diff --git a/tests-functional/conftest.py b/tests-functional/conftest.py
index 27b4a7546..ae5793f73 100644
--- a/tests-functional/conftest.py
+++ b/tests-functional/conftest.py
@@ -4,23 +4,29 @@ from dataclasses import dataclass
 
 def pytest_addoption(parser):
     parser.addoption(
-        "--rpc_url",
+        "--rpc_url_statusd",
         action="store",
         help="",
         default="http://0.0.0.0:3333",
     )
     parser.addoption(
-        "--rpc_url_2",
+        "--rpc_url_status_backend",
         action="store",
         help="",
         default="http://0.0.0.0:3334",
     )
     parser.addoption(
-        "--ws_url",
+        "--ws_url_statusd",
         action="store",
         help="",
         default="ws://0.0.0.0:8354",
     )
+    parser.addoption(
+        "--ws_url_status_backend",
+        action="store",
+        help="",
+        default="ws://0.0.0.0:3334",
+    )
     parser.addoption(
         "--anvil_url",
         action="store",
@@ -39,14 +45,17 @@ class Account():
     
     address: str
     private_key: str
+    password: str
 
 user_1 = Account(
     address="0xf39fd6e51aad88f6f4ce6ab8827279cfffb92266",
     private_key="0xac0974bec39a17e36ba4a6b4d238ff944bacb478cbed5efcae784d7bf4f2ff80",
+    password="Strong12345"
 )
 user_2 = Account(
     address="0x70997970c51812dc3a010c7d01b50e0d17dc79c8",
     private_key="0x59c6995e998f97a5a0044966f0945389dc9e86dae88c7a8412f4603b6b78690d",
+    password="Strong12345"
 )
 
 @dataclass
diff --git a/tests-functional/docker-compose.status-go.local.yml b/tests-functional/docker-compose.status-go.local.yml
index 3d04cf592..4c1f726e5 100644
--- a/tests-functional/docker-compose.status-go.local.yml
+++ b/tests-functional/docker-compose.status-go.local.yml
@@ -6,6 +6,6 @@ services:
     ports:
       - 3333:3333
       - 8354:8354
-  status-go-no-funds:
+  status-backend:
     ports:
       - 3334:3333
diff --git a/tests-functional/docker-compose.test.status-go.yml b/tests-functional/docker-compose.test.status-go.yml
index 4c81ecabe..044f1c090 100644
--- a/tests-functional/docker-compose.test.status-go.yml
+++ b/tests-functional/docker-compose.test.status-go.yml
@@ -30,22 +30,18 @@ services:
       - ./coverage/binary:/coverage/binary
     stop_signal: SIGINT
 
-  # TODO: Remove this duplication when implemented: https://github.com/status-im/status-go/issues/5803
-  status-go-no-funds:
-    user: ${FUNCTIONAL_TESTS_DOCKER_UID}
+  status-backend:
+    user: ${INTEGRATION_TESTS_DOCKER_UID}
     build:
       context: ../
       dockerfile: _assets/build/Dockerfile
       args:
         build_tags: gowaku_no_rln,enable_private_api
-        build_target: statusd
+        build_target: status-backend
         build_flags: -cover
     entrypoint: [
-      "statusd",
-      "-c", "/static/configs/config.json",
-      "--seed-phrase", "test test test test test test test test test test test takoe",
-      "--password", "Strong12345",
-      "--dir", "/tmp/status-go-data", # Keep in sync with `config.json/DataDir` value. Later this arg will not be needed.
+      "status-backend",
+      "--address", "0.0.0.0:3333",
     ]
     healthcheck:
       test: ["CMD-SHELL", "curl -X POST --data '{\"jsonrpc\":\"2.0\",\"method\":\"net_version\",\"params\":[],\"id\":1}' -H 'Content-Type: application/json' http://0.0.0.0:3333 || exit 1"]
@@ -63,7 +59,7 @@ services:
     depends_on:
       status-go:
         condition: service_healthy
-      status-go-no-funds:
+      status-backend:
         condition: service_healthy
       deploy-communities-contracts:
         condition: service_completed_successfully
@@ -72,12 +68,13 @@ services:
       dockerfile: Dockerfile.tests-rpc
     entrypoint: [
       "pytest",
-      "-m", "wallet or ethclient",
-      "--rpc_url=http://status-go:3333",
-      "--rpc_url_2=http://status-go-no-funds:3333",
+      "-m", "rpc",
       "--anvil_url=http://anvil:8545",
-      "--ws_url=ws://status-go:8354",
-      "--junitxml=/tests-rpc/reports/report.xml",
+      "--rpc_url_statusd=http://status-go:3333",
+      "--rpc_url_status_backend=http://status-backend:3333",
+      "--ws_url_statusd=ws://status-go:8354",
+      "--ws_url_status_backend=ws://status-backend:3333",
+      "--junitxml=/tests-rpc/reports/report.xml"
     ]
     volumes:
       - .:/tests-rpc
diff --git a/tests-functional/pytest.ini b/tests-functional/pytest.ini
index f198ae66e..505fab3c8 100644
--- a/tests-functional/pytest.ini
+++ b/tests-functional/pytest.ini
@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@ markers =
     wakuext
     accounts
     ethclient
+    init
diff --git a/tests-functional/tests/clients/signals.py b/tests-functional/tests/clients/signals.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8eea6f327
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-functional/tests/clients/signals.py
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+
+import websocket
+import time
+import json
+import logging
+
+
+class SignalClient:
+
+    def __init__(self, ws_url, await_signals):
+        self.ws_url = ws_url
+
+        self.await_signals = await_signals
+        self.received_signals = {
+            signal: [] for signal in self.await_signals
+        }
+
+    def on_message(self, ws, signal):
+        signal = json.loads(signal)
+        if signal.get("type") in self.await_signals:
+            self.received_signals[signal["type"]].append(signal)
+
+    def wait_for_signal(self, signal_type, timeout=20):
+        start_time = time.time()
+        while not self.received_signals.get(signal_type):
+            time_passed = time.time() - start_time
+            if time_passed >= timeout:
+                raise TimeoutError(
+                    f"Signal {signal_type} is not  received in {timeout} seconds")
+            time.sleep(0.2)
+        return self.received_signals[signal_type][0]
+
+    def _on_error(self, ws, error):
+        logging.info(f"Error: {error}")
+
+    def _on_close(self, ws, close_status_code, close_msg):
+        logging.info(f"Connection closed: {close_status_code}, {close_msg}")
+
+    def _on_open(self, ws):
+        logging.info("Connection opened")
+
+    def _connect(self):
+        self.url = f"{self.ws_url}/signals"
+        ws = websocket.WebSocketApp(self.url,
+                                    on_message=self.on_message,
+                                    on_error=self._on_error,
+                                    on_close=self._on_close)
+        ws.on_open = self._on_open
+        ws.run_forever()
diff --git a/tests-functional/tests/clients/status_backend.py b/tests-functional/tests/clients/status_backend.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0459659db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-functional/tests/clients/status_backend.py
@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+import jsonschema
+import json
+import requests
+from datetime import datetime
+from conftest import option, user_1
+from clients.signals import SignalClient
+
+
+class RpcClient:
+
+    def __init__(
+        self, rpc_url, client=requests.Session()
+    ):
+
+        self.client = client
+        self.rpc_url = rpc_url
+
+    def _try_except_JSONDecodeError_KeyError(self, response, key: str):
+        try:
+            return response.json()[key]
+        except json.JSONDecodeError:
+            raise AssertionError(
+                f"Invalid JSON in response: {response.content}")
+        except KeyError:
+            raise AssertionError(
+                f"Key '{key}' not found in the JSON response: {response.content}")
+
+    def verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(self, response, _id=None):
+        assert response.status_code == 200
+        assert response.content
+        self._try_except_JSONDecodeError_KeyError(response, "result")
+
+        if _id:
+            try:
+                if _id != response.json()["id"]:
+                    raise AssertionError(
+                        f"got id: {response.json()['id']} instead of expected id: {_id}"
+                    )
+            except KeyError:
+                raise AssertionError(f"no id in response {response.json()}")
+        return response
+
+    def verify_is_json_rpc_error(self, response):
+        assert response.status_code == 200
+        assert response.content
+        self._try_except_JSONDecodeError_KeyError(response, "error")
+
+    def rpc_request(self, method, params=[], _id=None, url=None):
+        url = url if url else self.rpc_url
+        data = {"jsonrpc": "2.0", "method": method}
+        if params:
+            data["params"] = params
+        data["id"] = _id if _id else 13
+        response = self.client.post(url, json=data)
+
+        return response
+
+    def rpc_valid_request(self, method, params=[], _id=None, url=None):
+        response = self.rpc_request(method, params, _id, url)
+        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response, _id)
+        return response
+
+    def verify_json_schema(self, response, method):
+        with open(f"{option.base_dir}/schemas/{method}", "r") as schema:
+            jsonschema.validate(instance=response.json(),
+                                schema=json.load(schema))
+
+
+class StatusBackend(RpcClient, SignalClient):
+
+    def __init__(self, await_signals):
+
+        self.api_url = f"{option.rpc_url_status_backend}/statusgo"
+        self.ws_url = f"{option.ws_url_status_backend}"
+        self.rpc_url = f"{option.rpc_url_status_backend}/statusgo/CallRPC"
+
+        RpcClient.__init__(self, self.rpc_url)
+        SignalClient.__init__(self, self.ws_url, await_signals)
+
+    def api_request(self, method, data, url=None):
+        url = url if url else self.api_url
+        url = f"{url}/{method}"
+        response = requests.post(url, json=data)
+        return response
+
+    def verify_is_valid_api_response(self, response):
+        assert response.status_code == 200
+        assert response.content
+        try:
+            assert not response.json()["error"]
+        except json.JSONDecodeError:
+            raise AssertionError(
+                f"Invalid JSON in response: {response.content}")
+        except KeyError:
+            pass
+
+    def api_valid_request(self, method, data, url=None):
+        response = self.api_request(method, data)
+        self.verify_is_valid_api_response(response)
+        return response
+
+    def init_status_backend(self, data_dir="/"):
+        method = "InitializeApplication"
+        data = {
+            "dataDir": data_dir
+        }
+        return self.api_valid_request(method, data)
+
+    def create_account_and_login(self, display_name="Mr_Meeseeks", password=user_1.password):
+        data_dir = f"dataDir_{datetime.now().strftime('%Y%m%d_%H%M%S')}"
+        method = "CreateAccountAndLogin"
+        data = {
+            "rootDataDir": data_dir,
+            "kdfIterations": 256000,
+            "displayName": display_name,
+            "password": password,
+            "customizationColor": "primary"
+        }
+        return self.api_valid_request(method, data)
+
+    def start_messenger(self, params=[]):
+        method = "wakuext_startMessenger"
+        response = self.rpc_request(method, params)
+        json_response = response.json()
+
+        if 'error' in json_response:
+            assert json_response['error']['code'] == -32000
+            assert json_response['error']['message'] == "messenger already started"
+            return
+
+        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
+
+    def start_wallet(self, params=[]):
+        method = "wallet_startWallet"
+        response = self.rpc_request(method, params)
+        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
+
+    def get_settings(self, params=[]):
+        method = "settings_getSettings"
+        response = self.rpc_request(method, params)
+        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
diff --git a/tests-functional/tests/test_accounts.py b/tests-functional/tests/test_accounts.py
index ad1e285cb..c974c5392 100644
--- a/tests-functional/tests/test_accounts.py
+++ b/tests-functional/tests/test_accounts.py
@@ -3,12 +3,12 @@ import pytest
 import jsonschema
 import json
 from conftest import option
-from test_cases import RpcTestCase
+from test_cases import StatusDTestCase
 
 
 @pytest.mark.accounts
 @pytest.mark.rpc
-class TestAccounts(RpcTestCase):
+class TestAccounts(StatusDTestCase):
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize(
         "method, params",
@@ -22,7 +22,5 @@ class TestAccounts(RpcTestCase):
     def test_(self, method, params):
         _id = str(random.randint(1, 8888))
 
-        response = self.rpc_request(method, params, _id)
-        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
-        with open(f"{option.base_dir}/schemas/{method}", "r") as schema:
-            jsonschema.validate(instance=response.json(), schema=json.load(schema))
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request(method, params, _id)
+        self.rpc_client.verify_json_schema(response, method)
diff --git a/tests-functional/tests/test_cases.py b/tests-functional/tests/test_cases.py
index e4f057973..bee2c5cce 100644
--- a/tests-functional/tests/test_cases.py
+++ b/tests-functional/tests/test_cases.py
@@ -1,74 +1,25 @@
 import json
-import websocket
 import threading
-import logging
-import jsonschema
 import time
-import requests
-from conftest import option, user_1, user_2
 import pytest
+import logging
+
+from conftest import option, user_1, user_2
+from clients.signals import SignalClient
+from clients.status_backend import RpcClient, StatusBackend
 from collections import namedtuple
 
-class RpcTestCase:
+class StatusDTestCase:
+
     network_id = 31337
 
     def setup_method(self):
-        pass
+        self.rpc_client = RpcClient(
+            option.rpc_url_statusd
+        )
 
-    def _try_except_JSONDecodeError_KeyError(self, response, key: str):
-        try:
-            return response.json()[key]
-        except json.JSONDecodeError:
-            raise AssertionError(
-                f"Invalid JSON in response: {response.content}")
-        except KeyError:
-            raise AssertionError(
-                f"Key '{key}' not found in the JSON response: {response.content}")
-
-    def verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(self, response, _id=None):
-        assert response.status_code == 200
-        assert response.content
-        self._try_except_JSONDecodeError_KeyError(response, "result")
-
-        if _id:
-            try:
-                if _id != response.json()["id"]:
-                    raise AssertionError(
-                        f"got id: {response.json()['id']} instead of expected id: {_id}"
-                    )
-            except KeyError:
-                raise AssertionError(f"no id in response {response.json()}")
-        return response
-
-    def verify_is_json_rpc_error(self, response):
-        assert response.status_code == 200
-        assert response.content
-        self._try_except_JSONDecodeError_KeyError(response, "error")
-
-    def rpc_request(self, method, params=[], _id=None, client=None, url=None):
-        client = client if client else requests.Session()
-        url = url if url else option.rpc_url
-
-        data = {"jsonrpc": "2.0", "method": method}
-        if params:
-            data["params"] = params
-        data["id"] = _id if _id else 13
-
-        response = client.post(url, json=data)
-
-        return response
-
-    def rpc_valid_request(self, method, params=[], _id=None, client=None, url=None):
-        response = self.rpc_request(method, params, _id, client, url)
-        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response, _id)
-        return response
-
-    def verify_json_schema(self, response, method):
-        with open(f"{option.base_dir}/schemas/{method}", "r") as schema:
-            jsonschema.validate(instance=response.json(),
-                                schema=json.load(schema))
-
-class WalletTestCase(RpcTestCase):
+class WalletTestCase(StatusDTestCase):
+    
     def setup_method(self):
         super().setup_method()
 
@@ -89,7 +40,7 @@ class WalletTestCase(RpcTestCase):
             if key in transferTx_data:
                 transferTx_data[key] = new_value
             else:
-                print(
+                logging.info(
                     f"Warning: The key '{key}' does not exist in the transferTx parameters and will be ignored.")
         params = [
             {
@@ -109,13 +60,13 @@ class WalletTestCase(RpcTestCase):
             ],
             f"{option.password}",
         ]
-        return self.rpc_request(method, params)
+        return self.rpc_client.rpc_request(method, params)
 
     def send_valid_multi_transaction(self, **kwargs):
         response = self.wallet_create_multi_transaction(**kwargs)
 
         tx_hash = None
-        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
+        self.rpc_client.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
         try:
             tx_hash = response.json(
         )["result"]["hashes"][str(self.network_id)][0]
@@ -124,14 +75,19 @@ class WalletTestCase(RpcTestCase):
         return tx_hash
 
 class TransactionTestCase(WalletTestCase):
+
     def setup_method(self):
         super().setup_method()
-
         self.tx_hash = self.send_valid_multi_transaction()
 
-class EthApiTestCase(WalletTestCase):
+class EthRpcTestCase(WalletTestCase):
+
     @pytest.fixture(autouse=True, scope='class')
     def tx_data(self):
+        self.rpc_client = RpcClient(
+            option.rpc_url_statusd
+        )
+
         tx_hash = self.send_valid_multi_transaction()
         self.wait_until_tx_not_pending(tx_hash)
 
@@ -148,17 +104,17 @@ class EthApiTestCase(WalletTestCase):
     def get_block_header(self, block_number):
         method = "ethclient_headerByNumber"
         params = [self.network_id, block_number]
-        return self.rpc_valid_request(method, params)
+        return self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request(method, params)
 
     def get_transaction_receipt(self, tx_hash):
         method = "ethclient_transactionReceipt"
         params = [self.network_id, tx_hash]
-        return self.rpc_valid_request(method, params)
+        return self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request(method, params)
 
     def wait_until_tx_not_pending(self, tx_hash, timeout=10):
         method = "ethclient_transactionByHash"
         params = [self.network_id, tx_hash]
-        response = self.rpc_valid_request(method, params)
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request(method, params)
 
         start_time = time.time()
         while response.json()["result"]["isPending"] == True:
@@ -167,53 +123,22 @@ class EthApiTestCase(WalletTestCase):
                 raise TimeoutError(
                     f"Tx {tx_hash} is still pending after {timeout} seconds")
             time.sleep(0.5)
-            response = self.rpc_valid_request(method, params)
+            response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request(method, params)
         return response.json()["result"]["tx"]
 
-class SignalTestCase(RpcTestCase):
+class SignalTestCase(StatusDTestCase):
 
     await_signals = []
-    received_signals = {}
-
-    def on_message(self, ws, signal):
-        signal = json.loads(signal)
-        if signal.get("type") in self.await_signals:
-            self.received_signals[signal["type"]] = signal
-
-    def wait_for_signal(self, signal_type, timeout=10):
-        start_time = time.time()
-        while signal_type not in self.received_signals:
-            time_passed = time.time() - start_time
-            if time_passed >= timeout:
-                raise TimeoutError(
-                    f"Signal {signal_type} is not  received in {timeout} seconds")
-            time.sleep(0.5)
-        return self.received_signals[signal_type]
-
-    def _on_error(self, ws, error):
-        logging.info(f"Error: {error}")
-
-    def _on_close(self, ws, close_status_code, close_msg):
-        logging.info(f"Connection closed: {close_status_code}, {close_msg}")
-
-    def _on_open(self, ws):
-        logging.info("Connection opened")
-
-    def _connect(self):
-        self.url = f"{option.ws_url}/signals"
-
-        ws = websocket.WebSocketApp(self.url,
-                                    on_message=self.on_message,
-                                    on_error=self._on_error,
-                                    on_close=self._on_close)
-
-        ws.on_open = self._on_open
-
-        ws.run_forever()
 
     def setup_method(self):
         super().setup_method()
+        self.signal_client = SignalClient(option.ws_url_statusd, self.await_signals)
 
-        websocket_thread = threading.Thread(target=self._connect)
+        websocket_thread = threading.Thread(target=self.signal_client._connect)
         websocket_thread.daemon = True
         websocket_thread.start()
+
+class StatusBackendTestCase:
+
+    def setup_method(self):
+        pass
diff --git a/tests-functional/tests/test_eth_api.py b/tests-functional/tests/test_eth_api.py
index aeb1aa426..3eec9d694 100644
--- a/tests-functional/tests/test_eth_api.py
+++ b/tests-functional/tests/test_eth_api.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import pytest
 from conftest import option
-from test_cases import EthApiTestCase
+from test_cases import EthRpcTestCase
 
 def validateHeader(header, block_number, block_hash):
     assert header["number"] == block_number
@@ -21,33 +21,34 @@ def validateReceipt(receipt, tx_hash, block_number, block_hash):
 
 @pytest.mark.rpc
 @pytest.mark.ethclient
-class TestRpc(EthApiTestCase):
+class TestEth(EthRpcTestCase):
+
     def test_block_number(self):
-        self.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_blockNumber", [self.network_id])
+        self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_blockNumber", [self.network_id])
 
     def test_suggest_gas_price(self):
-        self.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_suggestGasPrice", [self.network_id])
+        self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_suggestGasPrice", [self.network_id])
 
     def test_header_by_number(self, tx_data):
-        response = self.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_headerByNumber", [self.network_id, tx_data.block_number])
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_headerByNumber", [self.network_id, tx_data.block_number])
         validateHeader(response.json()["result"], tx_data.block_number, tx_data.block_hash)
 
     def test_block_by_number(self, tx_data):
-        response = self.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_blockByNumber", [self.network_id, tx_data.block_number])
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_blockByNumber", [self.network_id, tx_data.block_number])
         validateBlock(response.json()["result"], tx_data.block_number, tx_data.block_hash, tx_data.tx_hash)
 
     def test_header_by_hash(self, tx_data):
-        response = self.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_headerByHash", [self.network_id, tx_data.block_hash])
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_headerByHash", [self.network_id, tx_data.block_hash])
         validateHeader(response.json()["result"], tx_data.block_number, tx_data.block_hash)
 
     def test_block_by_hash(self, tx_data):
-        response = self.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_blockByHash", [self.network_id, tx_data.block_hash])
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_blockByHash", [self.network_id, tx_data.block_hash])
         validateBlock(response.json()["result"], tx_data.block_number, tx_data.block_hash, tx_data.tx_hash)
 
     def test_transaction_by_hash(self, tx_data):
-        response = self.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_transactionByHash", [self.network_id, tx_data.tx_hash])
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_transactionByHash", [self.network_id, tx_data.tx_hash])
         validateTransaction(response.json()["result"], tx_data.tx_hash)
 
     def test_transaction_receipt(self, tx_data):
-        response = self.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_transactionReceipt", [self.network_id, tx_data.tx_hash])
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request("ethclient_transactionReceipt", [self.network_id, tx_data.tx_hash])
         validateReceipt(response.json()["result"], tx_data.tx_hash, tx_data.block_number, tx_data.block_hash)
diff --git a/tests-functional/tests/test_init_status_app.py b/tests-functional/tests/test_init_status_app.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7d8465aa6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-functional/tests/test_init_status_app.py
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+import pytest
+import threading
+from conftest import option
+from clients.status_backend import StatusBackend
+from test_cases import StatusBackendTestCase
+
+
+@pytest.mark.create_account
+@pytest.mark.rpc
+class TestInitialiseApp(StatusBackendTestCase):
+
+    @pytest.fixture(scope="session", autouse=True)
+    def init_status_backend(self):
+
+        await_signals = [
+
+            "mediaserver.started",
+            "node.started",
+            "node.ready",
+            "node.login",
+
+            "wallet",  # TODO: a test per event of a different type
+        ]
+
+        self.backend_client = StatusBackend(
+            await_signals
+        )
+
+        websocket_thread = threading.Thread(
+            target=self.backend_client._connect)
+        websocket_thread.daemon = True
+        websocket_thread.start()
+
+        self.backend_client.init_status_backend()
+        self.backend_client.create_account_and_login()
+
+        yield self.backend_client
+
+    @pytest.mark.init
+    def test_init_app(self, init_status_backend):
+        # this test is going to fail on every call except first since status-backend will be already initialized
+
+        backend_client = init_status_backend
+        assert backend_client is not None
+        mediaserver_started = backend_client.wait_for_signal(
+            "mediaserver.started")
+
+        port = mediaserver_started['event']['port']
+        assert type(port) is int, f"Port is not an integer, found {type(port)}"
+
+        backend_client.wait_for_signal("node.started")
+        backend_client.wait_for_signal("node.ready")
+        backend_client.wait_for_signal("node.login")
diff --git a/tests-functional/tests/test_router.py b/tests-functional/tests/test_router.py
index 55a3ab43d..85907e1c7 100644
--- a/tests-functional/tests/test_router.py
+++ b/tests-functional/tests/test_router.py
@@ -41,10 +41,9 @@ class TestTransactionFromRoute(SignalTestCase):
                 "fromLockedAmount": {}
             }
         ]
-        response = self.rpc_request(method, params)
-        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request(method, params)
 
-        routes = self.wait_for_signal("wallet.suggested.routes")
+        routes = self.signal_client.wait_for_signal("wallet.suggested.routes")
         assert routes['event']['Uuid'] == _uuid
 
         method = "wallet_buildTransactionsFromRoute"
@@ -54,15 +53,13 @@ class TestTransactionFromRoute(SignalTestCase):
                 "slippagePercentage": 0
             }
         ]
-        response = self.rpc_request(method, params)
-        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request(method, params)
 
-        self.wait_for_signal("wallet.router.sign-transactions")
+        wallet_router_sign_transactions = self.signal_client.wait_for_signal(
+            "wallet.router.sign-transactions")
 
-        assert self.received_signals[
-            'wallet.router.sign-transactions']['event']['signingDetails']['signOnKeycard'] == False
-        transaction_hashes = self.received_signals[
-            'wallet.router.sign-transactions']['event']['signingDetails']['hashes']
+        assert wallet_router_sign_transactions['event']['signingDetails']['signOnKeycard'] == False
+        transaction_hashes = wallet_router_sign_transactions['event']['signingDetails']['hashes']
 
         assert transaction_hashes, "Transaction hashes are empty!"
 
@@ -77,8 +74,7 @@ class TestTransactionFromRoute(SignalTestCase):
                 option.password
             ]
 
-            response = self.rpc_request(method, params)
-            self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
+            response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request(method, params)
 
             if response.json()["result"].startswith("0x"):
                 tx_signature = response.json()["result"][2:]
@@ -98,11 +94,10 @@ class TestTransactionFromRoute(SignalTestCase):
                 "Signatures": tx_signatures
             }
         ]
-        response = self.rpc_request(method, params)
-        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
-
-        tx_status = self.wait_for_signal("wallet.transaction.status-changed")
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request(method, params)
 
+        tx_status = self.signal_client.wait_for_signal(
+            "wallet.transaction.status-changed")
 
         assert tx_status["event"]["chainId"] == 31337
         assert tx_status["event"]["status"] == "Success"
@@ -111,8 +106,7 @@ class TestTransactionFromRoute(SignalTestCase):
         method = "eth_getTransactionByHash"
         params = [tx_hash]
 
-        response = self.rpc_request(method, params, url=option.anvil_url)
-        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request(method, params, url=option.anvil_url)
         tx_details = response.json()["result"]
 
         assert tx_details["value"] == amount_in
diff --git a/tests-functional/tests/test_waku_rpc.py b/tests-functional/tests/test_waku_rpc.py
index f09622049..d9fbbfe32 100644
--- a/tests-functional/tests/test_waku_rpc.py
+++ b/tests-functional/tests/test_waku_rpc.py
@@ -4,14 +4,14 @@ import jsonschema
 import json
 import time
 from conftest import option, user_1, user_2
-from test_cases import RpcTestCase, TransactionTestCase
+from test_cases import StatusDTestCase, TransactionTestCase
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from typing import List, Optional
 
 
-@pytest.mark.rpc
-@pytest.mark.wakuext
-class TestRpc(RpcTestCase):
+
+@pytest.mark.skip("to be reworked via status-backend")
+class TestRpc(StatusDTestCase):
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize(
         "method, params",
@@ -22,15 +22,12 @@ class TestRpc(RpcTestCase):
     def test_(self, method, params):
         _id = str(random.randint(1, 8888))
 
-        response = self.rpc_request(method, params, _id, url=option.rpc_url_2)
-        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
-        self.verify_json_schema(response, method)
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request(method, params, _id, url=option.rpc_url_2)
+        self.rpc_client.verify_json_schema(response, method)
 
 
-@pytest.mark.rpc
-@pytest.mark.accounts
-@pytest.mark.wakuext
-class TestRpcMessaging(RpcTestCase):
+@pytest.mark.skip("to be reworked via status-backend")
+class TestRpcMessaging(StatusDTestCase):
 
     @dataclass
     class User:
@@ -46,10 +43,10 @@ class TestRpcMessaging(RpcTestCase):
 
         # get chat public key
         for user in self.user_1, self.user_2:
-            response = self.rpc_request(
+            response = self.rpc_client.rpc_request(
                 "accounts_getAccounts", [], _id, url=user.rpc_url
             )
-            self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
+            self.rpc_client.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
 
             user.chat_public_key = next(
                 (
@@ -64,7 +61,7 @@ class TestRpcMessaging(RpcTestCase):
         for sender in self.user_1, self.user_2:
             for receiver in self.user_1, self.user_2:
                 if sender != receiver:
-                    response = self.rpc_request(
+                    response = self.rpc_client.rpc_request(
                         method="wakuext_sendContactRequest",
                         params=[
                             {
@@ -76,12 +73,12 @@ class TestRpcMessaging(RpcTestCase):
                         url=sender.rpc_url,
                     )
 
-                    self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
+                    self.rpc_client.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
                     sender.chat_id = response.json()["result"]["chats"][0]["lastMessage"]["id"]
 
         # accept contact requests
         for user in self.user_1, self.user_2:
-            response = self.rpc_request(
+            response = self.rpc_client.rpc_request(
                 method="wakuext_acceptContactRequest",
                 params=[
                     {
@@ -91,17 +88,17 @@ class TestRpcMessaging(RpcTestCase):
                 _id=99,
                 url=user.rpc_url,
             )
-            self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
+            self.rpc_client.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
 
         # verify contacts
         for user in (self.user_1, self.user_2), (self.user_2, self.user_1):
-            response = self.rpc_request(
+            response = self.rpc_client.rpc_request(
                 method="wakuext_contacts",
                 params=[],
                 _id=99,
                 url=user[0].rpc_url,
             )
-            self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
+            self.rpc_client.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
 
             response = response.json()
             assert response["result"][0]["added"] == True
diff --git a/tests-functional/tests/test_wallet_rpc.py b/tests-functional/tests/test_wallet_rpc.py
index b212bec32..706a286ed 100644
--- a/tests-functional/tests/test_wallet_rpc.py
+++ b/tests-functional/tests/test_wallet_rpc.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import pytest
 import jsonschema
 import json
 from conftest import option, user_1, user_2
-from test_cases import RpcTestCase, TransactionTestCase
+from test_cases import StatusDTestCase, TransactionTestCase
 
 
 @pytest.mark.wallet
@@ -31,14 +31,12 @@ class TestTransactionRpc(TransactionTestCase):
             params[0][0]["chainId"] = self.network_id
             params[0][0]["hash"] = self.tx_hash
 
-        response = self.rpc_request(method, params, _id)
-        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
-        with open(f"{option.base_dir}/schemas/{method}", "r") as schema:
-            jsonschema.validate(instance=response.json(), schema=json.load(schema))
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request(method, params, _id)
+        self.rpc_client.verify_json_schema(response, method)
 
     def test_create_multi_transaction(self):
         response = self.wallet_create_multi_transaction()
-        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
+        self.rpc_client.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
         
         # how to create schema:
         # from schema_builder import CustomSchemaBuilder
@@ -64,18 +62,17 @@ class TestTransactionRpc(TransactionTestCase):
                                                  changed_values,
                                                  expected_error_code, expected_error_text):
         response = self.wallet_create_multi_transaction(**changed_values)
-        self.verify_is_json_rpc_error(response)
+        self.rpc_client.verify_is_json_rpc_error(response)
         actual_error_code, actual_error_text = response.json()['error']['code'], response.json()['error']['message']
         assert expected_error_code == actual_error_code, f"got code: {actual_error_code} instead of expected: {expected_error_code}"
         assert expected_error_text in actual_error_text, f"got error: {actual_error_text} that does not include: {expected_error_text}"
 
-        with open(f"{option.base_dir}/schemas/wallet_createMultiTransaction/transferTx_error", "r") as schema:
-             jsonschema.validate(instance=response.json(), schema=json.load(schema))
+        self.rpc_client.verify_json_schema(response, "wallet_createMultiTransaction/transferTx_error")
 
 
 @pytest.mark.wallet
 @pytest.mark.rpc
-class TestRpc(RpcTestCase):
+class TestRpc(StatusDTestCase):
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize(
         "method, params",
@@ -90,7 +87,5 @@ class TestRpc(RpcTestCase):
     def test_(self, method, params):
         _id = str(random.randint(1, 8888))
 
-        response = self.rpc_request(method, params, _id)
-        self.verify_is_valid_json_rpc_response(response)
-        with open(f"{option.base_dir}/schemas/{method}", "r") as schema:
-            jsonschema.validate(instance=response.json(), schema=json.load(schema))
+        response = self.rpc_client.rpc_valid_request(method, params, _id)
+        self.rpc_client.verify_json_schema(response, method)