diff --git a/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/conn.go b/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/conn.go
index 757b137aa1..b3d0c7afa6 100644
--- a/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/conn.go
+++ b/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/conn.go
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ func (c *Conn) ReadEth() (any, error) {
 		case eth.TransactionsMsg:
 			msg = new(eth.TransactionsPacket)
 		case eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesMsg:
-			msg = new(eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket)
+			msg = new(eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68)
 		case eth.GetPooledTransactionsMsg:
 			msg = new(eth.GetPooledTransactionsPacket)
 		case eth.PooledTransactionsMsg:
diff --git a/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/suite.go b/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/suite.go
index 1a8f6ab624..d51bf1e7be 100644
--- a/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/suite.go
+++ b/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/suite.go
@@ -734,7 +734,7 @@ the transactions using a GetPooledTransactions request.`)
 	}
 
 	// Send announcement.
-	ann := eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket{Types: txTypes, Sizes: sizes, Hashes: hashes}
+	ann := eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68{Types: txTypes, Sizes: sizes, Hashes: hashes}
 	err = conn.Write(ethProto, eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesMsg, ann)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to write to connection: %v", err)
@@ -753,7 +753,7 @@ the transactions using a GetPooledTransactions request.`)
 			}
 
 			return
-		case *eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket:
+		case *eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68:
 			continue
 		case *eth.TransactionsPacket:
 			continue
@@ -823,12 +823,12 @@ func (s *Suite) TestBlobViolations(t *utesting.T) {
 		t2 = s.makeBlobTxs(2, 3, 0x2)
 	)
 	for _, test := range []struct {
-		ann  eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket
+		ann  eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68
 		resp eth.PooledTransactionsResponse
 	}{
 		// Invalid tx size.
 		{
-			ann: eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket{
+			ann: eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68{
 				Types:  []byte{types.BlobTxType, types.BlobTxType},
 				Sizes:  []uint32{uint32(t1[0].Size()), uint32(t1[1].Size() + 10)},
 				Hashes: []common.Hash{t1[0].Hash(), t1[1].Hash()},
@@ -837,7 +837,7 @@ func (s *Suite) TestBlobViolations(t *utesting.T) {
 		},
 		// Wrong tx type.
 		{
-			ann: eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket{
+			ann: eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68{
 				Types:  []byte{types.DynamicFeeTxType, types.BlobTxType},
 				Sizes:  []uint32{uint32(t2[0].Size()), uint32(t2[1].Size())},
 				Hashes: []common.Hash{t2[0].Hash(), t2[1].Hash()},
diff --git a/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/transaction.go b/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/transaction.go
index 4fff50864e..295b29d66a 100644
--- a/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/transaction.go
+++ b/cmd/devp2p/internal/ethtest/transaction.go
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func (s *Suite) sendTxs(t *utesting.T, txs []*types.Transaction) error {
 			for _, tx := range *msg {
 				got[tx.Hash()] = true
 			}
-		case *eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket:
+		case *eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68:
 			for _, hash := range msg.Hashes {
 				got[hash] = true
 			}
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ func (s *Suite) sendInvalidTxs(t *utesting.T, txs []*types.Transaction) error {
 					return fmt.Errorf("received bad tx: %s", tx.Hash())
 				}
 			}
-		case *eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket:
+		case *eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68:
 			for _, hash := range msg.Hashes {
 				if _, ok := invalids[hash]; ok {
 					return fmt.Errorf("received bad tx: %s", hash)
diff --git a/eth/downloader/bor_downloader_test.go b/eth/downloader/bor_downloader_test.go
index 32bde123f6..884e9e1dd6 100644
--- a/eth/downloader/bor_downloader_test.go
+++ b/eth/downloader/bor_downloader_test.go
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/params"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/rlp"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/trie"
+
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 )
 
@@ -480,6 +481,8 @@ func assertOwnChain(t *testing.T, tester *downloadTester, length int) {
 
 func TestCanonicalSynchronisation68Full(t *testing.T) { testCanonSync(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestCanonicalSynchronisation68Snap(t *testing.T) { testCanonSync(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestCanonicalSynchronisation67Full(t *testing.T) { testCanonSync(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestCanonicalSynchronisation67Snap(t *testing.T) { testCanonSync(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testCanonSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -501,6 +504,8 @@ func testCanonSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 // until the cached blocks are retrieved.
 func TestThrottling68Full(t *testing.T) { testThrottling(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestThrottling68Snap(t *testing.T) { testThrottling(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestThrottling67Full(t *testing.T) { testThrottling(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestThrottling67Snap(t *testing.T) { testThrottling(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testThrottling(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -586,6 +591,8 @@ func testThrottling(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 // binary search should be executed.
 func TestForkedSync68Full(t *testing.T) { testForkedSync(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestForkedSync68Snap(t *testing.T) { testForkedSync(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestForkedSync67Full(t *testing.T) { testForkedSync(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestForkedSync67Snap(t *testing.T) { testForkedSync(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testForkedSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -614,6 +621,8 @@ func testForkedSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 // currently and is not dropped.
 func TestHeavyForkedSync68Full(t *testing.T) { testHeavyForkedSync(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestHeavyForkedSync68Snap(t *testing.T) { testHeavyForkedSync(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestHeavyForkedSync67Full(t *testing.T) { testHeavyForkedSync(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestHeavyForkedSync67Snap(t *testing.T) { testHeavyForkedSync(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testHeavyForkedSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -644,6 +653,8 @@ func testHeavyForkedSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 // long dead chains.
 func TestBoundedForkedSync68Full(t *testing.T) { testBoundedForkedSync(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestBoundedForkedSync68Snap(t *testing.T) { testBoundedForkedSync(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestBoundedForkedSync67Full(t *testing.T) { testBoundedForkedSync(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestBoundedForkedSync67Snap(t *testing.T) { testBoundedForkedSync(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testBoundedForkedSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -678,6 +689,15 @@ func TestBoundedHeavyForkedSync68Snap(t *testing.T) {
 	testBoundedHeavyForkedSync(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync)
 }
 
+func TestBoundedHeavyForkedSync67Full(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+	testBoundedHeavyForkedSync(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync)
+}
+func TestBoundedHeavyForkedSync67Snap(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+	testBoundedHeavyForkedSync(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync)
+}
+
 func testBoundedHeavyForkedSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
 	defer tester.terminate()
@@ -705,6 +725,8 @@ func testBoundedHeavyForkedSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 // Tests that a canceled download wipes all previously accumulated state.
 func TestCancel68Full(t *testing.T) { testCancel(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestCancel68Snap(t *testing.T) { testCancel(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestCancel67Full(t *testing.T) { testCancel(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestCancel67Snap(t *testing.T) { testCancel(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testCancel(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -734,6 +756,8 @@ func testCancel(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 // Tests that synchronisation from multiple peers works as intended (multi thread sanity test).
 func TestMultiSynchronisation68Full(t *testing.T) { testMultiSynchronisation(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestMultiSynchronisation68Snap(t *testing.T) { testMultiSynchronisation(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestMultiSynchronisation67Full(t *testing.T) { testMultiSynchronisation(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestMultiSynchronisation67Snap(t *testing.T) { testMultiSynchronisation(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testMultiSynchronisation(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -759,6 +783,8 @@ func testMultiSynchronisation(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 // and not wreak havoc on other nodes in the network.
 func TestMultiProtoSynchronisation68Full(t *testing.T) { testMultiProtoSync(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestMultiProtoSynchronisation68Snap(t *testing.T) { testMultiProtoSync(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestMultiProtoSynchronisation67Full(t *testing.T) { testMultiProtoSync(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestMultiProtoSynchronisation67Snap(t *testing.T) { testMultiProtoSync(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testMultiProtoSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -769,6 +795,7 @@ func testMultiProtoSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 
 	// Create peers of every type
 	tester.newPeer("peer 68", eth.ETH68, chain.blocks[1:])
+	tester.newPeer("peer 67", eth.ETH67, chain.blocks[1:])
 
 	// Synchronise with the requested peer and make sure all blocks were retrieved
 	if err := tester.sync(fmt.Sprintf("peer %d", protocol), nil, mode); err != nil {
@@ -778,7 +805,7 @@ func testMultiProtoSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	assertOwnChain(t, tester, len(chain.blocks))
 
 	// Check that no peers have been dropped off
-	for _, version := range []int{68} {
+	for _, version := range []int{68, 67} {
 		peer := fmt.Sprintf("peer %d", version)
 		if _, ok := tester.peers[peer]; !ok {
 			t.Errorf("%s dropped", peer)
@@ -790,6 +817,8 @@ func testMultiProtoSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 // made, and instead the header should be assembled into a whole block in itself.
 func TestEmptyShortCircuit68Full(t *testing.T) { testEmptyShortCircuit(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestEmptyShortCircuit68Snap(t *testing.T) { testEmptyShortCircuit(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestEmptyShortCircuit67Full(t *testing.T) { testEmptyShortCircuit(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestEmptyShortCircuit67Snap(t *testing.T) { testEmptyShortCircuit(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testEmptyShortCircuit(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -819,7 +848,7 @@ func testEmptyShortCircuit(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	bodiesNeeded, receiptsNeeded := 0, 0
 
 	for _, block := range chain.blocks[1:] {
-		if (mode == SnapSync || mode == FullSync) && (len(block.Transactions()) > 0 || len(block.Uncles()) > 0) {
+		if len(block.Transactions()) > 0 || len(block.Uncles()) > 0 {
 			bodiesNeeded++
 		}
 	}
@@ -843,6 +872,8 @@ func testEmptyShortCircuit(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 // stalling the downloader by feeding gapped header chains.
 func TestMissingHeaderAttack68Full(t *testing.T) { testMissingHeaderAttack(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestMissingHeaderAttack68Snap(t *testing.T) { testMissingHeaderAttack(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestMissingHeaderAttack67Full(t *testing.T) { testMissingHeaderAttack(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestMissingHeaderAttack67Snap(t *testing.T) { testMissingHeaderAttack(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testMissingHeaderAttack(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -870,6 +901,8 @@ func testMissingHeaderAttack(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 // detects the invalid numbering.
 func TestShiftedHeaderAttack68Full(t *testing.T) { testShiftedHeaderAttack(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestShiftedHeaderAttack68Snap(t *testing.T) { testShiftedHeaderAttack(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestShiftedHeaderAttack67Full(t *testing.T) { testShiftedHeaderAttack(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestShiftedHeaderAttack67Snap(t *testing.T) { testShiftedHeaderAttack(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testShiftedHeaderAttack(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -903,6 +936,15 @@ func TestHighTDStarvationAttack68Snap(t *testing.T) {
 	testHighTDStarvationAttack(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync)
 }
 
+func TestHighTDStarvationAttack67Full(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+	testHighTDStarvationAttack(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync)
+}
+func TestHighTDStarvationAttack67Snap(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+	testHighTDStarvationAttack(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync)
+}
+
 func testHighTDStarvationAttack(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
 	defer tester.terminate()
@@ -917,6 +959,7 @@ func testHighTDStarvationAttack(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 
 // Tests that misbehaving peers are disconnected, whilst behaving ones are not.
 func TestBlockHeaderAttackerDropping68(t *testing.T) { testBlockHeaderAttackerDropping(t, eth.ETH68) }
+func TestBlockHeaderAttackerDropping67(t *testing.T) { testBlockHeaderAttackerDropping(t, eth.ETH67) }
 
 func testBlockHeaderAttackerDropping(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
 	// Define the disconnection requirement for individual hash fetch errors
@@ -969,6 +1012,8 @@ func testBlockHeaderAttackerDropping(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
 // and highest block number) is tracked and updated correctly.
 func TestSyncProgress68Full(t *testing.T) { testSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestSyncProgress68Snap(t *testing.T) { testSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestSyncProgress67Full(t *testing.T) { testSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestSyncProgress67Snap(t *testing.T) { testSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testSyncProgress(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -1052,6 +1097,8 @@ func checkProgress(t *testing.T, d *Downloader, stage string, want ethereum.Sync
 // revertal).
 func TestForkedSyncProgress68Full(t *testing.T) { testForkedSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestForkedSyncProgress68Snap(t *testing.T) { testForkedSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestForkedSyncProgress67Full(t *testing.T) { testForkedSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestForkedSyncProgress67Snap(t *testing.T) { testForkedSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testForkedSyncProgress(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -1130,6 +1177,8 @@ func testForkedSyncProgress(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 // continuation of the previous sync and not a new instance.
 func TestFailedSyncProgress68Full(t *testing.T) { testFailedSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestFailedSyncProgress68Snap(t *testing.T) { testFailedSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestFailedSyncProgress67Full(t *testing.T) { testFailedSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestFailedSyncProgress67Snap(t *testing.T) { testFailedSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testFailedSyncProgress(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -1203,6 +1252,8 @@ func testFailedSyncProgress(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 // the progress height is successfully reduced at the next sync invocation.
 func TestFakedSyncProgress68Full(t *testing.T) { testFakedSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestFakedSyncProgress68Snap(t *testing.T) { testFakedSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestFakedSyncProgress67Full(t *testing.T) { testFakedSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestFakedSyncProgress67Snap(t *testing.T) { testFakedSyncProgress(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testFakedSyncProgress(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -1367,6 +1418,8 @@ func TestRemoteHeaderRequestSpan(t *testing.T) {
 // being fast-synced from, avoiding potential cheap eclipse attacks.
 func TestBeaconSync68Full(t *testing.T) { testBeaconSync(t, eth.ETH68, FullSync) }
 func TestBeaconSync68Snap(t *testing.T) { testBeaconSync(t, eth.ETH68, SnapSync) }
+func TestBeaconSync67Full(t *testing.T) { testBeaconSync(t, eth.ETH67, FullSync) }
+func TestBeaconSync67Snap(t *testing.T) { testBeaconSync(t, eth.ETH67, SnapSync) }
 
 func testBeaconSync(t *testing.T, protocol uint, mode SyncMode) {
 	t.Helper()
@@ -1477,12 +1530,37 @@ func (w *whitelistFake) GetMilestoneIDsList() []string {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// TestFakedSyncProgress67WhitelistMismatch tests if in case of whitelisted
+// checkpoint mismatch with opposite peer, the sync should fail.
+func TestFakedSyncProgress67WhitelistMismatch(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	protocol := uint(eth.ETH67)
+	mode := FullSync
+
+	tester := newTester(t)
+	validate := func(count int) (bool, error) {
+		return false, whitelist.ErrMismatch
+	}
+	tester.downloader.ChainValidator = newWhitelistFake(validate)
+
+	defer tester.terminate()
+
+	chainA := testChainForkLightA.blocks
+	tester.newPeer("light", protocol, chainA[1:])
+
+	// Synchronise with the peer and make sure all blocks were retrieved
+	if err := tester.sync("light", nil, mode); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("succeeded attacker synchronisation")
+	}
+}
+
 // TestFakedSyncProgress67WhitelistMatch tests if in case of whitelisted
 // checkpoint match with opposite peer, the sync should succeed.
-func TestFakedSyncProgress68WhitelistMatch(t *testing.T) {
+func TestFakedSyncProgress67WhitelistMatch(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
-	protocol := uint(eth.ETH68)
+	protocol := uint(eth.ETH67)
 	mode := FullSync
 
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -1505,10 +1583,10 @@ func TestFakedSyncProgress68WhitelistMatch(t *testing.T) {
 // TestFakedSyncProgress67NoRemoteCheckpoint tests if in case of missing/invalid
 // checkpointed blocks with opposite peer, the sync should fail initially but
 // with the retry mechanism, it should succeed eventually.
-func TestFakedSyncProgress68NoRemoteCheckpoint(t *testing.T) {
+func TestFakedSyncProgress67NoRemoteCheckpoint(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
-	protocol := uint(eth.ETH68)
+	protocol := uint(eth.ETH67)
 	mode := FullSync
 
 	tester := newTester(t)
@@ -1544,8 +1622,8 @@ func TestFakedSyncProgress68NoRemoteCheckpoint(t *testing.T) {
 
 // TestFakedSyncProgress67BypassWhitelistValidation tests if peer validation
 // via whitelist is bypassed when remote peer is far away or not
-func TestFakedSyncProgress68BypassWhitelistValidation(t *testing.T) {
-	protocol := uint(eth.ETH68)
+func TestFakedSyncProgress67BypassWhitelistValidation(t *testing.T) {
+	protocol := uint(eth.ETH67)
 	mode := FullSync
 
 	tester := newTester(t)
diff --git a/eth/downloader/skeleton_test.go b/eth/downloader/skeleton_test.go
index b5236f9d94..1054da209f 100644
--- a/eth/downloader/skeleton_test.go
+++ b/eth/downloader/skeleton_test.go
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/rawdb"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/types"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/eth/protocols/eth"
-	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/ethdb"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/log"
 )
 
@@ -96,7 +95,7 @@ func newSkeletonTestPeer(id string, headers []*types.Header) *skeletonTestPeer {
 	}
 }
 
-// newSkeletonTestPeerWithHook creates a new mock peer to test the skeleton sync with,
+// newSkeletonTestPeer creates a new mock peer to test the skeleton sync with,
 // and sets an optional serve hook that can return headers for delivery instead
 // of the predefined chain. Useful for emulating malicious behavior that would
 // otherwise require dedicated peer types.
@@ -388,9 +387,23 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncInit(t *testing.T) {
 		_ = skeleton.Terminate()
 
 		// Ensure the correct resulting sync status
-		expect := skeletonExpect{state: tt.newstate}
-		if err := checkSkeletonProgress(db, false, nil, expect); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("test %d: %v", i, err)
+		var progress skeletonProgress
+
+		_ = json.Unmarshal(rawdb.ReadSkeletonSyncStatus(db), &progress)
+
+		if len(progress.Subchains) != len(tt.newstate) {
+			t.Errorf("test %d: subchain count mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, len(progress.Subchains), len(tt.newstate))
+			continue
+		}
+
+		for j := 0; j < len(progress.Subchains); j++ {
+			if progress.Subchains[j].Head != tt.newstate[j].Head {
+				t.Errorf("test %d: subchain %d head mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, j, progress.Subchains[j].Head, tt.newstate[j].Head)
+			}
+
+			if progress.Subchains[j].Tail != tt.newstate[j].Tail {
+				t.Errorf("test %d: subchain %d tail mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, j, progress.Subchains[j].Tail, tt.newstate[j].Tail)
+			}
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -496,37 +509,31 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncExtend(t *testing.T) {
 		skeleton.Terminate()
 
 		// Ensure the correct resulting sync status
-		expect := skeletonExpect{state: tt.newstate}
-		if err := checkSkeletonProgress(db, false, nil, expect); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("test %d: %v", i, err)
-		}
-	}
-}
+		var progress skeletonProgress
 
-type skeletonExpect struct {
-	state []*subchain // Expected sync state after the post-init event
-	serve uint64      // Expected number of header retrievals after initial cycle
-	drop  uint64      // Expected number of peers dropped after initial cycle
-}
+		json.Unmarshal(rawdb.ReadSkeletonSyncStatus(db), &progress)
 
-type skeletonTest struct {
-	fill          bool // Whether to run a real backfiller in this test case
-	unpredictable bool // Whether to ignore drops/serves due to uncertain packet assignments
+		if len(progress.Subchains) != len(tt.newstate) {
+			t.Errorf("test %d: subchain count mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, len(progress.Subchains), len(tt.newstate))
+			continue
+		}
 
-	head  *types.Header       // New head header to announce to reorg to
-	peers []*skeletonTestPeer // Initial peer set to start the sync with
-	mid   skeletonExpect
+		for j := 0; j < len(progress.Subchains); j++ {
+			if progress.Subchains[j].Head != tt.newstate[j].Head {
+				t.Errorf("test %d: subchain %d head mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, j, progress.Subchains[j].Head, tt.newstate[j].Head)
+			}
 
-	newHead *types.Header     // New header to anoint on top of the old one
-	newPeer *skeletonTestPeer // New peer to join the skeleton syncer
-	end     skeletonExpect
+			if progress.Subchains[j].Tail != tt.newstate[j].Tail {
+				t.Errorf("test %d: subchain %d tail mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, j, progress.Subchains[j].Tail, tt.newstate[j].Tail)
+			}
+		}
+	}
 }
 
 // Tests that the skeleton sync correctly retrieves headers from one or more
 // peers without duplicates or other strange side effects.
 func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
-	//log.SetDefault(log.NewLogger(log.NewGlogHandler(log.NewTerminalHandler(os.Stderr, false))))
-
+	//log.Root().SetHandler(log.LvlFilterHandler(log.LvlTrace, log.StreamHandler(os.Stderr, log.TerminalFormat(true))))
 	// Since skeleton headers don't need to be meaningful, beyond a parent hash
 	// progression, create a long fake chain to test with.
 	chain := []*types.Header{{Number: big.NewInt(0)}}
@@ -550,7 +557,23 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 			Extra:      []byte("B"), // force a different hash
 		})
 	}
-	tests := []skeletonTest{
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		fill          bool // Whether to run a real backfiller in this test case
+		unpredictable bool // Whether to ignore drops/serves due to uncertain packet assignments
+
+		head     *types.Header       // New head header to announce to reorg to
+		peers    []*skeletonTestPeer // Initial peer set to start the sync with
+		midstate []*subchain         // Expected sync state after initial cycle
+		midserve uint64              // Expected number of header retrievals after initial cycle
+		middrop  uint64              // Expected number of peers dropped after initial cycle
+
+		newHead  *types.Header     // New header to anoint on top of the old one
+		newPeer  *skeletonTestPeer // New peer to join the skeleton syncer
+		endstate []*subchain       // Expected sync state after the post-init event
+		endserve uint64            // Expected number of header retrievals after the post-init event
+		enddrop  uint64            // Expected number of peers dropped after the post-init event
+	}{
 		// Completely empty database with only the genesis set. The sync is expected
 		// to create a single subchain with the requested head. No peers however, so
 		// the sync should be stuck without any progression.
@@ -558,16 +581,12 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 		// When a new peer is added, it should detect the join and fill the headers
 		// to the genesis block.
 		{
-			head: chain[len(chain)-1],
-			mid: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain) - 1), Tail: uint64(len(chain) - 1)}},
-			},
+			head:     chain[len(chain)-1],
+			midstate: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain) - 1), Tail: uint64(len(chain) - 1)}},
 
-			newPeer: newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer", chain),
-			end: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain) - 1), Tail: 1}},
-				serve: uint64(len(chain) - 2), // len - head - genesis
-			},
+			newPeer:  newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer", chain),
+			endstate: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain) - 1), Tail: 1}},
+			endserve: uint64(len(chain) - 2), // len - head - genesis
 		},
 		// Completely empty database with only the genesis set. The sync is expected
 		// to create a single subchain with the requested head. With one valid peer,
@@ -575,18 +594,14 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 		//
 		// Adding a second peer should not have any effect.
 		{
-			head:  chain[len(chain)-1],
-			peers: []*skeletonTestPeer{newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer-1", chain)},
-			mid: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain) - 1), Tail: 1}},
-				serve: uint64(len(chain) - 2), // len - head - genesis
-			},
-
-			newPeer: newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer-2", chain),
-			end: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain) - 1), Tail: 1}},
-				serve: uint64(len(chain) - 2), // len - head - genesis
-			},
+			head:     chain[len(chain)-1],
+			peers:    []*skeletonTestPeer{newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer-1", chain)},
+			midstate: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain) - 1), Tail: 1}},
+			midserve: uint64(len(chain) - 2), // len - head - genesis
+
+			newPeer:  newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer-2", chain),
+			endstate: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain) - 1), Tail: 1}},
+			endserve: uint64(len(chain) - 2), // len - head - genesis
 		},
 		// Completely empty database with only the genesis set. The sync is expected
 		// to create a single subchain with the requested head. With many valid peers,
@@ -600,16 +615,12 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 				newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer-2", chain),
 				newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer-3", chain),
 			},
-			mid: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain) - 1), Tail: 1}},
-				serve: uint64(len(chain) - 2), // len - head - genesis
-			},
+			midstate: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain) - 1), Tail: 1}},
+			midserve: uint64(len(chain) - 2), // len - head - genesis
 
-			newPeer: newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer-4", chain),
-			end: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain) - 1), Tail: 1}},
-				serve: uint64(len(chain) - 2), // len - head - genesis
-			},
+			newPeer:  newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer-4", chain),
+			endstate: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain) - 1), Tail: 1}},
+			endserve: uint64(len(chain) - 2), // len - head - genesis
 		},
 		// This test checks if a peer tries to withhold a header - *on* the sync
 		// boundary - instead of sending the requested amount. The malicious short
@@ -621,18 +632,14 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 			peers: []*skeletonTestPeer{
 				newSkeletonTestPeer("header-skipper", append(append(append([]*types.Header{}, chain[:99]...), nil), chain[100:]...)),
 			},
-			mid: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 100}},
-				serve: requestHeaders + 101 - 3, // len - head - genesis - missing
-				drop:  1,                        // penalize shortened header deliveries
-			},
+			midstate: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 100}},
+			midserve: requestHeaders + 101 - 3, // len - head - genesis - missing
+			middrop:  1,                        // penalize shortened header deliveries
 
-			newPeer: newSkeletonTestPeer("good-peer", chain),
-			end: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 1}},
-				serve: (requestHeaders + 101 - 3) + (100 - 1), // midserve + lenrest - genesis
-				drop:  1,                                      // no new drops
-			},
+			newPeer:  newSkeletonTestPeer("good-peer", chain),
+			endstate: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 1}},
+			endserve: (requestHeaders + 101 - 3) + (100 - 1), // midserve + lenrest - genesis
+			enddrop:  1,                                      // no new drops
 		},
 		// This test checks if a peer tries to withhold a header - *off* the sync
 		// boundary - instead of sending the requested amount. The malicious short
@@ -644,18 +651,14 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 			peers: []*skeletonTestPeer{
 				newSkeletonTestPeer("header-skipper", append(append(append([]*types.Header{}, chain[:50]...), nil), chain[51:]...)),
 			},
-			mid: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 100}},
-				serve: requestHeaders + 101 - 3, // len - head - genesis - missing
-				drop:  1,                        // penalize shortened header deliveries
-			},
+			midstate: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 100}},
+			midserve: requestHeaders + 101 - 3, // len - head - genesis - missing
+			middrop:  1,                        // penalize shortened header deliveries
 
-			newPeer: newSkeletonTestPeer("good-peer", chain),
-			end: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 1}},
-				serve: (requestHeaders + 101 - 3) + (100 - 1), // midserve + lenrest - genesis
-				drop:  1,                                      // no new drops
-			},
+			newPeer:  newSkeletonTestPeer("good-peer", chain),
+			endstate: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 1}},
+			endserve: (requestHeaders + 101 - 3) + (100 - 1), // midserve + lenrest - genesis
+			enddrop:  1,                                      // no new drops
 		},
 		// This test checks if a peer tries to duplicate a header - *on* the sync
 		// boundary - instead of sending the correct sequence. The malicious duped
@@ -667,18 +670,14 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 			peers: []*skeletonTestPeer{
 				newSkeletonTestPeer("header-duper", append(append(append([]*types.Header{}, chain[:99]...), chain[98]), chain[100:]...)),
 			},
-			mid: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 100}},
-				serve: requestHeaders + 101 - 2, // len - head - genesis
-				drop:  1,                        // penalize invalid header sequences
-			},
+			midstate: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 100}},
+			midserve: requestHeaders + 101 - 2, // len - head - genesis
+			middrop:  1,                        // penalize invalid header sequences
 
-			newPeer: newSkeletonTestPeer("good-peer", chain),
-			end: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 1}},
-				serve: (requestHeaders + 101 - 2) + (100 - 1), // midserve + lenrest - genesis
-				drop:  1,                                      // no new drops
-			},
+			newPeer:  newSkeletonTestPeer("good-peer", chain),
+			endstate: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 1}},
+			endserve: (requestHeaders + 101 - 2) + (100 - 1), // midserve + lenrest - genesis
+			enddrop:  1,                                      // no new drops
 		},
 		// This test checks if a peer tries to duplicate a header - *off* the sync
 		// boundary - instead of sending the correct sequence. The malicious duped
@@ -690,18 +689,14 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 			peers: []*skeletonTestPeer{
 				newSkeletonTestPeer("header-duper", append(append(append([]*types.Header{}, chain[:50]...), chain[49]), chain[51:]...)),
 			},
-			mid: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 100}},
-				serve: requestHeaders + 101 - 2, // len - head - genesis
-				drop:  1,                        // penalize invalid header sequences
-			},
+			midstate: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 100}},
+			midserve: requestHeaders + 101 - 2, // len - head - genesis
+			middrop:  1,                        // penalize invalid header sequences
 
-			newPeer: newSkeletonTestPeer("good-peer", chain),
-			end: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 1}},
-				serve: (requestHeaders + 101 - 2) + (100 - 1), // midserve + lenrest - genesis
-				drop:  1,                                      // no new drops
-			},
+			newPeer:  newSkeletonTestPeer("good-peer", chain),
+			endstate: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 1}},
+			endserve: (requestHeaders + 101 - 2) + (100 - 1), // midserve + lenrest - genesis
+			enddrop:  1,                                      // no new drops
 		},
 		// This test checks if a peer tries to inject a different header - *on*
 		// the sync boundary - instead of sending the correct sequence. The bad
@@ -724,18 +719,14 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 			},
-			mid: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 100}},
-				serve: requestHeaders + 101 - 2, // len - head - genesis
-				drop:  1,                        // different set of headers, drop // TODO(karalabe): maybe just diff sync?
-			},
+			midstate: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 100}},
+			midserve: requestHeaders + 101 - 2, // len - head - genesis
+			middrop:  1,                        // different set of headers, drop // TODO(karalabe): maybe just diff sync?
 
-			newPeer: newSkeletonTestPeer("good-peer", chain),
-			end: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 1}},
-				serve: (requestHeaders + 101 - 2) + (100 - 1), // midserve + lenrest - genesis
-				drop:  1,                                      // no new drops
-			},
+			newPeer:  newSkeletonTestPeer("good-peer", chain),
+			endstate: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 1}},
+			endserve: (requestHeaders + 101 - 2) + (100 - 1), // midserve + lenrest - genesis
+			enddrop:  1,                                      // no new drops
 		},
 		// This test checks if a peer tries to inject a different header - *off*
 		// the sync boundary - instead of sending the correct sequence. The bad
@@ -758,18 +749,14 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 					),
 				),
 			},
-			mid: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 100}},
-				serve: requestHeaders + 101 - 2, // len - head - genesis
-				drop:  1,                        // different set of headers, drop
-			},
+			midstate: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 100}},
+			midserve: requestHeaders + 101 - 2, // len - head - genesis
+			middrop:  1,                        // different set of headers, drop
 
-			newPeer: newSkeletonTestPeer("good-peer", chain),
-			end: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 1}},
-				serve: (requestHeaders + 101 - 2) + (100 - 1), // midserve + lenrest - genesis
-				drop:  1,                                      // no new drops
-			},
+			newPeer:  newSkeletonTestPeer("good-peer", chain),
+			endstate: []*subchain{{Head: requestHeaders + 100, Tail: 1}},
+			endserve: (requestHeaders + 101 - 2) + (100 - 1), // midserve + lenrest - genesis
+			enddrop:  1,                                      // no new drops
 		},
 		// This test reproduces a bug caught during review (kudos to @holiman)
 		// where a subchain is merged with a previously interrupted one, causing
@@ -799,16 +786,12 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 					return nil // Fallback to default behavior, just delayed
 				}),
 			},
-			mid: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: 2 * requestHeaders, Tail: 1}},
-				serve: 2*requestHeaders - 1, // len - head - genesis
-			},
+			midstate: []*subchain{{Head: 2 * requestHeaders, Tail: 1}},
+			midserve: 2*requestHeaders - 1, // len - head - genesis
 
-			newHead: chain[2*requestHeaders+2],
-			end: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: 2*requestHeaders + 2, Tail: 1}},
-				serve: 4 * requestHeaders,
-			},
+			newHead:  chain[2*requestHeaders+2],
+			endstate: []*subchain{{Head: 2*requestHeaders + 2, Tail: 1}},
+			endserve: 4 * requestHeaders,
 		},
 		// This test reproduces a bug caught by (@rjl493456442) where a skeleton
 		// header goes missing, causing the sync to get stuck and/or panic.
@@ -830,17 +813,13 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 			fill:          true,
 			unpredictable: true, // We have good and bad peer too, bad may be dropped, test too short for certainty
 
-			head:  chain[len(chain)/2+1], // Sync up until the sidechain common ancestor + 2
-			peers: []*skeletonTestPeer{newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer-oldchain", chain)},
-			mid: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain)/2 + 1), Tail: 1}},
-			},
+			head:     chain[len(chain)/2+1], // Sync up until the sidechain common ancestor + 2
+			peers:    []*skeletonTestPeer{newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer-oldchain", chain)},
+			midstate: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(chain)/2 + 1), Tail: 1}},
 
-			newHead: sidechain[len(sidechain)/2+3], // Sync up until the sidechain common ancestor + 4
-			newPeer: newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer-newchain", sidechain),
-			end: skeletonExpect{
-				state: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(sidechain)/2 + 3), Tail: uint64(len(chain) / 2)}},
-			},
+			newHead:  sidechain[len(sidechain)/2+3], // Sync up until the sidechain common ancestor + 4
+			newPeer:  newSkeletonTestPeer("test-peer-newchain", sidechain),
+			endstate: []*subchain{{Head: uint64(len(sidechain)/2 + 3), Tail: uint64(len(chain) / 2)}},
 		},
 	}
 	for i, tt := range tests {
@@ -853,7 +832,7 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 		// Create a peer set to feed headers through
 		peerset := newPeerSet()
 		for _, peer := range tt.peers {
-			peerset.Register(newPeerConnection(peer.id, eth.ETH68, peer, log.New("id", peer.id)))
+			peerset.Register(newPeerConnection(peer.id, eth.ETH67, peer, log.New("id", peer.id)))
 		}
 		// Create a peer dropper to track malicious peers
 		dropped := make(map[string]int)
@@ -906,84 +885,138 @@ func TestSkeletonSyncRetrievals(t *testing.T) {
 		skeleton := newSkeleton(db, peerset, drop, filler)
 		_ = skeleton.Sync(tt.head, nil, true)
 
+		var progress skeletonProgress
 		// Wait a bit (bleah) for the initial sync loop to go to idle. This might
 		// be either a finish or a never-start hence why there's no event to hook.
+		check := func() error {
+			if len(progress.Subchains) != len(tt.midstate) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("test %d, mid state: subchain count mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, len(progress.Subchains), len(tt.midstate))
+			}
+
+			for j := 0; j < len(progress.Subchains); j++ {
+				if progress.Subchains[j].Head != tt.midstate[j].Head {
+					return fmt.Errorf("test %d, mid state: subchain %d head mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, j, progress.Subchains[j].Head, tt.midstate[j].Head)
+				}
+
+				if progress.Subchains[j].Tail != tt.midstate[j].Tail {
+					return fmt.Errorf("test %d, mid state: subchain %d tail mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, j, progress.Subchains[j].Tail, tt.midstate[j].Tail)
+				}
+			}
+
+			return nil
+		}
+
 		waitStart := time.Now()
 		for waitTime := 20 * time.Millisecond; time.Since(waitStart) < 2*time.Second; waitTime = waitTime * 2 {
 			time.Sleep(waitTime)
-			if err := checkSkeletonProgress(db, tt.unpredictable, tt.peers, tt.mid); err == nil {
+			// Check the post-init end state if it matches the required results
+			json.Unmarshal(rawdb.ReadSkeletonSyncStatus(db), &progress)
+
+			if err := check(); err == nil {
 				break
 			}
 		}
-		if err := checkSkeletonProgress(db, tt.unpredictable, tt.peers, tt.mid); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("test %d, mid: %v", i, err)
+
+		if err := check(); err != nil {
+			t.Error(err)
 			continue
 		}
 
-		// Apply the post-init events if there's any
-		endpeers := tt.peers
-		if tt.newPeer != nil {
-			if err := peerset.Register(newPeerConnection(tt.newPeer.id, eth.ETH68, tt.newPeer, log.New("id", tt.newPeer.id))); err != nil {
-				t.Errorf("test %d: failed to register new peer: %v", i, err)
+		if !tt.unpredictable {
+			var served uint64
+			for _, peer := range tt.peers {
+				served += peer.served.Load()
+			}
+
+			if served != tt.midserve {
+				t.Errorf("test %d, mid state: served headers mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, served, tt.midserve)
+			}
+
+			var drops uint64
+
+			for _, peer := range tt.peers {
+				drops += peer.dropped.Load()
+			}
+
+			if drops != tt.middrop {
+				t.Errorf("test %d, mid state: dropped peers mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, drops, tt.middrop)
 			}
-			time.Sleep(time.Millisecond * 50) // given time for peer registration
-			endpeers = append(tt.peers, tt.newPeer)
 		}
+		// Apply the post-init events if there's any
 		if tt.newHead != nil {
-			skeleton.Sync(tt.newHead, nil, true)
+			_ = skeleton.Sync(tt.newHead, nil, true)
 		}
 
+		if tt.newPeer != nil {
+			if err := peerset.Register(newPeerConnection(tt.newPeer.id, eth.ETH67, tt.newPeer, log.New("id", tt.newPeer.id))); err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("test %d: failed to register new peer: %v", i, err)
+			}
+		}
 		// Wait a bit (bleah) for the second sync loop to go to idle. This might
 		// be either a finish or a never-start hence why there's no event to hook.
+		check = func() error {
+			if len(progress.Subchains) != len(tt.endstate) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("test %d, end state: subchain count mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, len(progress.Subchains), len(tt.endstate))
+			}
+
+			for j := 0; j < len(progress.Subchains); j++ {
+				if progress.Subchains[j].Head != tt.endstate[j].Head {
+					return fmt.Errorf("test %d, end state: subchain %d head mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, j, progress.Subchains[j].Head, tt.endstate[j].Head)
+				}
+
+				if progress.Subchains[j].Tail != tt.endstate[j].Tail {
+					return fmt.Errorf("test %d, end state: subchain %d tail mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, j, progress.Subchains[j].Tail, tt.endstate[j].Tail)
+				}
+			}
+
+			return nil
+		}
 		waitStart = time.Now()
 
 		for waitTime := 20 * time.Millisecond; time.Since(waitStart) < 2*time.Second; waitTime = waitTime * 2 {
 			time.Sleep(waitTime)
-			if err := checkSkeletonProgress(db, tt.unpredictable, endpeers, tt.end); err == nil {
+			// Check the post-init end state if it matches the required results
+			json.Unmarshal(rawdb.ReadSkeletonSyncStatus(db), &progress)
+
+			if err := check(); err == nil {
 				break
 			}
 		}
-		if err := checkSkeletonProgress(db, tt.unpredictable, endpeers, tt.end); err != nil {
-			t.Errorf("test %d, end: %v", i, err)
+
+		if err := check(); err != nil {
+			t.Error(err)
 			continue
 		}
 		// Check that the peers served no more headers than we actually needed
-		// Clean up any leftover skeleton sync resources
-		skeleton.Terminate()
-	}
-}
+		if !tt.unpredictable {
+			served := uint64(0)
+			for _, peer := range tt.peers {
+				served += peer.served.Load()
+			}
 
-func checkSkeletonProgress(db ethdb.KeyValueReader, unpredictable bool, peers []*skeletonTestPeer, expected skeletonExpect) error {
-	var progress skeletonProgress
-	// Check the post-init end state if it matches the required results
-	json.Unmarshal(rawdb.ReadSkeletonSyncStatus(db), &progress)
+			if tt.newPeer != nil {
+				served += tt.newPeer.served.Load()
+			}
 
-	if len(progress.Subchains) != len(expected.state) {
-		return fmt.Errorf("subchain count mismatch: have %d, want %d", len(progress.Subchains), len(expected.state))
-	}
-	for j := 0; j < len(progress.Subchains); j++ {
-		if progress.Subchains[j].Head != expected.state[j].Head {
-			return fmt.Errorf("subchain %d head mismatch: have %d, want %d", j, progress.Subchains[j].Head, expected.state[j].Head)
-		}
-		if progress.Subchains[j].Tail != expected.state[j].Tail {
-			return fmt.Errorf("subchain %d tail mismatch: have %d, want %d", j, progress.Subchains[j].Tail, expected.state[j].Tail)
-		}
-	}
-	if !unpredictable {
-		var served uint64
-		for _, peer := range peers {
-			served += peer.served.Load()
-		}
-		if served != expected.serve {
-			return fmt.Errorf("served headers mismatch: have %d, want %d", served, expected.serve)
-		}
-		var drops uint64
-		for _, peer := range peers {
-			drops += peer.dropped.Load()
-		}
-		if drops != expected.drop {
-			return fmt.Errorf("dropped peers mismatch: have %d, want %d", drops, expected.drop)
+			if served != tt.endserve {
+				t.Errorf("test %d, end state: served headers mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, served, tt.endserve)
+			}
+
+			drops := uint64(0)
+
+			for _, peer := range tt.peers {
+				drops += peer.dropped.Load()
+			}
+
+			if tt.newPeer != nil {
+				drops += tt.newPeer.dropped.Load()
+			}
+
+			if drops != tt.enddrop {
+				t.Errorf("test %d, end state: dropped peers mismatch: have %d, want %d", i, drops, tt.middrop)
+			}
 		}
+		// Clean up any leftover skeleton sync resources
+		skeleton.Terminate()
 	}
-	return nil
 }
diff --git a/eth/handler_eth.go b/eth/handler_eth.go
index 3869afee67..27a4d3876f 100644
--- a/eth/handler_eth.go
+++ b/eth/handler_eth.go
@@ -68,7 +68,10 @@ func (h *ethHandler) Handle(peer *eth.Peer, packet eth.Packet) error {
 	case *eth.NewBlockPacket:
 		return h.handleBlockBroadcast(peer, packet.Block, packet.TD)
 
-	case *eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket:
+	case *eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket67:
+		return h.txFetcher.Notify(peer.ID(), nil, nil, *packet)
+
+	case *eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68:
 		return h.txFetcher.Notify(peer.ID(), packet.Types, packet.Sizes, packet.Hashes)
 
 	case *eth.TransactionsPacket:
diff --git a/eth/handler_eth_test.go b/eth/handler_eth_test.go
index 3866f66eac..a5affaa310 100644
--- a/eth/handler_eth_test.go
+++ b/eth/handler_eth_test.go
@@ -57,7 +57,11 @@ func (h *testEthHandler) Handle(peer *eth.Peer, packet eth.Packet) error {
 		h.blockBroadcasts.Send(packet.Block)
 		return nil
 
-	case *eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket:
+	case *eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket67:
+		h.txAnnounces.Send(([]common.Hash)(*packet))
+		return nil
+
+	case *eth.NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68:
 		h.txAnnounces.Send(packet.Hashes)
 		return nil
 
@@ -76,6 +80,7 @@ func (h *testEthHandler) Handle(peer *eth.Peer, packet eth.Packet) error {
 
 // Tests that peers are correctly accepted (or rejected) based on the advertised
 // fork IDs in the protocol handshake.
+func TestForkIDSplit67(t *testing.T) { testForkIDSplit(t, eth.ETH67) }
 func TestForkIDSplit68(t *testing.T) { testForkIDSplit(t, eth.ETH68) }
 
 func testForkIDSplit(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
@@ -233,6 +238,7 @@ func testForkIDSplit(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
 }
 
 // Tests that received transactions are added to the local pool.
+func TestRecvTransactions67(t *testing.T) { testRecvTransactions(t, eth.ETH67) }
 func TestRecvTransactions68(t *testing.T) { testRecvTransactions(t, eth.ETH68) }
 
 func testRecvTransactions(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
@@ -292,6 +298,7 @@ func testRecvTransactions(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
 }
 
 // This test checks that pending transactions are sent.
+func TestSendTransactions67(t *testing.T) { testSendTransactions(t, eth.ETH67) }
 func TestSendTransactions68(t *testing.T) { testSendTransactions(t, eth.ETH68) }
 
 func testSendTransactions(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
@@ -350,7 +357,7 @@ func testSendTransactions(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
 	seen := make(map[common.Hash]struct{})
 	for len(seen) < len(insert) {
 		switch protocol {
-		case 68:
+		case 67, 68:
 			select {
 			case hashes := <-anns:
 				for _, hash := range hashes {
@@ -376,6 +383,7 @@ func testSendTransactions(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
 
 // Tests that transactions get propagated to all attached peers, either via direct
 // broadcasts or via announcements/retrievals.
+func TestTransactionPropagation67(t *testing.T) { testTransactionPropagation(t, eth.ETH67) }
 func TestTransactionPropagation68(t *testing.T) { testTransactionPropagation(t, eth.ETH68) }
 
 func testTransactionPropagation(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
@@ -483,8 +491,8 @@ func testBroadcastBlock(t *testing.T, peers, bcasts int) {
 		defer sourcePipe.Close()
 		defer sinkPipe.Close()
 
-		sourcePeer := eth.NewPeer(eth.ETH68, p2p.NewPeerPipe(enode.ID{byte(i)}, "", nil, sourcePipe), sourcePipe, nil)
-		sinkPeer := eth.NewPeer(eth.ETH68, p2p.NewPeerPipe(enode.ID{0}, "", nil, sinkPipe), sinkPipe, nil)
+		sourcePeer := eth.NewPeer(eth.ETH67, p2p.NewPeerPipe(enode.ID{byte(i)}, "", nil, sourcePipe), sourcePipe, nil)
+		sinkPeer := eth.NewPeer(eth.ETH67, p2p.NewPeerPipe(enode.ID{0}, "", nil, sinkPipe), sinkPipe, nil)
 		defer sourcePeer.Close()
 		defer sinkPeer.Close()
 
@@ -543,6 +551,7 @@ func testBroadcastBlock(t *testing.T, peers, bcasts int) {
 
 // Tests that a propagated malformed block (uncles or transactions don't match
 // with the hashes in the header) gets discarded and not broadcast forward.
+func TestBroadcastMalformedBlock67(t *testing.T) { testBroadcastMalformedBlock(t, eth.ETH67) }
 func TestBroadcastMalformedBlock68(t *testing.T) { testBroadcastMalformedBlock(t, eth.ETH68) }
 
 func testBroadcastMalformedBlock(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
diff --git a/eth/protocols/eth/broadcast.go b/eth/protocols/eth/broadcast.go
index ec8a37830a..f3826497e0 100644
--- a/eth/protocols/eth/broadcast.go
+++ b/eth/protocols/eth/broadcast.go
@@ -171,9 +171,16 @@ func (p *Peer) announceTransactions() {
 			if len(pending) > 0 {
 				done = make(chan struct{})
 				go func() {
-					if err := p.sendPooledTransactionHashes(pending, pendingTypes, pendingSizes); err != nil {
-						fail <- err
-						return
+					if p.version >= ETH68 {
+						if err := p.sendPooledTransactionHashes68(pending, pendingTypes, pendingSizes); err != nil {
+							fail <- err
+							return
+						}
+					} else {
+						if err := p.sendPooledTransactionHashes66(pending); err != nil {
+							fail <- err
+							return
+						}
 					}
 					close(done)
 					p.Log().Trace("Sent transaction announcements", "count", len(pending))
diff --git a/eth/protocols/eth/handler.go b/eth/protocols/eth/handler.go
index 2d69ecdc83..e24a24b2a1 100644
--- a/eth/protocols/eth/handler.go
+++ b/eth/protocols/eth/handler.go
@@ -93,6 +93,10 @@ type TxPool interface {
 func MakeProtocols(backend Backend, network uint64, dnsdisc enode.Iterator) []p2p.Protocol {
 	protocols := make([]p2p.Protocol, 0, len(ProtocolVersions))
 	for _, version := range ProtocolVersions {
+		// Blob transactions require eth/68 announcements, disable everything else
+		if version <= ETH67 && backend.Chain().Config().CancunBlock != nil {
+			continue
+		}
 		version := version // Closure
 
 		protocols = append(protocols, p2p.Protocol{
@@ -162,11 +166,26 @@ type Decoder interface {
 	Time() time.Time
 }
 
+var eth67 = map[uint64]msgHandler{
+	NewBlockHashesMsg:             handleNewBlockhashes,
+	NewBlockMsg:                   handleNewBlock,
+	TransactionsMsg:               handleTransactions,
+	NewPooledTransactionHashesMsg: handleNewPooledTransactionHashes67,
+	GetBlockHeadersMsg:            handleGetBlockHeaders,
+	BlockHeadersMsg:               handleBlockHeaders,
+	GetBlockBodiesMsg:             handleGetBlockBodies,
+	BlockBodiesMsg:                handleBlockBodies,
+	GetReceiptsMsg:                handleGetReceipts,
+	ReceiptsMsg:                   handleReceipts,
+	GetPooledTransactionsMsg:      handleGetPooledTransactions,
+	PooledTransactionsMsg:         handlePooledTransactions,
+}
+
 var eth68 = map[uint64]msgHandler{
 	NewBlockHashesMsg:             handleNewBlockhashes,
 	NewBlockMsg:                   handleNewBlock,
 	TransactionsMsg:               handleTransactions,
-	NewPooledTransactionHashesMsg: handleNewPooledTransactionHashes,
+	NewPooledTransactionHashesMsg: handleNewPooledTransactionHashes68,
 	GetBlockHeadersMsg:            handleGetBlockHeaders,
 	BlockHeadersMsg:               handleBlockHeaders,
 	GetBlockBodiesMsg:             handleGetBlockBodies,
@@ -190,8 +209,10 @@ func handleMessage(backend Backend, peer *Peer) error {
 	}
 	defer msg.Discard()
 
-	var handlers = eth68
-
+	var handlers = eth67
+	if peer.Version() >= ETH68 {
+		handlers = eth68
+	}
 	// Track the amount of time it takes to serve the request and run the handler
 	if metrics.Enabled {
 		h := fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s/%d/%#02x", p2p.HandleHistName, ProtocolName, peer.Version(), msg.Code)
diff --git a/eth/protocols/eth/handler_test.go b/eth/protocols/eth/handler_test.go
index d3a0f978e5..8670ea6ba0 100644
--- a/eth/protocols/eth/handler_test.go
+++ b/eth/protocols/eth/handler_test.go
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ func newTestBackend(blocks int) *testBackend {
 	return newTestBackendWithGenerator(blocks, false, nil)
 }
 
-// newTestBackendWithGenerator creates a chain with a number of explicitly defined blocks and
+// newTestBackend creates a chain with a number of explicitly defined blocks and
 // wraps it into a mock backend.
 // nolint:typecheck
 func newTestBackendWithGenerator(blocks int, shanghai bool, generator func(int, *core.BlockGen)) *testBackend {
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ func (b *testBackend) Handle(*Peer, Packet) error {
 }
 
 // Tests that block headers can be retrieved from a remote chain based on user queries.
+func TestGetBlockHeaders67(t *testing.T) { testGetBlockHeaders(t, ETH67) }
 func TestGetBlockHeaders68(t *testing.T) { testGetBlockHeaders(t, ETH68) }
 
 func testGetBlockHeaders(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
@@ -338,6 +339,7 @@ func testGetBlockHeaders(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
 }
 
 // Tests that block contents can be retrieved from a remote chain based on their hashes.
+func TestGetBlockBodies67(t *testing.T) { testGetBlockBodies(t, ETH67) }
 func TestGetBlockBodies68(t *testing.T) { testGetBlockBodies(t, ETH68) }
 
 func testGetBlockBodies(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
@@ -432,6 +434,7 @@ func testGetBlockBodies(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
 }
 
 // Tests that the transaction receipts can be retrieved based on hashes.
+func TestGetBlockReceipts67(t *testing.T) { testGetBlockReceipts(t, ETH67) }
 func TestGetBlockReceipts68(t *testing.T) { testGetBlockReceipts(t, ETH68) }
 
 func testGetBlockReceipts(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
diff --git a/eth/protocols/eth/handlers.go b/eth/protocols/eth/handlers.go
index 8aa471984c..e8f3fb7b8c 100644
--- a/eth/protocols/eth/handlers.go
+++ b/eth/protocols/eth/handlers.go
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ func serviceContiguousBlockHeaderQuery(chain *core.BlockChain, query *GetBlockHe
 		return headers
 	}
 	{ // Last mode: deliver ancestors of H
-		for i := uint64(1); i < count; i++ {
+		for i := uint64(1); header != nil && i < count; i++ {
 			header = chain.GetHeaderByHash(header.ParentHash)
 			if header == nil {
 				break
@@ -425,13 +425,33 @@ func handleReceipts(backend Backend, msg Decoder, peer *Peer) error {
 	}, metadata)
 }
 
-func handleNewPooledTransactionHashes(backend Backend, msg Decoder, peer *Peer) error {
+func handleNewPooledTransactionHashes67(backend Backend, msg Decoder, peer *Peer) error {
 	// New transaction announcement arrived, make sure we have
 	// a valid and fresh chain to handle them
 	if !backend.AcceptTxs() {
 		return nil
 	}
-	ann := new(NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket)
+	ann := new(NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket67)
+	if err := msg.Decode(ann); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: message %v: %v", errDecode, msg, err)
+	}
+	// Schedule all the unknown hashes for retrieval
+	for _, hash := range *ann {
+		peer.markTransaction(hash)
+	}
+
+	return backend.Handle(peer, ann)
+}
+
+func handleNewPooledTransactionHashes68(backend Backend, msg Decoder, peer *Peer) error {
+	// New transaction announcement arrived, make sure we have
+	// a valid and fresh chain to handle them
+	if !backend.AcceptTxs() {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	ann := new(NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68)
+
 	if err := msg.Decode(ann); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%w: message %v: %v", errDecode, msg, err)
 	}
diff --git a/eth/protocols/eth/handshake_test.go b/eth/protocols/eth/handshake_test.go
index fa415cb7cf..6089723e57 100644
--- a/eth/protocols/eth/handshake_test.go
+++ b/eth/protocols/eth/handshake_test.go
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 // Tests that handshake failures are detected and reported correctly.
+func TestHandshake67(t *testing.T) { testHandshake(t, ETH67) }
 func TestHandshake68(t *testing.T) { testHandshake(t, ETH68) }
 
 func testHandshake(t *testing.T, protocol uint) {
diff --git a/eth/protocols/eth/peer.go b/eth/protocols/eth/peer.go
index 95ac5ad811..21fd966d58 100644
--- a/eth/protocols/eth/peer.go
+++ b/eth/protocols/eth/peer.go
@@ -56,6 +56,14 @@ const (
 	maxQueuedBlockAnns = 4
 )
 
+// max is a helper function which returns the larger of the two given integers.
+func max(a, b int) int {
+	if a > b {
+		return a
+	}
+	return b
+}
+
 // Peer is a collection of relevant information we have about a `eth` peer.
 type Peer struct {
 	id string // Unique ID for the peer, cached
@@ -84,7 +92,7 @@ type Peer struct {
 	lock sync.RWMutex  // Mutex protecting the internal fields
 }
 
-// NewPeer creates a wrapper for a network connection and negotiated  protocol
+// NewPeer create a wrapper for a network connection and negotiated  protocol
 // version.
 func NewPeer(version uint, p *p2p.Peer, rw p2p.MsgReadWriter, txpool TxPool) *Peer {
 	peer := &Peer{
@@ -202,17 +210,29 @@ func (p *Peer) AsyncSendTransactions(hashes []common.Hash) {
 	}
 }
 
-// sendPooledTransactionHashes sends transaction hashes (tagged with their type
+// sendPooledTransactionHashes66 sends transaction hashes to the peer and includes
+// them in its transaction hash set for future reference.
+//
+// This method is a helper used by the async transaction announcer. Don't call it
+// directly as the queueing (memory) and transmission (bandwidth) costs should
+// not be managed directly.
+func (p *Peer) sendPooledTransactionHashes66(hashes []common.Hash) error {
+	// Mark all the transactions as known, but ensure we don't overflow our limits
+	p.knownTxs.Add(hashes...)
+	return p2p.Send(p.rw, NewPooledTransactionHashesMsg, NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket67(hashes))
+}
+
+// sendPooledTransactionHashes68 sends transaction hashes (tagged with their type
 // and size) to the peer and includes them in its transaction hash set for future
 // reference.
 //
 // This method is a helper used by the async transaction announcer. Don't call it
 // directly as the queueing (memory) and transmission (bandwidth) costs should
 // not be managed directly.
-func (p *Peer) sendPooledTransactionHashes(hashes []common.Hash, types []byte, sizes []uint32) error {
+func (p *Peer) sendPooledTransactionHashes68(hashes []common.Hash, types []byte, sizes []uint32) error {
 	// Mark all the transactions as known, but ensure we don't overflow our limits
 	p.knownTxs.Add(hashes...)
-	return p2p.Send(p.rw, NewPooledTransactionHashesMsg, NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket{Types: types, Sizes: sizes, Hashes: hashes})
+	return p2p.Send(p.rw, NewPooledTransactionHashesMsg, NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68{Types: types, Sizes: sizes, Hashes: hashes})
 }
 
 // AsyncSendPooledTransactionHashes queues a list of transactions hashes to eventually
diff --git a/eth/protocols/eth/protocol.go b/eth/protocols/eth/protocol.go
index c0534b4da5..4b69c635ad 100644
--- a/eth/protocols/eth/protocol.go
+++ b/eth/protocols/eth/protocol.go
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import (
 
 // Constants to match up protocol versions and messages
 const (
+	ETH67 = 67
 	ETH68 = 68
 )
 
@@ -39,11 +40,11 @@ const ProtocolName = "eth"
 
 // ProtocolVersions are the supported versions of the `eth` protocol (first
 // is primary).
-var ProtocolVersions = []uint{ETH68}
+var ProtocolVersions = []uint{ETH68, ETH67}
 
 // protocolLengths are the number of implemented message corresponding to
 // different protocol versions.
-var protocolLengths = map[uint]uint64{ETH68: 17}
+var protocolLengths = map[uint]uint64{ETH68: 17, ETH67: 17}
 
 // maxMessageSize is the maximum cap on the size of a protocol message.
 const maxMessageSize = 10 * 1024 * 1024
@@ -290,8 +291,11 @@ type ReceiptsRLPPacket struct {
 	ReceiptsRLPResponse
 }
 
-// NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket represents a transaction announcement packet on eth/68 and newer.
-type NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket struct {
+// NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket67 represents a transaction announcement packet on eth/67.
+type NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket67 []common.Hash
+
+// NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68 represents a transaction announcement packet on eth/68 and newer.
+type NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68 struct {
 	Types  []byte
 	Sizes  []uint32
 	Hashes []common.Hash
@@ -350,8 +354,10 @@ func (*BlockBodiesResponse) Kind() byte   { return BlockBodiesMsg }
 func (*NewBlockPacket) Name() string { return "NewBlock" }
 func (*NewBlockPacket) Kind() byte   { return NewBlockMsg }
 
-func (*NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket) Name() string { return "NewPooledTransactionHashes" }
-func (*NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket) Kind() byte   { return NewPooledTransactionHashesMsg }
+func (*NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket67) Name() string { return "NewPooledTransactionHashes" }
+func (*NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket67) Kind() byte   { return NewPooledTransactionHashesMsg }
+func (*NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68) Name() string { return "NewPooledTransactionHashes" }
+func (*NewPooledTransactionHashesPacket68) Kind() byte   { return NewPooledTransactionHashesMsg }
 
 func (*GetPooledTransactionsRequest) Name() string { return "GetPooledTransactions" }
 func (*GetPooledTransactionsRequest) Kind() byte   { return GetPooledTransactionsMsg }
diff --git a/eth/sync_test.go b/eth/sync_test.go
index e3def8029d..a476f6234c 100644
--- a/eth/sync_test.go
+++ b/eth/sync_test.go
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 // Tests that snap sync is disabled after a successful sync cycle.
+func TestSnapSyncDisabling67(t *testing.T) { testSnapSyncDisabling(t, eth.ETH67, snap.SNAP1) }
 func TestSnapSyncDisabling68(t *testing.T) { testSnapSyncDisabling(t, eth.ETH68, snap.SNAP1) }
 
 // Tests that snap sync gets disabled as soon as a real block is successfully