diff --git a/script/research/validatord/Cargo.toml b/script/research/validatord/Cargo.toml
index a5bdee6bf..ab2ea4e3b 100644
--- a/script/research/validatord/Cargo.toml
+++ b/script/research/validatord/Cargo.toml
@@ -17,6 +17,10 @@ async-channel = "1.6.1"
 async-executor = "1.4.1"
 easy-parallel = "3.2.0"
 
+# Crypto
+rand = "0.8.5"
+blake3 = "1.3.1"
+
 # Storage
 sled = "0.34.7"
 
@@ -29,6 +33,7 @@ structopt-toml = "0.5.0"
 toml = "0.5.9"
 
 # Misc
+chrono = "0.4.19"
 log = "0.4.16"
 num_cpus = "1.13.1"
 simplelog = "0.12.0"
diff --git a/src/consensus/block.rs b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/block.rs
similarity index 99%
rename from src/consensus/block.rs
rename to script/research/validatord/src/consensus/block.rs
index f10a20f13..abf22c2ea 100644
--- a/src/consensus/block.rs
+++ b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/block.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use std::io;
 
-use crate::{
+use darkfi::{
     crypto::{keypair::PublicKey, schnorr::Signature},
     impl_vec, net,
     util::serial::{
diff --git a/src/consensus/blockchain.rs b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/blockchain.rs
similarity index 99%
rename from src/consensus/blockchain.rs
rename to script/research/validatord/src/consensus/blockchain.rs
index 06c1a9a1e..3afdb8408 100644
--- a/src/consensus/blockchain.rs
+++ b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/blockchain.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ use std::io;
 
 use log::debug;
 
-use crate::{
+use darkfi::{
     impl_vec,
     util::serial::{Decodable, Encodable, SerialDecodable, SerialEncodable, VarInt},
     Result,
diff --git a/src/consensus/metadata.rs b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/metadata.rs
similarity index 99%
rename from src/consensus/metadata.rs
rename to script/research/validatord/src/consensus/metadata.rs
index 99064c79a..a179d4873 100644
--- a/src/consensus/metadata.rs
+++ b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/metadata.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use crate::{
+use darkfi::{
     util::serial::{deserialize, serialize, SerialDecodable, SerialEncodable},
     Result,
 };
diff --git a/src/consensus/mod.rs b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/mod.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from src/consensus/mod.rs
rename to script/research/validatord/src/consensus/mod.rs
diff --git a/src/consensus/participant.rs b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/participant.rs
similarity index 99%
rename from src/consensus/participant.rs
rename to script/research/validatord/src/consensus/participant.rs
index 895aa19d3..7273e0c85 100644
--- a/src/consensus/participant.rs
+++ b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/participant.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use std::{collections::BTreeMap, io};
 
-use crate::{
+use darkfi::{
     impl_vec, net,
     util::serial::{Decodable, Encodable, SerialDecodable, SerialEncodable, VarInt},
     Result,
diff --git a/src/consensus/state.rs b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/state.rs
similarity index 84%
rename from src/consensus/state.rs
rename to script/research/validatord/src/consensus/state.rs
index 441bbfced..a691124d2 100644
--- a/src/consensus/state.rs
+++ b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/state.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 use chrono::{NaiveDateTime, Utc};
-use log::{debug, error};
+use log::{debug, error, warn};
 use rand::rngs::OsRng;
 use std::{
     collections::{hash_map::DefaultHasher, BTreeMap},
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use std::{
     time::Duration,
 };
 
-use crate::{
+use darkfi::{
     crypto::{
         keypair::{PublicKey, SecretKey},
         schnorr::{SchnorrPublic, SchnorrSecret},
@@ -41,10 +41,14 @@ pub struct ConsensusState {
     pub proposals: Vec<ProposalsChain>,
     /// Orphan votes pool, in case a vote reaches a node before the corresponding block
     pub orphan_votes: Vec<Vote>,
-    /// Validators currently participating in the concensus
+    /// Node participation identity
+    pub participant: Option<Participant>,
+    /// Validators currently participating in the consensus
     pub participants: BTreeMap<u64, Participant>,
-    /// Validators to be added on next epoch as participants
+    /// Validators to be added on the next epoch as participants
     pub pending_participants: Vec<Participant>,
+    /// Last slot participants where refreshed
+    pub refreshed: u64,
 }
 
 impl ConsensusState {
@@ -57,8 +61,10 @@ impl ConsensusState {
                 genesis: Timestamp(genesis),
                 proposals: Vec::new(),
                 orphan_votes: Vec::new(),
+                participant: None,
                 participants: BTreeMap::new(),
-                pending_participants: Vec::new(),
+                pending_participants: vec![],
+                refreshed: 0,
             };
             let serialized = serialize(&consensus);
             tree.insert(id.to_ne_bytes(), serialized)?;
@@ -172,14 +178,40 @@ impl ValidatorState {
     pub fn current_epoch(&self) -> u64 {
         self.consensus.genesis.clone().elapsed() / (2 * DELTA)
     }
+    
+    /// Finds the last epoch a proposal or block was generated.
+    pub fn last_epoch(&self) -> Result<u64> {
+        let mut epoch = 0;
+        for chain in &self.consensus.proposals {
+            for proposal in &chain.proposals {
+                if proposal.block.sl > epoch {
+                    epoch = proposal.block.sl;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        // We return here in case proposals exist,
+        // so we don't query the sled database.
+        if epoch > 0 {
+            return Ok(epoch)
+        }
+
+        let (last_sl, _) = self.blockchain.last()?.unwrap();
+        Ok(last_sl)
+    }
 
     /// Node finds epochs leader, using a simple hash method.
     /// Leader calculation is based on how many nodes are participating in the network.
     pub fn epoch_leader(&mut self) -> u64 {
         let epoch = self.current_epoch();
+        // DefaultHasher is used to hash the epoch number
+        // because it produces a number string which then can be modulated by the len.
+        // blake3 produces alphanumeric
         let mut hasher = DefaultHasher::new();
         epoch.hash(&mut hasher);
         let pos = hasher.finish() % (self.consensus.participants.len() as u64);
+        // Since BTreeMap orders by key in asceding order, each node will have
+        // the same key in calculated position.
         self.consensus.participants.iter().nth(pos as usize).unwrap().1.id
     }
 
@@ -275,6 +307,9 @@ impl ValidatorState {
         if !self.participating {
             return Ok(None)
         }
+        
+        // Node refreshes participants records
+        self.refresh_participants()?;
 
         let leader = self.epoch_leader();
         if leader != proposal.id {
@@ -416,6 +451,9 @@ impl ValidatorState {
             debug!("Voter signature couldn't be verified. Voter: {:?}", vote.id);
             return Ok((false, None))
         }
+        
+        // Node refreshes participants records
+        self.refresh_participants()?;
 
         let nodes_count = self.consensus.participants.len();
         // Checking that the voter can actually vote.
@@ -565,6 +603,12 @@ impl ValidatorState {
 
         Ok(to_broadcast)
     }
+    
+    /// Append node participant identity to the pending participants list.
+    pub fn append_self_participant(&mut self, participant: Participant) {
+        self.consensus.participant = Some(participant.clone());
+        self.append_participant(participant);
+    }
 
     /// Node retreives a new participant and appends it to the pending participants list.
     pub fn append_participant(&mut self, participant: Participant) -> bool {
@@ -575,40 +619,81 @@ impl ValidatorState {
         true
     }
 
-    /// Node refreshes participants map, to retain only the active ones.
-    /// Active nodes are considered those who joined or voted on previous epoch.
-    pub fn refresh_participants(&mut self) {
-        // adding pending participants
+    /// Refresh the participants map, to retain only the active ones.
+    /// Active nodes are considered those that on the epoch the last proposal
+    /// was generated, either voted or joined the previous epoch.
+    /// That ensures we cover the case of chosen leader beign inactive.
+    pub fn refresh_participants(&mut self) -> Result<()> {
+        // Node checks if it should refresh its participants list
+        let epoch = self.current_epoch();
+        if epoch <= self.consensus.refreshed {
+            debug!("refresh_participants(): Participants have been refreshed this epoch.");
+            return Ok(())
+        }
+
+        debug!("refresh_participants(): Adding pending participants");
         for participant in &self.consensus.pending_participants {
             self.consensus.participants.insert(participant.id, participant.clone());
         }
-        self.consensus.pending_participants = Vec::new();
+
+        if self.consensus.participants.is_empty() {
+            debug!(
+                "refresh_participants(): Didn't manage to add any participant, pending were empty."
+            );
+        }
+
+        self.consensus.pending_participants = vec![];
 
         let mut inactive = Vec::new();
-        let previous_epoch = self.current_epoch() - 1;
+        let mut last_epoch = self.last_epoch()?;
+
+        // This check ensures that we don't chech the current epoch,
+        // as a node might receive the proposal of current epoch before
+        // starting refreshing participants, so the last_epoch will be
+        // the current one.
+        if last_epoch >= epoch {
+            last_epoch = epoch - 1;
+        }
+
+        let previous_epoch = last_epoch - 1;
+
+        error!(
+            "refresh_participants(): Checking epochs: previous - {:?}, last - {:?}",
+            previous_epoch, last_epoch
+        );
+
         for (index, participant) in self.consensus.participants.clone().iter() {
             match participant.voted {
                 Some(epoch) => {
-                    if epoch < previous_epoch {
-                        inactive.push(index.clone());
+                    if epoch < last_epoch {
+                        warn!("refresh_participants(): Inactive participant: {:?}", participant);
+                        inactive.push(*index);
                     }
                 }
                 None => {
                     if participant.joined < previous_epoch {
-                        inactive.push(index.clone());
+                        warn!("refresh_participants(): Inactive participant: {:?}", participant);
+                        inactive.push(*index);
                     }
                 }
             }
         }
+
         for index in inactive {
             self.consensus.participants.remove(&index);
         }
 
         if self.consensus.participants.is_empty() {
             // If no nodes are active, node becomes a single node network.
-            let participant = Participant::new(self.id, self.current_epoch());
+            let mut participant = self.consensus.participant.clone().unwrap();
+            participant.joined = epoch;
+            self.consensus.participant = Some(participant.clone());
             self.consensus.participants.insert(participant.id, participant.clone());
         }
+
+        self.consensus.refreshed = epoch;
+
+        Ok(())
     }
 
     /// Util function to save the current consensus state to provided file path.
@@ -628,8 +713,10 @@ impl ValidatorState {
             genesis,
             proposals: Vec::new(),
             orphan_votes: Vec::new(),
+            participant: None,
             participants: BTreeMap::new(),
-            pending_participants: Vec::new(),
+            pending_participants: vec![],
+            refreshed: 0,
         };
 
         self.consensus = consensus;
diff --git a/src/consensus/tx.rs b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/tx.rs
similarity index 99%
rename from src/consensus/tx.rs
rename to script/research/validatord/src/consensus/tx.rs
index a816c03e4..1c0a87d96 100644
--- a/src/consensus/tx.rs
+++ b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/tx.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use std::io;
 
-use crate::{
+use darkfi::{
     impl_vec, net,
     util::serial::{
         deserialize, serialize, Decodable, Encodable, SerialDecodable, SerialEncodable, VarInt,
diff --git a/src/consensus/util.rs b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/util.rs
similarity index 93%
rename from src/consensus/util.rs
rename to script/research/validatord/src/consensus/util.rs
index 785fb2f74..76372619d 100644
--- a/src/consensus/util.rs
+++ b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/util.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use chrono::{NaiveDateTime, Utc};
 
-use crate::util::serial::{SerialDecodable, SerialEncodable};
+use darkfi::util::serial::{SerialDecodable, SerialEncodable};
 
 /// Serialized blake3 hash bytes for character "⊥"
 pub const EMPTY_HASH_BYTES: [u8; 32] = [
diff --git a/src/consensus/vote.rs b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/vote.rs
similarity index 98%
rename from src/consensus/vote.rs
rename to script/research/validatord/src/consensus/vote.rs
index 21e8ecf67..cdb031264 100644
--- a/src/consensus/vote.rs
+++ b/script/research/validatord/src/consensus/vote.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use std::io;
 
-use crate::{
+use darkfi::{
     crypto::{keypair::PublicKey, schnorr::Signature},
     impl_vec, net,
     util::serial::{Decodable, Encodable, SerialDecodable, SerialEncodable, VarInt},
diff --git a/script/research/validatord/src/lib.rs b/script/research/validatord/src/lib.rs
deleted file mode 100644
index 4cfd65d53..000000000
--- a/script/research/validatord/src/lib.rs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-pub mod protocols;
diff --git a/script/research/validatord/src/main.rs b/script/research/validatord/src/main.rs
index a13d4c84f..685d43bd1 100644
--- a/script/research/validatord/src/main.rs
+++ b/script/research/validatord/src/main.rs
@@ -11,11 +11,12 @@ use structopt::StructOpt;
 use structopt_toml::StructOptToml;
 
 use darkfi::{
-    consensus::{
+    consensus2::{
         block::{BlockOrder, BlockResponse},
         participant::Participant,
         state::{ConsensusRequest, ConsensusResponse, ValidatorState, ValidatorStatePtr},
         tx::Tx,
+        proto::{ProtocolSync, ProtocolTx, ProtocolVote, ProtocolProposal, ProtocolParticipant, ProtocolSyncConsensus}
     },
     net,
     rpc::{
@@ -35,12 +36,6 @@ use darkfi::{
     Result,
 };
 
-use validatord::protocols::{
-    protocol_participant::ProtocolParticipant, protocol_proposal::ProtocolProposal,
-    protocol_sync::ProtocolSync, protocol_sync_consensus::ProtocolSyncConsensus,
-    protocol_tx::ProtocolTx, protocol_vote::ProtocolVote,
-};
-
 const CONFIG_FILE: &str = r"validatord_config.toml";
 const CONFIG_FILE_CONTENTS: &[u8] = include_bytes!("../validatord_config.toml");
 
@@ -124,7 +119,7 @@ async fn syncing_task(p2p: net::P2pPtr, state: ValidatorStatePtr) -> Result<()>
 
         // Nodes sends the last known block hash of the canonical blockchain
         // and loops until the respond is the same block (used to utilize batch requests)
-        let mut last = state.read().unwrap().blockchain.last()?.unwrap();
+        let mut last = state.read().await.blockchain.last()?.unwrap();
         info!("Last known block: {:?} - {:?}", last.0, last.1);
         loop {
             // Node creates a BlockOrder and sends it
@@ -134,9 +129,9 @@ async fn syncing_task(p2p: net::P2pPtr, state: ValidatorStatePtr) -> Result<()>
             // Node stores responce data. Extra validations can be added here.
             let response = response_sub.receive().await?;
             for info in &response.blocks {
-                state.write().unwrap().blockchain.add_by_info(info.clone())?;
+                state.write().await.blockchain.add_by_info(info.clone())?;
             }
-            let last_received = state.read().unwrap().blockchain.last()?.unwrap();
+            let last_received = state.read().await.blockchain.last()?.unwrap();
             info!("Last received block: {:?} - {:?}", last_received.0, last_received.1);
             if last == last_received {
                 break
@@ -167,15 +162,15 @@ async fn syncing_consensus_task(p2p: net::P2pPtr, state: ValidatorStatePtr) -> R
             .expect("Missing ConsensusResponse dispatcher!");
 
         // Node creates a ConsensusRequest and sends it
-        let request = ConsensusRequest { id: state.read().unwrap().id };
+        let request = ConsensusRequest { id: state.read().await.id };
         channel.send(request).await?;
 
         // Node stores responce data. Extra validations can be added here.
         let response = response_sub.receive().await?;
-        state.write().unwrap().consensus = response.consensus.clone();
+        state.write().await.consensus = response.consensus.clone();
     } else {
         info!("Node is not connected to other nodes, resetting consensus state.");
-        state.write().unwrap().reset_consensus_state()?;
+        state.write().await.reset_consensus_state()?;
     }
 
     info!("Node synced!");
@@ -185,7 +180,7 @@ async fn syncing_consensus_task(p2p: net::P2pPtr, state: ValidatorStatePtr) -> R
 async fn proposal_task(p2p: net::P2pPtr, state: ValidatorStatePtr) {
     // Node waits just before the current or next epoch end,
     // so it can start syncing latest state.
-    let mut seconds_until_next_epoch = state.read().unwrap().next_epoch_start();
+    let mut seconds_until_next_epoch = state.read().await.next_epoch_start();
     let one_sec = Duration::new(1, 0);
     loop {
         if seconds_until_next_epoch > one_sec {
@@ -194,7 +189,7 @@ async fn proposal_task(p2p: net::P2pPtr, state: ValidatorStatePtr) {
         }
         info!("Waiting for next epoch({:?} sec)...", seconds_until_next_epoch);
         thread::sleep(seconds_until_next_epoch);
-        seconds_until_next_epoch = state.read().unwrap().next_epoch_start();
+        seconds_until_next_epoch = state.read().await.next_epoch_start();
     }
     info!("Waiting for next epoch({:?} sec)...", seconds_until_next_epoch);
     thread::sleep(seconds_until_next_epoch);
@@ -208,8 +203,8 @@ async fn proposal_task(p2p: net::P2pPtr, state: ValidatorStatePtr) {
 
     // Node signals the network that it will start participating
     let participant =
-        Participant::new(state.read().unwrap().id, state.read().unwrap().current_epoch());
-    state.write().unwrap().append_participant(participant.clone());
+        Participant::new(state.read().await.id, state.read().await.current_epoch());
+    state.write().await.append_self_participant(participant.clone());
     let result = p2p.broadcast(participant.clone()).await;
     match result {
         Ok(()) => info!("Participation message broadcasted successfuly."),
@@ -217,20 +212,20 @@ async fn proposal_task(p2p: net::P2pPtr, state: ValidatorStatePtr) {
     }
 
     // After initialization node waits for next epoch to start participating
-    let seconds_until_next_epoch = state.read().unwrap().next_epoch_start();
+    let seconds_until_next_epoch = state.read().await.next_epoch_start();
     info!("Waiting for next epoch({:?} sec)...", seconds_until_next_epoch);
     thread::sleep(seconds_until_next_epoch);
 
     // Node modifies its participating flag to true
-    state.write().unwrap().participating = true;
+    state.write().await.participating = true;
 
     loop {
         // Node refreshes participants records
-        state.write().unwrap().refresh_participants();
+        state.write().await.refresh_participants();
 
         // Node checks if its the epoch leader to generate a new proposal for that epoch
-        let result = if state.write().unwrap().is_epoch_leader() {
-            state.read().unwrap().propose()
+        let result = if state.write().await.is_epoch_leader() {
+            state.read().await.propose()
         } else {
             Ok(None)
         };
@@ -242,14 +237,14 @@ async fn proposal_task(p2p: net::P2pPtr, state: ValidatorStatePtr) {
                     // Leader creates a vote for the proposal and broadcasts them both
                     let unwrapped = proposal.unwrap();
                     info!("Node is the epoch leader. Proposed block: {:?}", unwrapped);
-                    let vote = state.write().unwrap().receive_proposal(&unwrapped);
+                    let vote = state.write().await.receive_proposal(&unwrapped);
                     match vote {
                         Ok(x) => {
                             if x.is_none() {
                                 error!("Node did not vote for the proposed block.");
                             } else {
                                 let vote = x.unwrap();
-                                let result = state.write().unwrap().receive_vote(&vote);
+                                let result = state.write().await.receive_vote(&vote);
                                 match result {
                                     Ok(_) => info!("Vote saved successfuly."),
                                     Err(e) => error!("Vote save failed. Error: {:?}", e),
@@ -278,7 +273,7 @@ async fn proposal_task(p2p: net::P2pPtr, state: ValidatorStatePtr) {
         }
 
         // Current node state is flushed to sled database
-        let result = state.read().unwrap().save_consensus_state();
+        let result = state.read().await.save_consensus_state();
         match result {
             Ok(()) => (),
             Err(e) => {
@@ -287,7 +282,7 @@ async fn proposal_task(p2p: net::P2pPtr, state: ValidatorStatePtr) {
         };
 
         // Node waits until next epoch
-        let seconds_until_next_epoch = state.read().unwrap().next_epoch_start();
+        let seconds_until_next_epoch = state.read().await.next_epoch_start();
         info!("Waiting for next epoch({:?} sec)...", seconds_until_next_epoch);
         thread::sleep(seconds_until_next_epoch);
     }
@@ -491,7 +486,7 @@ impl JsonRpcInterface {
         let payload = String::from(args[0].as_str().unwrap());
         let tx = Tx { payload };
 
-        self.state.write().unwrap().append_tx(tx.clone());
+        self.state.write().await.append_tx(tx.clone());
 
         let result = self.p2p.broadcast(tx).await;
         match result {
diff --git a/script/research/validatord/src/protocols/protocol_participant.rs b/script/research/validatord/src/protocols/protocol_participant.rs
index 1d7adfd1b..92137e049 100644
--- a/script/research/validatord/src/protocols/protocol_participant.rs
+++ b/script/research/validatord/src/protocols/protocol_participant.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 use async_executor::Executor;
 use async_trait::async_trait;
 
-use darkfi::{
-    consensus::{participant::Participant, state::ValidatorStatePtr},
+use darkfi::{   
+    consensus::{participant::Participant, state::ValidatorStatePtr}, 
     net::{
         ChannelPtr, MessageSubscription, P2pPtr, ProtocolBase, ProtocolBasePtr,
         ProtocolJobsManager, ProtocolJobsManagerPtr,
diff --git a/src/consensus2/task/proposal.rs b/src/consensus2/task/proposal.rs
index f98c2d389..0614be0f1 100644
--- a/src/consensus2/task/proposal.rs
+++ b/src/consensus2/task/proposal.rs
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ pub async fn proposal_task(p2p: net::P2pPtr, state: ValidatorStatePtr) {
     // Node signals the network that it will start participating
     let participant = Participant::new(state.read().await.id, state.read().await.current_epoch());
     state.write().await.append_self_participant(participant.clone());
-    state.write().await.append_participant(participant.clone());
 
     match p2p.broadcast(participant).await {
         Ok(()) => info!("Consensus participation message broadcasted successfully."),