diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 190615fb26fb..e1f7572d0330 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ Ref: https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/
 * [\#9246](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9246) The `New` method for the network package now returns an error.
 * (codec) [\#9521](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9521) Removed deprecated `clientCtx.JSONCodec` from `client.Context`.
 * (codec) [\#9521](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9521) Rename `EncodingConfig.Marshaler` to `Codec`.
+* [\#9418](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9418) `sdk.Msg`'s  `GetSigners()` method updated to return `[]string`.
 * [\#9594](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9594) `RESTHandlerFn` argument is removed from the `gov/NewProposalHandler`.
 * [\#9594](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9594) `types/rest` package moved to `testutil/rest`.
 
diff --git a/baseapp/baseapp.go b/baseapp/baseapp.go
index 062a2bc8bf0a..ceb553dd7d62 100644
--- a/baseapp/baseapp.go
+++ b/baseapp/baseapp.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/store/rootmulti"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
 	sdkerrors "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/errors"
+	sdktx "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/tx"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/migrations/legacytx"
 )
 
@@ -508,7 +509,7 @@ func validateBasicTxMsgs(msgs []sdk.Msg) error {
 	}
 
 	for _, msg := range msgs {
-		err := msg.ValidateBasic()
+		err := sdktx.ValidateMsg(msg)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/baseapp/baseapp_test.go b/baseapp/baseapp_test.go
index 85d07661a3e0..4520b231d079 100644
--- a/baseapp/baseapp_test.go
+++ b/baseapp/baseapp_test.go
@@ -717,10 +717,10 @@ func (msg msgCounter) String() string { return "TODO" }
 func (msg msgCounter) ProtoMessage()  {}
 
 // Implements Msg
-func (msg msgCounter) Route() string                { return routeMsgCounter }
-func (msg msgCounter) Type() string                 { return "counter1" }
-func (msg msgCounter) GetSignBytes() []byte         { return nil }
-func (msg msgCounter) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress { return nil }
+func (msg msgCounter) Route() string        { return routeMsgCounter }
+func (msg msgCounter) Type() string         { return "counter1" }
+func (msg msgCounter) GetSignBytes() []byte { return nil }
+func (msg msgCounter) GetSigners() []string { return nil }
 func (msg msgCounter) ValidateBasic() error {
 	if msg.Counter >= 0 {
 		return nil
@@ -762,10 +762,10 @@ func (msg msgCounter2) String() string { return "TODO" }
 func (msg msgCounter2) ProtoMessage()  {}
 
 // Implements Msg
-func (msg msgCounter2) Route() string                { return routeMsgCounter2 }
-func (msg msgCounter2) Type() string                 { return "counter2" }
-func (msg msgCounter2) GetSignBytes() []byte         { return nil }
-func (msg msgCounter2) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress { return nil }
+func (msg msgCounter2) Route() string        { return routeMsgCounter2 }
+func (msg msgCounter2) Type() string         { return "counter2" }
+func (msg msgCounter2) GetSignBytes() []byte { return nil }
+func (msg msgCounter2) GetSigners() []string { return nil }
 func (msg msgCounter2) ValidateBasic() error {
 	if msg.Counter >= 0 {
 		return nil
@@ -779,13 +779,13 @@ type msgKeyValue struct {
 	Value []byte
 }
 
-func (msg msgKeyValue) Reset()                       {}
-func (msg msgKeyValue) String() string               { return "TODO" }
-func (msg msgKeyValue) ProtoMessage()                {}
-func (msg msgKeyValue) Route() string                { return routeMsgKeyValue }
-func (msg msgKeyValue) Type() string                 { return "keyValue" }
-func (msg msgKeyValue) GetSignBytes() []byte         { return nil }
-func (msg msgKeyValue) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress { return nil }
+func (msg msgKeyValue) Reset()               {}
+func (msg msgKeyValue) String() string       { return "TODO" }
+func (msg msgKeyValue) ProtoMessage()        {}
+func (msg msgKeyValue) Route() string        { return routeMsgKeyValue }
+func (msg msgKeyValue) Type() string         { return "keyValue" }
+func (msg msgKeyValue) GetSignBytes() []byte { return nil }
+func (msg msgKeyValue) GetSigners() []string { return nil }
 func (msg msgKeyValue) ValidateBasic() error {
 	if msg.Key == nil {
 		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidRequest, "key cannot be nil")
diff --git a/client/tx/tx.go b/client/tx/tx.go
index 4adaaa0e1c7b..b6dffd727a0b 100644
--- a/client/tx/tx.go
+++ b/client/tx/tx.go
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func GenerateOrBroadcastTxWithFactory(clientCtx client.Context, txf Factory, msg
 	// Right now, we're factorizing that call inside this function.
 	// ref: https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9236#discussion_r623803504
 	for _, msg := range msgs {
-		if err := msg.ValidateBasic(); err != nil {
+		if err := tx.ValidateMsg(msg); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/server/mock/tx.go b/server/mock/tx.go
index 0cb79c28986f..9bdadf46d0e9 100644
--- a/server/mock/tx.go
+++ b/server/mock/tx.go
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func (tx kvstoreTx) ValidateBasic() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (tx kvstoreTx) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+func (tx kvstoreTx) GetSigners() []string {
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/server/rosetta/converter.go b/server/rosetta/converter.go
index 4fdd87c75b67..54808821e247 100644
--- a/server/rosetta/converter.go
+++ b/server/rosetta/converter.go
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ func (c converter) Ops(status string, msg sdk.Msg) ([]*rosettatypes.Operation, e
 		op := &rosettatypes.Operation{
 			Type:     opName,
 			Status:   &status,
-			Account:  &rosettatypes.AccountIdentifier{Address: signer.String()},
+			Account:  &rosettatypes.AccountIdentifier{Address: signer},
 			Metadata: meta,
 		}
 
diff --git a/testutil/testdata/tx.go b/testutil/testdata/tx.go
index 653400ffb67c..d4d2a758ebfb 100644
--- a/testutil/testdata/tx.go
+++ b/testutil/testdata/tx.go
@@ -62,22 +62,12 @@ func (msg *TestMsg) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 	}
 	return sdk.MustSortJSON(bz)
 }
-func (msg *TestMsg) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	addrs := make([]sdk.AccAddress, len(msg.Signers))
-	for i, in := range msg.Signers {
-		addr, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(in)
-		if err != nil {
-			panic(err)
-		}
-
-		addrs[i] = addr
-	}
-
-	return addrs
+func (msg *TestMsg) GetSigners() []string {
+	return msg.Signers
 }
 func (msg *TestMsg) ValidateBasic() error { return nil }
 
 var _ sdk.Msg = &MsgCreateDog{}
 
-func (msg *MsgCreateDog) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress { return []sdk.AccAddress{} }
-func (msg *MsgCreateDog) ValidateBasic() error         { return nil }
+func (msg *MsgCreateDog) GetSigners() []string { return []string{} }
+func (msg *MsgCreateDog) ValidateBasic() error { return nil }
diff --git a/types/tx/types.go b/types/tx/types.go
index 84ce81edcbf8..2982a60b2bcf 100644
--- a/types/tx/types.go
+++ b/types/tx/types.go
@@ -101,9 +101,14 @@ func (t *Tx) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
 
 	for _, msg := range t.GetMsgs() {
 		for _, addr := range msg.GetSigners() {
-			if !seen[addr.String()] {
-				signers = append(signers, addr)
-				seen[addr.String()] = true
+			if !seen[addr] {
+				signer, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(addr)
+				if err != nil {
+					panic(err)
+				}
+
+				signers = append(signers, signer)
+				seen[addr] = true
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -202,3 +207,22 @@ func RegisterInterfaces(registry codectypes.InterfaceRegistry) {
 	registry.RegisterInterface("cosmos.tx.v1beta1.Tx", (*sdk.Tx)(nil))
 	registry.RegisterImplementations((*sdk.Tx)(nil), &Tx{})
 }
+
+// ValidateMsg calls the `sdk.Msg.ValidateBasic()`
+// also validates all the signers are valid bech32 addresses.
+func ValidateMsg(msg sdk.Msg) error {
+	err := msg.ValidateBasic()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	signers := msg.GetSigners()
+	for _, signer := range signers {
+		_, err = sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(signer)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/types/tx/types_test.go b/types/tx/types_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..c5f2660ce2ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/types/tx/types_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+package tx_test
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil/testdata"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/tx"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/suite"
+)
+
+type testMsgSuite struct {
+	suite.Suite
+}
+
+func TestValidateMsg(t *testing.T) {
+	suite.Run(t, new(testMsgSuite))
+}
+
+func (s *testMsgSuite) TestMsg() {
+	cases := []struct {
+		signer []byte
+		expErr bool
+	}{
+		{
+			[]byte(""),
+			true,
+		},
+		{
+			[]byte("validAddress"),
+			false,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, c := range cases {
+		msg := testdata.NewTestMsg(c.signer)
+		err := tx.ValidateMsg(msg)
+		if c.expErr {
+			s.Require().Error(err)
+		} else {
+			s.Require().NoError(err)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/types/tx_msg.go b/types/tx_msg.go
index 42d01fdc55ee..ae84b9e4fed6 100644
--- a/types/tx_msg.go
+++ b/types/tx_msg.go
@@ -15,10 +15,10 @@ type (
 		// doesn't require access to any other information.
 		ValidateBasic() error
 
-		// Signers returns the addrs of signers that must sign.
+		// Signers returns the bech32-encoded addrs of signers that must sign.
 		// CONTRACT: All signatures must be present to be valid.
 		// CONTRACT: Returns addrs in some deterministic order.
-		GetSigners() []AccAddress
+		GetSigners() []string
 	}
 
 	// Fee defines an interface for an application application-defined concrete
diff --git a/types/tx_msg_test.go b/types/tx_msg_test.go
index bf7763b02913..1fb0e387c1db 100644
--- a/types/tx_msg_test.go
+++ b/types/tx_msg_test.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ func (s *testMsgSuite) TestMsg() {
 
 	msg := testdata.NewTestMsg(accAddr)
 	s.Require().NotNil(msg)
-	s.Require().Equal([]sdk.AccAddress{accAddr}, msg.GetSigners())
+	s.Require().Equal([]string{accAddr.String()}, msg.GetSigners())
 	s.Require().Equal("TestMsg", msg.Route())
 	s.Require().Equal("Test message", msg.Type())
 	s.Require().Nil(msg.ValidateBasic())
diff --git a/x/auth/ante/basic.go b/x/auth/ante/basic.go
index 52c219f79e4d..d456b8b1b230 100644
--- a/x/auth/ante/basic.go
+++ b/x/auth/ante/basic.go
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ import (
 	authsigning "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/signing"
 )
 
-// ValidateBasicDecorator will call tx.ValidateBasic and return any non-nil error.
+// ValidateBasicDecorator will call tx.ValidateBasic, ValidateMsg(for each msg inside tx)
+// and return any non-nil error.
 // If ValidateBasic passes, decorator calls next AnteHandler in chain. Note,
 // ValidateBasicDecorator decorator will not get executed on ReCheckTx since it
 // is not dependent on application state.
diff --git a/x/auth/migrations/legacytx/stdtx.go b/x/auth/migrations/legacytx/stdtx.go
index 55ec38e603cc..d213fcac9c6b 100644
--- a/x/auth/migrations/legacytx/stdtx.go
+++ b/x/auth/migrations/legacytx/stdtx.go
@@ -143,9 +143,13 @@ func (tx StdTx) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
 
 	for _, msg := range tx.GetMsgs() {
 		for _, addr := range msg.GetSigners() {
-			if !seen[addr.String()] {
-				signers = append(signers, addr)
-				seen[addr.String()] = true
+			if !seen[addr] {
+				signer, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(addr)
+				if err != nil {
+					panic(err)
+				}
+				signers = append(signers, signer)
+				seen[addr] = true
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/x/auth/vesting/types/msgs.go b/x/auth/vesting/types/msgs.go
index 3308e0304881..51c85f0695e1 100644
--- a/x/auth/vesting/types/msgs.go
+++ b/x/auth/vesting/types/msgs.go
@@ -68,10 +68,6 @@ func (msg MsgCreateVestingAccount) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners returns the expected signers for a MsgCreateVestingAccount.
-func (msg MsgCreateVestingAccount) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	from, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.FromAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{from}
+func (msg MsgCreateVestingAccount) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.FromAddress}
 }
diff --git a/x/authz/keeper/keeper.go b/x/authz/keeper/keeper.go
index ce4e421c1259..1d71479f01c9 100644
--- a/x/authz/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/x/authz/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -79,7 +79,10 @@ func (k Keeper) DispatchActions(ctx sdk.Context, grantee sdk.AccAddress, msgs []
 		if len(signers) != 1 {
 			return nil, sdkerrors.ErrInvalidRequest.Wrap("authorization can be given to msg with only one signer")
 		}
-		granter := signers[0]
+		granter, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(signers[0])
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
 		// if granter != grantee then check authorization.Accept, otherwise we implicitly accept.
 		if !granter.Equals(grantee) {
 			authorization, _ := k.GetCleanAuthorization(ctx, grantee, granter, sdk.MsgTypeURL(msg))
diff --git a/x/authz/msgs.go b/x/authz/msgs.go
index 5a8a6032b5da..a2de4b618663 100644
--- a/x/authz/msgs.go
+++ b/x/authz/msgs.go
@@ -42,12 +42,8 @@ func NewMsgGrant(granter sdk.AccAddress, grantee sdk.AccAddress, a Authorization
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (msg MsgGrant) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	granter, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Granter)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{granter}
+func (msg MsgGrant) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.Granter}
 }
 
 // ValidateBasic implements Msg
@@ -130,12 +126,8 @@ func NewMsgRevoke(granter sdk.AccAddress, grantee sdk.AccAddress, msgTypeURL str
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (msg MsgRevoke) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	granter, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Granter)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{granter}
+func (msg MsgRevoke) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.Granter}
 }
 
 // ValidateBasic implements MsgRequest.ValidateBasic
@@ -209,12 +201,8 @@ func (msg MsgExec) GetMessages() ([]sdk.Msg, error) {
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (msg MsgExec) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	grantee, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Grantee)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{grantee}
+func (msg MsgExec) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.Grantee}
 }
 
 // ValidateBasic implements Msg
diff --git a/x/bank/types/msgs.go b/x/bank/types/msgs.go
index 22fdc30b3886..9a7d6fccedd8 100644
--- a/x/bank/types/msgs.go
+++ b/x/bank/types/msgs.go
@@ -54,12 +54,8 @@ func (msg MsgSend) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners Implements Msg.
-func (msg MsgSend) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	from, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.FromAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{from}
+func (msg MsgSend) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.FromAddress}
 }
 
 var _ sdk.Msg = &MsgMultiSend{}
@@ -96,11 +92,10 @@ func (msg MsgMultiSend) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners Implements Msg.
-func (msg MsgMultiSend) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	addrs := make([]sdk.AccAddress, len(msg.Inputs))
+func (msg MsgMultiSend) GetSigners() []string {
+	addrs := make([]string, len(msg.Inputs))
 	for i, in := range msg.Inputs {
-		addr, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(in.Address)
-		addrs[i] = addr
+		addrs[i] = in.Address
 	}
 
 	return addrs
diff --git a/x/bank/types/msgs_test.go b/x/bank/types/msgs_test.go
index 334d72c13243..0deaf09b2932 100644
--- a/x/bank/types/msgs_test.go
+++ b/x/bank/types/msgs_test.go
@@ -65,13 +65,6 @@ func TestMsgSendGetSignBytes(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, expected, string(res))
 }
 
-func TestMsgSendGetSigners(t *testing.T) {
-	var msg = NewMsgSend(sdk.AccAddress([]byte("input111111111111111")), sdk.AccAddress{}, sdk.NewCoins())
-	res := msg.GetSigners()
-	// TODO: fix this !
-	require.Equal(t, fmt.Sprintf("%v", res), "[696E707574313131313131313131313131313131]")
-}
-
 func TestMsgMultiSendRoute(t *testing.T) {
 	// Construct a MsgSend
 	addr1 := sdk.AccAddress([]byte("input"))
@@ -238,32 +231,22 @@ func TestMsgMultiSendGetSignBytes(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestMsgMultiSendGetSigners(t *testing.T) {
-	var msg = MsgMultiSend{
-		Inputs: []Input{
-			NewInput(sdk.AccAddress([]byte("input111111111111111")), nil),
-			NewInput(sdk.AccAddress([]byte("input222222222222222")), nil),
-			NewInput(sdk.AccAddress([]byte("input333333333333333")), nil),
-		},
+	addrs := make([]string, 3)
+	inputs := make([]Input, 3)
+	for i, v := range []string{"input111111111111111", "input222222222222222", "input333333333333333"} {
+		addr := sdk.AccAddress([]byte(v))
+		inputs[i] = NewInput(addr, nil)
+		addrs[i] = addr.String()
 	}
+	var msg = NewMsgMultiSend(inputs, nil)
 
 	res := msg.GetSigners()
-	// TODO: fix this !
-	require.Equal(t, "[696E707574313131313131313131313131313131 696E707574323232323232323232323232323232 696E707574333333333333333333333333333333]", fmt.Sprintf("%v", res))
+	require.Equal(t, fmt.Sprintf("%v", addrs), fmt.Sprintf("%v", res))
 }
 
-func TestMsgSendSigners(t *testing.T) {
-	signers := []sdk.AccAddress{
-		{1, 2, 3},
-		{4, 5, 6},
-		{7, 8, 9},
-	}
-
-	someCoins := sdk.NewCoins(sdk.NewInt64Coin("atom", 123))
-	inputs := make([]Input, len(signers))
-	for i, signer := range signers {
-		inputs[i] = NewInput(signer, someCoins)
-	}
-	tx := NewMsgMultiSend(inputs, nil)
-
-	require.Equal(t, signers, tx.GetSigners())
+func TestMsgSendGetSigners(t *testing.T) {
+	from := sdk.AccAddress([]byte("input111111111111111"))
+	msg := NewMsgSend(from, sdk.AccAddress{}, sdk.NewCoins())
+	res := msg.GetSigners()
+	require.Equal(t, fmt.Sprintf("%v", res), fmt.Sprintf("%v", []string{from.String()}))
 }
diff --git a/x/crisis/types/msgs.go b/x/crisis/types/msgs.go
index 6161a1d4b73e..f21fd5e500a0 100644
--- a/x/crisis/types/msgs.go
+++ b/x/crisis/types/msgs.go
@@ -21,9 +21,8 @@ func (msg MsgVerifyInvariant) Route() string { return ModuleName }
 func (msg MsgVerifyInvariant) Type() string  { return "verify_invariant" }
 
 // get the bytes for the message signer to sign on
-func (msg MsgVerifyInvariant) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	sender, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Sender)
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{sender}
+func (msg MsgVerifyInvariant) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.Sender}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes gets the sign bytes for the msg MsgVerifyInvariant
diff --git a/x/distribution/client/cli/tx.go b/x/distribution/client/cli/tx.go
index f65e6fd8a75e..2b77a55ecea6 100644
--- a/x/distribution/client/cli/tx.go
+++ b/x/distribution/client/cli/tx.go
@@ -110,12 +110,6 @@ $ %s tx distribution withdraw-rewards %s1gghjut3ccd8ay0zduzj64hwre2fxs9ldmqhffj
 				msgs = append(msgs, types.NewMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission(valAddr))
 			}
 
-			for _, msg := range msgs {
-				if err := msg.ValidateBasic(); err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
-			}
-
 			return tx.GenerateOrBroadcastTxCLI(clientCtx, cmd.Flags(), msgs...)
 		},
 	}
@@ -169,9 +163,6 @@ $ %s tx distribution withdraw-all-rewards --from mykey
 				}
 
 				msg := types.NewMsgWithdrawDelegatorReward(delAddr, val)
-				if err := msg.ValidateBasic(); err != nil {
-					return err
-				}
 				msgs = append(msgs, msg)
 			}
 
diff --git a/x/distribution/types/msg.go b/x/distribution/types/msg.go
index 09e9994c16a9..ad9c6afe8feb 100644
--- a/x/distribution/types/msg.go
+++ b/x/distribution/types/msg.go
@@ -27,12 +27,8 @@ func (msg MsgSetWithdrawAddress) Route() string { return ModuleName }
 func (msg MsgSetWithdrawAddress) Type() string  { return TypeMsgSetWithdrawAddress }
 
 // Return address that must sign over msg.GetSignBytes()
-func (msg MsgSetWithdrawAddress) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	delAddr, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{delAddr}
+func (msg MsgSetWithdrawAddress) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.DelegatorAddress}
 }
 
 // get the bytes for the message signer to sign on
@@ -64,12 +60,8 @@ func (msg MsgWithdrawDelegatorReward) Route() string { return ModuleName }
 func (msg MsgWithdrawDelegatorReward) Type() string  { return TypeMsgWithdrawDelegatorReward }
 
 // Return address that must sign over msg.GetSignBytes()
-func (msg MsgWithdrawDelegatorReward) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	delAddr, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{delAddr}
+func (msg MsgWithdrawDelegatorReward) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.DelegatorAddress}
 }
 
 // get the bytes for the message signer to sign on
@@ -99,12 +91,12 @@ func (msg MsgWithdrawValidatorCommission) Route() string { return ModuleName }
 func (msg MsgWithdrawValidatorCommission) Type() string  { return TypeMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission }
 
 // Return address that must sign over msg.GetSignBytes()
-func (msg MsgWithdrawValidatorCommission) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+func (msg MsgWithdrawValidatorCommission) GetSigners() []string {
 	valAddr, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress)
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{valAddr.Bytes()}
+	return []string{sdk.AccAddress(valAddr).String()}
 }
 
 // get the bytes for the message signer to sign on
@@ -138,12 +130,8 @@ func (msg MsgFundCommunityPool) Type() string { return TypeMsgFundCommunityPool
 
 // GetSigners returns the signer addresses that are expected to sign the result
 // of GetSignBytes.
-func (msg MsgFundCommunityPool) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	depoAddr, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Depositor)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{depoAddr}
+func (msg MsgFundCommunityPool) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.Depositor}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes returns the raw bytes for a MsgFundCommunityPool message that
diff --git a/x/evidence/types/msgs.go b/x/evidence/types/msgs.go
index cd2e2ba0321d..7581f6e09f76 100644
--- a/x/evidence/types/msgs.go
+++ b/x/evidence/types/msgs.go
@@ -66,13 +66,8 @@ func (m MsgSubmitEvidence) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners returns the single expected signer for a MsgSubmitEvidence.
-func (m MsgSubmitEvidence) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	accAddr, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(m.Submitter)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{accAddr}
+func (m MsgSubmitEvidence) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{m.Submitter}
 }
 
 func (m MsgSubmitEvidence) GetEvidence() exported.Evidence {
diff --git a/x/evidence/types/msgs_test.go b/x/evidence/types/msgs_test.go
index b591e7fc86ab..c0dcd224aebf 100644
--- a/x/evidence/types/msgs_test.go
+++ b/x/evidence/types/msgs_test.go
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ func TestMsgSubmitEvidence(t *testing.T) {
 		require.Equal(t, tc.expectErr, tc.msg.ValidateBasic() != nil, "unexpected result for tc #%d", i)
 
 		if !tc.expectErr {
-			require.Equal(t, tc.msg.GetSigners(), []sdk.AccAddress{tc.submitter}, "unexpected result for tc #%d", i)
+			require.Equal(t, tc.msg.GetSigners(), []string{tc.submitter.String()}, "unexpected result for tc #%d", i)
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/x/feegrant/msgs.go b/x/feegrant/msgs.go
index 7ab47bb5d2cb..72741a3db472 100644
--- a/x/feegrant/msgs.go
+++ b/x/feegrant/msgs.go
@@ -57,12 +57,8 @@ func (msg MsgGrantAllowance) ValidateBasic() error {
 }
 
 // GetSigners gets the granter account associated with an allowance
-func (msg MsgGrantAllowance) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	granter, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Granter)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{granter}
+func (msg MsgGrantAllowance) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.Granter}
 }
 
 // Type implements the LegacyMsg.Type method.
@@ -120,12 +116,8 @@ func (msg MsgRevokeAllowance) ValidateBasic() error {
 
 // GetSigners gets the granter address associated with an Allowance
 // to revoke.
-func (msg MsgRevokeAllowance) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	granter, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Granter)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{granter}
+func (msg MsgRevokeAllowance) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.Granter}
 }
 
 // Type implements the LegacyMsg.Type method.
diff --git a/x/feegrant/msgs_test.go b/x/feegrant/msgs_test.go
index c5eceb3b6bd3..2e7d8e654dd7 100644
--- a/x/feegrant/msgs_test.go
+++ b/x/feegrant/msgs_test.go
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func TestMsgGrantAllowance(t *testing.T) {
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 
 			addrSlice := msg.GetSigners()
-			require.Equal(t, tc.granter.String(), addrSlice[0].String())
+			require.Equal(t, tc.granter.String(), addrSlice[0])
 
 			allowance, err := msg.GetFeeAllowanceI()
 			require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ func TestMsgRevokeAllowance(t *testing.T) {
 		if tc.valid {
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 			addrSlice := msg.GetSigners()
-			require.Equal(t, tc.granter.String(), addrSlice[0].String())
+			require.Equal(t, tc.granter.String(), addrSlice[0])
 		} else {
 			require.Error(t, err)
 		}
diff --git a/x/genutil/client/testutil/suite.go b/x/genutil/client/testutil/suite.go
index bc226a2ab100..3a624f28eb38 100644
--- a/x/genutil/client/testutil/suite.go
+++ b/x/genutil/client/testutil/suite.go
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ func (s *IntegrationTestSuite) TestGenTxCmd() {
 	s.Require().Len(msgs, 1)
 
 	s.Require().Equal(sdk.MsgTypeURL(&types.MsgCreateValidator{}), sdk.MsgTypeURL(msgs[0]))
-	s.Require().Equal([]sdk.AccAddress{val.Address}, msgs[0].GetSigners())
+	s.Require().Equal([]string{val.Address.String()}, msgs[0].GetSigners())
 	s.Require().Equal(amount, msgs[0].(*types.MsgCreateValidator).Value)
 	err = tx.ValidateBasic()
 	s.Require().NoError(err)
diff --git a/x/gov/client/cli/tx.go b/x/gov/client/cli/tx.go
index 7e19b4838891..c20df19f6927 100644
--- a/x/gov/client/cli/tx.go
+++ b/x/gov/client/cli/tx.go
@@ -275,11 +275,6 @@ $ %s tx gov weighted-vote 1 yes=0.6,no=0.3,abstain=0.05,no_with_veto=0.05 --from
 
 			// Build vote message and run basic validation
 			msg := types.NewMsgVoteWeighted(from, proposalID, options)
-			err = msg.ValidateBasic()
-			if err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-
 			return tx.GenerateOrBroadcastTxCLI(clientCtx, cmd.Flags(), msg)
 		},
 	}
diff --git a/x/gov/types/msgs.go b/x/gov/types/msgs.go
index f1c351e6ddca..ba86026637c2 100644
--- a/x/gov/types/msgs.go
+++ b/x/gov/types/msgs.go
@@ -114,9 +114,8 @@ func (m MsgSubmitProposal) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (m MsgSubmitProposal) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	proposer, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(m.Proposer)
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{proposer}
+func (m MsgSubmitProposal) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{m.Proposer}
 }
 
 // String implements the Stringer interface
@@ -171,9 +170,8 @@ func (msg MsgDeposit) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (msg MsgDeposit) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	depositor, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Depositor)
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{depositor}
+func (msg MsgDeposit) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.Depositor}
 }
 
 // NewMsgVote creates a message to cast a vote on an active proposal
@@ -214,9 +212,8 @@ func (msg MsgVote) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (msg MsgVote) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	voter, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Voter)
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{voter}
+func (msg MsgVote) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.Voter}
 }
 
 // NewMsgVoteWeighted creates a message to cast a vote on an active proposal
@@ -278,7 +275,6 @@ func (msg MsgVoteWeighted) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (msg MsgVoteWeighted) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	voter, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Voter)
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{voter}
+func (msg MsgVoteWeighted) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.Voter}
 }
diff --git a/x/slashing/types/msg.go b/x/slashing/types/msg.go
index d86ff5eb7249..b24be89b97e5 100644
--- a/x/slashing/types/msg.go
+++ b/x/slashing/types/msg.go
@@ -22,12 +22,12 @@ func NewMsgUnjail(validatorAddr sdk.ValAddress) *MsgUnjail {
 
 func (msg MsgUnjail) Route() string { return RouterKey }
 func (msg MsgUnjail) Type() string  { return TypeMsgUnjail }
-func (msg MsgUnjail) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+func (msg MsgUnjail) GetSigners() []string {
 	valAddr, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddr)
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{valAddr.Bytes()}
+	return []string{sdk.AccAddress(valAddr).String()}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes gets the bytes for the message signer to sign on
diff --git a/x/staking/types/msg.go b/x/staking/types/msg.go
index af60ac370d24..5dc76ae2e7c5 100644
--- a/x/staking/types/msg.go
+++ b/x/staking/types/msg.go
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 package types
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
-
 	codectypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec/types"
 	cryptotypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/crypto/types"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
@@ -62,19 +60,17 @@ func (msg MsgCreateValidator) Type() string { return TypeMsgCreateValidator }
 // must sign over msg.GetSignBytes().
 // If the validator address is not same as delegator's, then the validator must
 // sign the msg as well.
-func (msg MsgCreateValidator) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+func (msg MsgCreateValidator) GetSigners() []string {
 	// delegator is first signer so delegator pays fees
-	delAddr, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	addrs := []sdk.AccAddress{delAddr}
-	addr, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress)
+	addrs := []string{msg.DelegatorAddress}
+	valAddr, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress)
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
-	if !bytes.Equal(delAddr.Bytes(), addr.Bytes()) {
-		addrs = append(addrs, sdk.AccAddress(addr))
+
+	valAccAddr := sdk.AccAddress(valAddr).String()
+	if msg.DelegatorAddress != valAccAddr {
+		addrs = append(addrs, valAccAddr)
 	}
 
 	return addrs
@@ -167,12 +163,12 @@ func (msg MsgEditValidator) Route() string { return RouterKey }
 func (msg MsgEditValidator) Type() string { return TypeMsgEditValidator }
 
 // GetSigners implements the sdk.Msg interface.
-func (msg MsgEditValidator) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+func (msg MsgEditValidator) GetSigners() []string {
 	valAddr, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress)
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{valAddr.Bytes()}
+	return []string{sdk.AccAddress(valAddr).String()}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes implements the sdk.Msg interface.
@@ -224,12 +220,8 @@ func (msg MsgDelegate) Route() string { return RouterKey }
 func (msg MsgDelegate) Type() string { return TypeMsgDelegate }
 
 // GetSigners implements the sdk.Msg interface.
-func (msg MsgDelegate) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	delAddr, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{delAddr}
+func (msg MsgDelegate) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.DelegatorAddress}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes implements the sdk.Msg interface.
@@ -278,12 +270,8 @@ func (msg MsgBeginRedelegate) Route() string { return RouterKey }
 func (msg MsgBeginRedelegate) Type() string { return TypeMsgBeginRedelegate }
 
 // GetSigners implements the sdk.Msg interface
-func (msg MsgBeginRedelegate) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	delAddr, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{delAddr}
+func (msg MsgBeginRedelegate) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.DelegatorAddress}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes implements the sdk.Msg interface.
@@ -333,12 +321,8 @@ func (msg MsgUndelegate) Route() string { return RouterKey }
 func (msg MsgUndelegate) Type() string { return TypeMsgUndelegate }
 
 // GetSigners implements the sdk.Msg interface.
-func (msg MsgUndelegate) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
-	delAddr, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []sdk.AccAddress{delAddr}
+func (msg MsgUndelegate) GetSigners() []string {
+	return []string{msg.DelegatorAddress}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes implements the sdk.Msg interface.