diff --git a/blockpool/blockpool.go b/blockpool/blockpool.go
index bc998cd7b6..c5af481a7b 100644
--- a/blockpool/blockpool.go
+++ b/blockpool/blockpool.go
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 package blockpool
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
 	"math/big"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/types"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/errs"
 	ethlogger "github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/logger"
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ func (self *Config) init() {
 // node is the basic unit of the internal model of block chain/tree in the blockpool
 type node struct {
 	lock    sync.RWMutex
-	hash    []byte
+	hash    common.Hash
 	block   *types.Block
 	hashBy  string
 	blockBy string
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ type BlockPool struct {
 	Config *Config
 
 	// the minimal interface with blockchain
-	hasBlock    func(hash []byte) bool
+	hasBlock    func(hash common.Hash) bool
 	insertChain func(types.Blocks) error
 	verifyPoW   func(pow.Block) bool
 
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ type BlockPool struct {
 	lock      sync.RWMutex
 	chainLock sync.RWMutex
 	// alloc-easy pool of hash slices
-	hashSlicePool chan [][]byte
+	hashSlicePool chan []common.Hash
 
 	status *status
 
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ type BlockPool struct {
 
 // public constructor
 func New(
-	hasBlock func(hash []byte) bool,
+	hasBlock func(hash common.Hash) bool,
 	insertChain func(types.Blocks) error,
 	verifyPoW func(pow.Block) bool,
 ) *BlockPool {
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ func (self *BlockPool) Start() {
 	}
 
 	self.Config.init()
-	self.hashSlicePool = make(chan [][]byte, 150)
+	self.hashSlicePool = make(chan []common.Hash, 150)
 	self.status = newStatus()
 	self.quit = make(chan bool)
 	self.pool = make(map[string]*entry)
@@ -261,14 +261,13 @@ Peer info is currently not persisted across disconnects (or sessions)
 */
 func (self *BlockPool) AddPeer(
 
-	td *big.Int, currentBlockHash []byte,
+	td *big.Int, currentBlockHash common.Hash,
 	peerId string,
-	requestBlockHashes func([]byte) error,
-	requestBlocks func([][]byte) error,
+	requestBlockHashes func(common.Hash) error,
+	requestBlocks func([]common.Hash) error,
 	peerError func(*errs.Error),
 
 ) (best bool) {
-
 	return self.peers.addPeer(td, currentBlockHash, peerId, requestBlockHashes, requestBlocks, peerError)
 }
 
@@ -289,7 +288,7 @@ launches all block request processes on each chain section
 
 the first argument is an iterator function. Using this block hashes are decoded from the rlp message payload on demand. As a result, AddBlockHashes needs to run synchronously for one peer since the message is discarded if the caller thread returns.
 */
-func (self *BlockPool) AddBlockHashes(next func() ([]byte, bool), peerId string) {
+func (self *BlockPool) AddBlockHashes(next func() (common.Hash, bool), peerId string) {
 
 	bestpeer, best := self.peers.getPeer(peerId)
 	if !best {
@@ -306,7 +305,7 @@ func (self *BlockPool) AddBlockHashes(next func() ([]byte, bool), peerId string)
 	self.status.lock.Unlock()
 
 	var n int
-	var hash []byte
+	var hash common.Hash
 	var ok, headSection, peerswitch bool
 	var sec, child, parent *section
 	var entry *entry
@@ -318,7 +317,7 @@ func (self *BlockPool) AddBlockHashes(next func() ([]byte, bool), peerId string)
 	plog.Debugf("AddBlockHashes: peer <%s> starting from [%s] (peer head: %s)", peerId, hex(bestpeer.parentHash), hex(bestpeer.currentBlockHash))
 
 	// first check if we are building the head section of a peer's chain
-	if bytes.Equal(bestpeer.parentHash, hash) {
+	if bestpeer.parentHash == hash {
 		if self.hasBlock(bestpeer.currentBlockHash) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -561,7 +560,7 @@ func (self *BlockPool) AddBlock(block *types.Block, peerId string) {
 	entry := self.get(hash)
 
 	// a peer's current head block is appearing the first time
-	if bytes.Equal(hash, sender.currentBlockHash) {
+	if hash == sender.currentBlockHash {
 		if sender.currentBlock == nil {
 			plog.Debugf("AddBlock: add head block %s for peer <%s> (head: %s)", hex(hash), peerId, hex(sender.currentBlockHash))
 			sender.setChainInfoFromBlock(block)
@@ -664,7 +663,7 @@ LOOP:
 		plog.DebugDetailf("activateChain: section [%s] activated by peer <%s>", sectionhex(sec), p.id)
 		sec.activate(p)
 		if i > 0 && connected != nil {
-			connected[string(sec.top.hash)] = sec
+			connected[sec.top.hash.Str()] = sec
 		}
 		/*
 		  we need to relink both complete and incomplete sections
@@ -696,7 +695,7 @@ LOOP:
 
 // must run in separate go routine, otherwise
 // switchpeer -> activateChain -> activate deadlocks on section process select and peers.lock
-func (self *BlockPool) requestBlocks(attempts int, hashes [][]byte) {
+func (self *BlockPool) requestBlocks(attempts int, hashes []common.Hash) {
 	self.wg.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		self.peers.requestBlocks(attempts, hashes)
@@ -718,16 +717,16 @@ func (self *BlockPool) getChild(sec *section) *section {
 }
 
 // accessor and setter for entries in the pool
-func (self *BlockPool) get(hash []byte) *entry {
+func (self *BlockPool) get(hash common.Hash) *entry {
 	self.lock.RLock()
 	defer self.lock.RUnlock()
-	return self.pool[string(hash)]
+	return self.pool[hash.Str()]
 }
 
-func (self *BlockPool) set(hash []byte, e *entry) {
+func (self *BlockPool) set(hash common.Hash, e *entry) {
 	self.lock.Lock()
 	defer self.lock.Unlock()
-	self.pool[string(hash)] = e
+	self.pool[hash.Str()] = e
 }
 
 func (self *BlockPool) remove(sec *section) {
@@ -736,7 +735,7 @@ func (self *BlockPool) remove(sec *section) {
 	defer self.lock.Unlock()
 
 	for _, node := range sec.nodes {
-		delete(self.pool, string(node.hash))
+		delete(self.pool, node.hash.Str())
 	}
 	if sec.initialised && sec.poolRootIndex != 0 {
 		self.status.lock.Lock()
@@ -745,17 +744,17 @@ func (self *BlockPool) remove(sec *section) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (self *BlockPool) getHashSlice() (s [][]byte) {
+func (self *BlockPool) getHashSlice() (s []common.Hash) {
 	select {
 	case s = <-self.hashSlicePool:
 	default:
-		s = make([][]byte, self.Config.BlockBatchSize)
+		s = make([]common.Hash, self.Config.BlockBatchSize)
 	}
 	return
 }
 
 // Return returns a Client to the pool.
-func (self *BlockPool) putHashSlice(s [][]byte) {
+func (self *BlockPool) putHashSlice(s []common.Hash) {
 	if len(s) == self.Config.BlockBatchSize {
 		select {
 		case self.hashSlicePool <- s:
@@ -765,8 +764,8 @@ func (self *BlockPool) putHashSlice(s [][]byte) {
 }
 
 // pretty prints hash (byte array) with first 4 bytes in hex
-func hex(hash []byte) (name string) {
-	if hash == nil {
+func hex(hash common.Hash) (name string) {
+	if (hash == common.Hash{}) {
 		name = ""
 	} else {
 		name = fmt.Sprintf("%x", hash[:4])
diff --git a/blockpool/peers.go b/blockpool/peers.go
index 5f4889792a..d94d6ac468 100644
--- a/blockpool/peers.go
+++ b/blockpool/peers.go
@@ -1,16 +1,15 @@
 package blockpool
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
 	"math/big"
 	"math/rand"
 	"sort"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/types"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/errs"
-	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
 )
 
 type peer struct {
@@ -18,20 +17,20 @@ type peer struct {
 
 	// last known blockchain status
 	td               *big.Int
-	currentBlockHash []byte
+	currentBlockHash common.Hash
 	currentBlock     *types.Block
-	parentHash       []byte
+	parentHash       common.Hash
 	headSection      *section
 
 	id string
 
 	// peer callbacks
-	requestBlockHashes func([]byte) error
-	requestBlocks      func([][]byte) error
+	requestBlockHashes func(common.Hash) error
+	requestBlocks      func([]common.Hash) error
 	peerError          func(*errs.Error)
 	errors             *errs.Errors
 
-	sections [][]byte
+	sections []common.Hash
 
 	// channels to push new head block and head section for peer a
 	currentBlockC chan *types.Block
@@ -66,10 +65,10 @@ type peers struct {
 // peer constructor
 func (self *peers) newPeer(
 	td *big.Int,
-	currentBlockHash []byte,
+	currentBlockHash common.Hash,
 	id string,
-	requestBlockHashes func([]byte) error,
-	requestBlocks func([][]byte) error,
+	requestBlockHashes func(common.Hash) error,
+	requestBlocks func([]common.Hash) error,
 	peerError func(*errs.Error),
 ) (p *peer) {
 
@@ -107,7 +106,7 @@ func (self *peer) addError(code int, format string, params ...interface{}) {
 	self.peerError(err)
 }
 
-func (self *peer) setChainInfo(td *big.Int, c []byte) {
+func (self *peer) setChainInfo(td *big.Int, c common.Hash) {
 	self.lock.Lock()
 	defer self.lock.Unlock()
 
@@ -115,7 +114,7 @@ func (self *peer) setChainInfo(td *big.Int, c []byte) {
 	self.currentBlockHash = c
 
 	self.currentBlock = nil
-	self.parentHash = nil
+	self.parentHash = common.Hash{}
 	self.headSection = nil
 }
 
@@ -139,7 +138,7 @@ func (self *peer) setChainInfoFromBlock(block *types.Block) {
 	}()
 }
 
-func (self *peers) requestBlocks(attempts int, hashes [][]byte) {
+func (self *peers) requestBlocks(attempts int, hashes []common.Hash) {
 	// distribute block request among known peers
 	self.lock.RLock()
 	defer self.lock.RUnlock()
@@ -178,18 +177,18 @@ func (self *peers) requestBlocks(attempts int, hashes [][]byte) {
 // returns true iff peer is promoted as best peer in the pool
 func (self *peers) addPeer(
 	td *big.Int,
-	currentBlockHash []byte,
+	currentBlockHash common.Hash,
 	id string,
-	requestBlockHashes func([]byte) error,
-	requestBlocks func([][]byte) error,
+	requestBlockHashes func(common.Hash) error,
+	requestBlocks func([]common.Hash) error,
 	peerError func(*errs.Error),
 ) (best bool) {
 
-	var previousBlockHash []byte
+	var previousBlockHash common.Hash
 	self.lock.Lock()
 	p, found := self.peers[id]
 	if found {
-		if !bytes.Equal(p.currentBlockHash, currentBlockHash) {
+		if p.currentBlockHash != currentBlockHash {
 			previousBlockHash = p.currentBlockHash
 			plog.Debugf("addPeer: Update peer <%s> with td %v and current block %s (was %v)", id, td, hex(currentBlockHash), hex(previousBlockHash))
 			p.setChainInfo(td, currentBlockHash)
@@ -221,7 +220,7 @@ func (self *peers) addPeer(
 		// new block update for active current best peer -> request hashes
 		plog.Debugf("addPeer: <%s> already the best peer. Request new head section info from %s", id, hex(currentBlockHash))
 
-		if previousBlockHash != nil {
+		if (previousBlockHash != common.Hash{}) {
 			if entry := self.bp.get(previousBlockHash); entry != nil {
 				p.headSectionC <- nil
 				self.bp.activateChain(entry.section, p, nil)
@@ -318,15 +317,15 @@ func (self *BlockPool) switchPeer(oldp, newp *peer) {
 		}
 
 		var connected = make(map[string]*section)
-		var sections [][]byte
+		var sections []common.Hash
 		for _, hash := range newp.sections {
 			plog.DebugDetailf("activate chain starting from section [%s]", hex(hash))
 			// if section not connected (ie, top of a contiguous sequence of sections)
-			if connected[string(hash)] == nil {
+			if connected[hash.Str()] == nil {
 				// if not deleted, then reread from pool (it can be orphaned top half of a split section)
 				if entry := self.get(hash); entry != nil {
 					self.activateChain(entry.section, newp, connected)
-					connected[string(hash)] = entry.section
+					connected[hash.Str()] = entry.section
 					sections = append(sections, hash)
 				}
 			}
@@ -396,7 +395,7 @@ func (self *peer) getCurrentBlock(currentBlock *types.Block) {
 			plog.DebugDetailf("HeadSection: <%s> head block %s found in blockpool", self.id, hex(self.currentBlockHash))
 		} else {
 			plog.DebugDetailf("HeadSection: <%s> head block %s not found... requesting it", self.id, hex(self.currentBlockHash))
-			self.requestBlocks([][]byte{self.currentBlockHash})
+			self.requestBlocks([]common.Hash{self.currentBlockHash})
 			self.blocksRequestTimer = time.After(self.bp.Config.BlocksRequestInterval)
 			return
 		}
@@ -427,9 +426,9 @@ func (self *peer) getBlockHashes() {
 			self.addError(ErrInvalidBlock, "%v", err)
 			self.bp.status.badPeers[self.id]++
 		} else {
-			headKey := string(self.parentHash)
+			headKey := self.parentHash.Str()
 			height := self.bp.status.chain[headKey] + 1
-			self.bp.status.chain[string(self.currentBlockHash)] = height
+			self.bp.status.chain[self.currentBlockHash.Str()] = height
 			if height > self.bp.status.values.LongestChain {
 				self.bp.status.values.LongestChain = height
 			}
diff --git a/blockpool/section.go b/blockpool/section.go
index 03c4f5cc65..c73aaa6dfd 100644
--- a/blockpool/section.go
+++ b/blockpool/section.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/types"
 )
 
@@ -27,9 +28,9 @@ type section struct {
 	nodes  []*node
 
 	peer       *peer
-	parentHash []byte
+	parentHash common.Hash
 
-	blockHashes [][]byte
+	blockHashes []common.Hash
 
 	poolRootIndex int
 
@@ -115,7 +116,7 @@ func (self *section) addSectionToBlockChain(p *peer) {
 				break
 			}
 			self.poolRootIndex--
-			keys = append(keys, string(node.hash))
+			keys = append(keys, node.hash.Str())
 			blocks = append(blocks, block)
 		}
 
@@ -166,9 +167,9 @@ func (self *section) addSectionToBlockChain(p *peer) {
 
 		self.bp.status.lock.Lock()
 		if err == nil {
-			headKey := string(blocks[0].ParentHash())
+			headKey := blocks[0].ParentHash().Str()
 			height := self.bp.status.chain[headKey] + len(blocks)
-			self.bp.status.chain[string(blocks[len(blocks)-1].Hash())] = height
+			self.bp.status.chain[blocks[len(blocks)-1].Hash().Str()] = height
 			if height > self.bp.status.values.LongestChain {
 				self.bp.status.values.LongestChain = height
 			}
@@ -316,7 +317,7 @@ LOOP:
 						self.addSectionToBlockChain(self.peer)
 					}
 				} else {
-					if self.parentHash == nil && n == self.bottom {
+					if (self.parentHash == common.Hash{}) && n == self.bottom {
 						self.parentHash = block.ParentHash()
 						plog.DebugDetailf("[%s] got parent head block hash %s...checking", sectionhex(self), hex(self.parentHash))
 						self.blockHashesRequest()
@@ -456,7 +457,7 @@ func (self *section) blockHashesRequest() {
 			// a demoted peer's fork will be chosen over the best peer's chain
 			// because relinking the correct chain (activateChain) is overwritten here in
 			// demoted peer's section process just before the section is put to idle mode
-			if self.parentHash != nil {
+			if (self.parentHash != common.Hash{}) {
 				if parent := self.bp.get(self.parentHash); parent != nil {
 					parentSection = parent.section
 					plog.DebugDetailf("[%s] blockHashesRequest: parent section [%s] linked\n", sectionhex(self), sectionhex(parentSection))
diff --git a/common/types.go b/common/types.go
index 267077f4fa..9729378e8c 100644
--- a/common/types.go
+++ b/common/types.go
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ func BytesToHash(b []byte) Hash {
 }
 func StringToHash(s string) Hash { return BytesToHash([]byte(s)) }
 func BigToHash(b *big.Int) Hash  { return BytesToHash(b.Bytes()) }
+func HexToHash(s string) Hash    { return BytesToHash(FromHex(s)) }
 
 // Don't use the default 'String' method in case we want to overwrite
 
@@ -62,11 +63,13 @@ func BytesToAddress(b []byte) Address {
 }
 func StringToAddress(s string) Address { return BytesToAddress([]byte(s)) }
 func BigToAddress(b *big.Int) Address  { return BytesToAddress(b.Bytes()) }
+func HexToAddress(s string) Address    { return BytesToAddress(FromHex(s)) }
 
 // Get the string representation of the underlying address
 func (a Address) Str() string   { return string(a[:]) }
 func (a Address) Bytes() []byte { return a[:] }
 func (a Address) Big() *big.Int { return Bytes2Big(a[:]) }
+func (a Address) Hash() Hash    { return BytesToHash(a[:]) }
 
 // Sets the address to the value of b. If b is larger than len(a) it will panic
 func (a *Address) SetBytes(b []byte) {
diff --git a/core/types/block.go b/core/types/block.go
index 80fc238aa4..aca23aa042 100644
--- a/core/types/block.go
+++ b/core/types/block.go
@@ -106,14 +106,14 @@ func NewBlock(parentHash common.Hash, coinbase common.Address, root common.Hash,
 		GasUsed:    new(big.Int),
 		GasLimit:   new(big.Int),
 	}
-	header.setNonce(nonce)
+	header.SetNonce(nonce)
 
 	block := &Block{header: header, Reward: new(big.Int)}
 
 	return block
 }
 
-func (self *Header) setNonce(nonce uint64) {
+func (self *Header) SetNonce(nonce uint64) {
 	binary.BigEndian.PutUint64(self.Nonce[:], nonce)
 }
 
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ func (self *Block) Nonce() uint64 {
 	return binary.BigEndian.Uint64(self.header.Nonce[:])
 }
 func (self *Block) SetNonce(nonce uint64) {
-	self.header.setNonce(nonce)
+	self.header.SetNonce(nonce)
 }
 
 func (self *Block) Bloom() Bloom             { return self.header.Bloom }
diff --git a/core/types/bloom9.go b/core/types/bloom9.go
index e5b5e395f8..b3cab86a0b 100644
--- a/core/types/bloom9.go
+++ b/core/types/bloom9.go
@@ -20,15 +20,15 @@ func CreateBloom(receipts Receipts) Bloom {
 func LogsBloom(logs state.Logs) *big.Int {
 	bin := new(big.Int)
 	for _, log := range logs {
-		data := make([][]byte, len(log.Topics())+1)
-		data[0] = log.Address()
+		data := make([]common.Hash, len(log.Topics())+1)
+		data[0] = log.Address().Hash()
 
 		for i, topic := range log.Topics() {
 			data[i+1] = topic
 		}
 
 		for _, b := range data {
-			bin.Or(bin, common.BigD(bloom9(crypto.Sha3(b)).Bytes()))
+			bin.Or(bin, common.BigD(bloom9(crypto.Sha3(b[:])).Bytes()))
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/core/types/receipt.go b/core/types/receipt.go
index be14d0e0e3..d0cb41e254 100644
--- a/core/types/receipt.go
+++ b/core/types/receipt.go
@@ -3,9 +3,11 @@ package types
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"math/big"
 
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/rlp"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/state"
 )
 
@@ -20,34 +22,26 @@ func NewReceipt(root []byte, cumalativeGasUsed *big.Int) *Receipt {
 	return &Receipt{PostState: common.CopyBytes(root), CumulativeGasUsed: new(big.Int).Set(cumalativeGasUsed)}
 }
 
-func NewRecieptFromValue(val *common.Value) *Receipt {
-	r := &Receipt{}
-	r.RlpValueDecode(val)
-
-	return r
-}
-
 func (self *Receipt) SetLogs(logs state.Logs) {
 	self.logs = logs
 }
 
-func (self *Receipt) RlpValueDecode(decoder *common.Value) {
-	self.PostState = decoder.Get(0).Bytes()
-	self.CumulativeGasUsed = decoder.Get(1).BigInt()
-	self.Bloom = decoder.Get(2).Bytes()
-
-	it := decoder.Get(3).NewIterator()
-	for it.Next() {
-		self.logs = append(self.logs, state.NewLogFromValue(it.Value()))
-	}
+func (self *Receipt) EncodeRLP(w io.Writer) error {
+	return rlp.Encode(w, []interface{}{self.PostState, self.CumulativeGasUsed, self.Bloom, self.logs})
 }
 
+/*
 func (self *Receipt) RlpData() interface{} {
 	return []interface{}{self.PostState, self.CumulativeGasUsed, self.Bloom, self.logs.RlpData()}
 }
+*/
 
 func (self *Receipt) RlpEncode() []byte {
-	return common.Encode(self.RlpData())
+	bytes, err := rlp.EncodeToBytes(self)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println("TMP -- RECEIPT ENCODE ERROR", err)
+	}
+	return bytes
 }
 
 func (self *Receipt) Cmp(other *Receipt) bool {
@@ -64,6 +58,7 @@ func (self *Receipt) String() string {
 
 type Receipts []*Receipt
 
+/*
 func (self Receipts) RlpData() interface{} {
 	data := make([]interface{}, len(self))
 	for i, receipt := range self {
@@ -72,9 +67,14 @@ func (self Receipts) RlpData() interface{} {
 
 	return data
 }
+*/
 
 func (self Receipts) RlpEncode() []byte {
-	return common.Encode(self.RlpData())
+	bytes, err := rlp.EncodeToBytes(self)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Println("TMP -- RECEIPTS ENCODE ERROR", err)
+	}
+	return bytes
 }
 
 func (self Receipts) Len() int            { return len(self) }
diff --git a/state/log.go b/state/log.go
index 8b8bf22040..f8aa4c08c9 100644
--- a/state/log.go
+++ b/state/log.go
@@ -2,15 +2,15 @@ package state
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/rlp"
 )
 
 type Log interface {
-	common.RlpEncodable
-
 	Address() common.Address
-	Topics() [][]byte
+	Topics() []common.Hash
 	Data() []byte
 
 	Number() uint64
@@ -18,12 +18,12 @@ type Log interface {
 
 type StateLog struct {
 	address common.Address
-	topics  [][]byte
+	topics  []common.Hash
 	data    []byte
 	number  uint64
 }
 
-func NewLog(address common.Address, topics [][]byte, data []byte, number uint64) *StateLog {
+func NewLog(address common.Address, topics []common.Hash, data []byte, number uint64) *StateLog {
 	return &StateLog{address, topics, data, number}
 }
 
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ func (self *StateLog) Address() common.Address {
 	return self.address
 }
 
-func (self *StateLog) Topics() [][]byte {
+func (self *StateLog) Topics() []common.Hash {
 	return self.topics
 }
 
@@ -63,9 +63,15 @@ func NewLogFromValue(decoder *common.Value) *StateLog {
 }
 */
 
+func (self *StateLog) EncodeRLP(w io.Writer) error {
+	return rlp.Encode(w, []interface{}{self.address, self.topics, self.data})
+}
+
+/*
 func (self *StateLog) RlpData() interface{} {
 	return []interface{}{self.address, common.ByteSliceToInterface(self.topics), self.data}
 }
+*/
 
 func (self *StateLog) String() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf(`log: %x %x %x`, self.address, self.topics, self.data)
@@ -73,6 +79,7 @@ func (self *StateLog) String() string {
 
 type Logs []Log
 
+/*
 func (self Logs) RlpData() interface{} {
 	data := make([]interface{}, len(self))
 	for i, log := range self {
@@ -81,6 +88,7 @@ func (self Logs) RlpData() interface{} {
 
 	return data
 }
+*/
 
 func (self Logs) String() (ret string) {
 	for _, log := range self {
diff --git a/tests/blocktest.go b/tests/blocktest.go
index 0b923f08b3..e4d0010896 100644
--- a/tests/blocktest.go
+++ b/tests/blocktest.go
@@ -12,8 +12,9 @@ import (
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 
-	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/types"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/types"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/rlp"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/state"
 )
@@ -101,12 +102,12 @@ func (t *BlockTest) InsertPreState(db common.Database) error {
 	statedb := state.New(nil, db)
 	for addrString, acct := range t.preAccounts {
 		// XXX: is is worth it checking for errors here?
-		addr, _ := hex.DecodeString(addrString)
+		//addr, _ := hex.DecodeString(addrString)
 		code, _ := hex.DecodeString(strings.TrimPrefix(acct.Code, "0x"))
 		balance, _ := new(big.Int).SetString(acct.Balance, 0)
 		nonce, _ := strconv.ParseUint(acct.Nonce, 16, 64)
 
-		obj := statedb.NewStateObject(addr)
+		obj := statedb.NewStateObject(common.HexToAddress(addrString))
 		obj.SetCode(code)
 		obj.SetBalance(balance)
 		obj.SetNonce(nonce)
@@ -119,7 +120,7 @@ func (t *BlockTest) InsertPreState(db common.Database) error {
 	// sync trie to disk
 	statedb.Sync()
 
-	if !bytes.Equal(t.Genesis.Root(), statedb.Root()) {
+	if !bytes.Equal(t.Genesis.Root().Bytes(), statedb.Root()) {
 		return errors.New("computed state root does not match genesis block")
 	}
 	return nil
@@ -153,23 +154,25 @@ func mustConvertGenesis(testGenesis btHeader) *types.Block {
 
 func mustConvertHeader(in btHeader) *types.Header {
 	// hex decode these fields
-	return &types.Header{
+	header := &types.Header{
 		//SeedHash:    mustConvertBytes(in.SeedHash),
-		MixDigest:   mustConvertBytes(in.MixHash),
-		Bloom:       mustConvertBytes(in.Bloom),
-		ReceiptHash: mustConvertBytes(in.ReceiptTrie),
-		TxHash:      mustConvertBytes(in.TransactionsTrie),
-		Root:        mustConvertBytes(in.StateRoot),
-		Coinbase:    mustConvertBytes(in.Coinbase),
-		UncleHash:   mustConvertBytes(in.UncleHash),
-		ParentHash:  mustConvertBytes(in.ParentHash),
-		Nonce:       mustConvertBytes(in.Nonce),
+		MixDigest:   mustConvertHash(in.MixHash),
+		Bloom:       mustConvertBloom(in.Bloom),
+		ReceiptHash: mustConvertHash(in.ReceiptTrie),
+		TxHash:      mustConvertHash(in.TransactionsTrie),
+		Root:        mustConvertHash(in.StateRoot),
+		Coinbase:    mustConvertAddress(in.Coinbase),
+		UncleHash:   mustConvertHash(in.UncleHash),
+		ParentHash:  mustConvertHash(in.ParentHash),
 		Extra:       string(mustConvertBytes(in.ExtraData)),
 		GasUsed:     mustConvertBigInt10(in.GasUsed),
 		GasLimit:    mustConvertBigInt10(in.GasLimit),
 		Difficulty:  mustConvertBigInt10(in.Difficulty),
 		Time:        mustConvertUint(in.Timestamp),
 	}
+	// XXX cheats? :-)
+	header.SetNonce(common.BytesToHash(mustConvertBytes(in.Nonce)).Big().Uint64())
+	return header
 }
 
 func mustConvertBlocks(testBlocks []btBlock) []*types.Block {
@@ -193,6 +196,30 @@ func mustConvertBytes(in string) []byte {
 	return out
 }
 
+func mustConvertHash(in string) common.Hash {
+	out, err := hex.DecodeString(strings.TrimPrefix(in, "0x"))
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("invalid hex: %q", in))
+	}
+	return common.BytesToHash(out)
+}
+
+func mustConvertAddress(in string) common.Address {
+	out, err := hex.DecodeString(strings.TrimPrefix(in, "0x"))
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("invalid hex: %q", in))
+	}
+	return common.BytesToAddress(out)
+}
+
+func mustConvertBloom(in string) core.Bloom {
+	out, err := hex.DecodeString(strings.TrimPrefix(in, "0x"))
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("invalid hex: %q", in))
+	}
+	return core.BytesToBloom(out)
+}
+
 func mustConvertBigInt10(in string) *big.Int {
 	out, ok := new(big.Int).SetString(in, 10)
 	if !ok {
diff --git a/vm/environment.go b/vm/environment.go
index a53411b237..9de2fd80a2 100644
--- a/vm/environment.go
+++ b/vm/environment.go
@@ -3,9 +3,11 @@ package vm
 import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"math/big"
 
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/rlp"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/state"
 )
 
@@ -54,7 +56,7 @@ func Transfer(from, to Account, amount *big.Int) error {
 
 type Log struct {
 	address common.Address
-	topics  [][]byte
+	topics  []common.Hash
 	data    []byte
 	log     uint64
 }
@@ -63,7 +65,7 @@ func (self *Log) Address() common.Address {
 	return self.address
 }
 
-func (self *Log) Topics() [][]byte {
+func (self *Log) Topics() []common.Hash {
 	return self.topics
 }
 
@@ -75,9 +77,15 @@ func (self *Log) Number() uint64 {
 	return self.log
 }
 
+func (self *Log) EncodeRLP(w io.Writer) error {
+	return rlp.Encode(w, []interface{}{self.address, self.topics, self.data})
+}
+
+/*
 func (self *Log) RlpData() interface{} {
 	return []interface{}{self.address, common.ByteSliceToInterface(self.topics), self.data}
 }
+*/
 
 func (self *Log) String() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("[A=%x T=%x D=%x]", self.address, self.topics, self.data)
diff --git a/vm/vm.go b/vm/vm.go
index 4ef888e36f..796a55ad3f 100644
--- a/vm/vm.go
+++ b/vm/vm.go
@@ -560,10 +560,10 @@ func (self *Vm) Run(context *Context, callData []byte) (ret []byte, err error) {
 			self.Printf(" => [%d]", n)
 		case LOG0, LOG1, LOG2, LOG3, LOG4:
 			n := int(op - LOG0)
-			topics := make([][]byte, n)
+			topics := make([]common.Hash, n)
 			mStart, mSize := stack.pop(), stack.pop()
 			for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
-				topics[i] = common.LeftPadBytes(stack.pop().Bytes(), 32)
+				topics[i] = common.BigToHash(stack.pop()) //common.LeftPadBytes(stack.pop().Bytes(), 32)
 			}
 
 			data := mem.Get(mStart.Int64(), mSize.Int64())