRef; eradicate = false) =
   ## Backend destructor. The argument `eradicate` indicates that a full
   ## database deletion is requested. If set `false` the outcome might differ
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/persistent.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/persistent.nim
index dc99e4669..329b20b3a 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/persistent.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/persistent.nim
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ proc init*(
   ## Generic constructor for `RocksDb` backend
   ##
   let db = KvtDbRef(
-    txRef: KvtTxRef(layer: LayerRef.init()),
+    txRef: KvtTxRef(),
     backend: rocksDbKvtBackend(baseDb))
   db.txRef.db = db
   ok db
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/rocks_db.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/rocks_db.nim
index e02e89666..74f6320cd 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/rocks_db.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_init/rocks_db.nim
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
 ## backend access
 ## ::
 ##   import
-##     kvt/kvt_init,
 ##     kvt/kvt_init/kvt_rocksdb
 ##
 ##   let rc = KvtDb.init(BackendRocksDB, "/var/tmp")
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_layers.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_layers.nim
index bdf522dfb..6b7dff461 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_layers.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_layers.nim
@@ -56,20 +56,20 @@ func layersGet*(db: KvtTxRef; key: openArray[byte]|seq[byte]): Opt[seq[byte]] =
 
 func layersPut*(db: KvtTxRef; key: openArray[byte]; data: openArray[byte]) =
   ## Store a (potentally empty) value on the top layer
-  db.layer.sTab[@key] = @data
+  db.sTab[@key] = @data
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public functions
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-proc mergeAndReset*(trg, src: var Layer) =
+proc mergeAndReset*(trg, src: KvtTxRef) =
   mergeAndReset(trg.sTab, src.sTab)
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public functions
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-func layersCc*(db: KvtDbRef; level = high(int)): LayerRef =
+func layersCc*(db: KvtDbRef; level = high(int)): KvtTxRef =
   ## Provide a collapsed copy of layers up to a particular transaction level.
   ## If the `level` argument is too large, the maximum transaction level is
   ## returned. For the result layer, the `txUid` value set to `0`.
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_persistent.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_persistent.nim
deleted file mode 100644
index e526ccd03..000000000
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_persistent.nim
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,18 +0,0 @@
-# nimbus-eth1
-# Copyright (c) 2023-2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
-# Licensed under either of
-#  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
-#    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
-#  * MIT license ([LICENSE-MIT](LICENSE-MIT) or
-#    http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
-# at your option. This file may not be copied, modified, or distributed
-# except according to those terms.
-
-import
-  kvt_init/persistent as init_persistent,
-  kvt_walk/persistent as walk_persistent
-export
-  init_persistent,
-  walk_persistent
-
-# End
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_tx_frame.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_tx_frame.nim
index 5cce0e73e..606b7eeb3 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_tx_frame.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_tx_frame.nim
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@ proc txFrameBegin*(db: KvtDbRef, parent: KvtTxRef): KvtTxRef =
   let parent = if parent == nil: db.txRef else: parent
   KvtTxRef(
     db:     db,
-    layer: LayerRef(),
     parent: parent,
   )
 
@@ -46,7 +45,6 @@ proc baseTxFrame*(db: KvtDbRef): KvtTxRef =
 proc dispose*(
     tx: KvtTxRef;
       ) =
-
   tx[].reset()
 
 proc txFramePersist*(
@@ -65,7 +63,7 @@ proc txFramePersist*(
     for frame in txFrame.stack():
       if frame == db.txRef:
         continue
-      mergeAndReset(db.txRef.layer[], frame.layer[])
+      mergeAndReset(db.txRef, frame)
       frame.dispose()
 
     # Put the now-merged contents in txFrame and make it the new base
@@ -73,14 +71,15 @@ proc txFramePersist*(
     db.txRef = txFrame
 
   # Store structural single trie entries
-  for k,v in txFrame.layer.sTab:
+  for k,v in txFrame.sTab:
     be.putKvpFn(batch, k, v)
   # TODO above, we only prepare the changes to the database but don't actually
   #      write them to disk - the code below that updates the frame should
   #      really run after things have been written (to maintain sync betweeen
   #      in-memory and on-disk state)
 
-  txFrame.layer.sTab.clear()
+  # Done with txRef, all saved to backend
+  txFrame.sTab.clear()
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # End
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_walk/memory_only.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_walk/memory_only.nim
index 17b4bd16c..a56890c5b 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_walk/memory_only.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_walk/memory_only.nim
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Nimbus-eth1
-# Copyright (c) 2023-2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
+# Copyright (c) 2023-2025 Status Research & Development GmbH
 # Licensed under either of
 #  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
 #    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 ##
 import
   ../kvt_init/[memory_db, memory_only],
-  ".."/[kvt_desc, kvt_init],
+  ".."/kvt_desc,
   ./walk_private
 
 export
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export
 # Public iterators (all in one)
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-iterator walkPairs*[T: MemBackendRef|VoidBackendRef](
+iterator walkPairs*[T: MemBackendRef](
    _: type T;
    db: KvtDbRef;
      ): tuple[key: seq[byte], data: seq[byte]] =
diff --git a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_walk/walk_private.nim b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_walk/walk_private.nim
index 0f4429a75..841ef0ae5 100644
--- a/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_walk/walk_private.nim
+++ b/execution_chain/db/kvt/kvt_walk/walk_private.nim
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Nimbus-eth1
-# Copyright (c) 2023-2024 Status Research & Development GmbH
+# Copyright (c) 2023-2025 Status Research & Development GmbH
 # Licensed under either of
 #  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
 #    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 
 import
   std/sets,
-  ".."/[kvt_desc, kvt_init, kvt_layers]
+  ".."/[kvt_desc, kvt_layers]
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Public generic iterators
@@ -26,12 +26,11 @@ iterator walkPairsImpl*[T](
     if data.isValid:
       yield (key,data)
 
-  when T isnot VoidBackendRef:
-    mixin walk
+  mixin walk
 
-    for (key,data) in db.backend.T.walk:
-      if key notin seen and data.isValid:
-        yield (key,data)
+  for (key,data) in db.backend.T.walk:
+    if key notin seen and data.isValid:
+      yield (key,data)
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # End
diff --git a/nimbus.nimble b/nimbus.nimble
index 76d6dafc9..a63c83ace 100644
--- a/nimbus.nimble
+++ b/nimbus.nimble
@@ -72,9 +72,6 @@ proc test(path: string, name: string, params = "", lang = "c") =
 task test, "Run tests":
   test "tests", "all_tests", "-d:chronicles_log_level=ERROR"
 
-task test_rocksdb, "Run rocksdb tests":
-  test "tests/db", "test_kvstore_rocksdb", "-d:chronicles_log_level=ERROR"
-
 task test_import, "Run block import test":
   let tmp = getTempDir() / "nimbus-eth1-block-import"
   if dirExists(tmp):
diff --git a/tests/db/test_kvstore_rocksdb.nim b/tests/db/test_kvstore_rocksdb.nim
deleted file mode 100644
index 0b61ccae0..000000000
--- a/tests/db/test_kvstore_rocksdb.nim
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,60 +0,0 @@
-# Nimbus
-# Copyright (c) 2023-2025 Status Research & Development GmbH
-# Licensed under either of
-#  * Apache License, version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or
-#    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
-#  * MIT license ([LICENSE-MIT](LICENSE-MIT) or
-#    http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
-# at your option. This file may not be copied, modified, or distributed except
-# according to those terms.
-
-
-{.used.}
-
-import
-  std/os,
-  unittest2,
-  eth/db/kvstore,
-  ../../execution_chain/db/kvstore_rocksdb,
-  eth/../tests/db/test_kvstore
-
-suite "KvStore RocksDb Tests":
-  const
-    NS_DEFAULT = "default"
-    NS_OTHER = "other"
-
-  test "RocksStoreRef KvStore interface":
-    let tmp = getTempDir() / "nimbus-test-db"
-    removeDir(tmp)
-
-    let db = RocksStoreRef.init(tmp, "test")[]
-    defer:
-      db.close()
-
-    testKvStore(kvStore db, false, false)
-
-  test "RocksNamespaceRef KvStore interface - default namespace":
-    let tmp = getTempDir() / "nimbus-test-db"
-    removeDir(tmp)
-
-    let db = RocksStoreRef.init(tmp, "test")[]
-    defer:
-      db.close()
-
-    let defaultNs = db.openNamespace(NS_DEFAULT)[]
-    testKvStore(kvStore defaultNs, false, false)
-
-  test "RocksNamespaceRef KvStore interface - multiple namespace":
-    let tmp = getTempDir() / "nimbus-test-db"
-    removeDir(tmp)
-
-    let db = RocksStoreRef.init(tmp, "test",
-        namespaces = @[NS_DEFAULT, NS_OTHER])[]
-    defer:
-      db.close()
-
-    let defaultNs = db.openNamespace(NS_DEFAULT)[]
-    testKvStore(kvStore defaultNs, false, false)
-
-    let otherNs = db.openNamespace(NS_OTHER)[]
-    testKvStore(kvStore otherNs, false, false)
diff --git a/tests/test_aristo/test_compute.nim b/tests/test_aristo/test_compute.nim
index 3b20dc733..b6a24aa79 100644
--- a/tests/test_aristo/test_compute.nim
+++ b/tests/test_aristo/test_compute.nim
@@ -20,15 +20,13 @@ import
     aristo_delete,
     aristo_merge,
     aristo_desc,
-    aristo_init,
+    aristo_init/memory_only,
     aristo_persist,
     aristo_tx_frame,
   ]
 
 func x(s: string): seq[byte] =
   s.hexToSeqByte
-func k(s: string): HashKey =
-  HashKey.fromBytes(s.x).value
 
 let samples = [
   # Somew on-the-fly provided stuff
@@ -79,7 +77,7 @@ suite "Aristo compute":
   for n, sample in samples:
     test "Add and delete entries " & $n:
       let
-        db = AristoDbRef.init VoidBackendRef
+        db = AristoDbRef.init MemBackendRef
         txFrame = db.txRef
         root = VertexID(1)
 
diff --git a/tests/test_coredb.nim b/tests/test_coredb.nim
index 2c77482d3..02be8a825 100644
--- a/tests/test_coredb.nim
+++ b/tests/test_coredb.nim
@@ -160,7 +160,6 @@ proc initRunnerDB(
     case dbType:
     of AristoDbMemory: AristoDbMemory.newCoreDbRef()
     of AristoDbRocks: AristoDbRocks.newCoreDbRef(path, DbOptions.init())
-    of AristoDbVoid: AristoDbVoid.newCoreDbRef()
     else: raiseAssert $dbType
 
   when false: # or true: