diff --git a/.docker/privnet-entrypoint.sh b/.docker/privnet-entrypoint.sh
index 65f38b80f..d59632169 100755
--- a/.docker/privnet-entrypoint.sh
+++ b/.docker/privnet-entrypoint.sh
@@ -2,15 +2,11 @@
 
 BIN=/usr/bin/neo-go
 
-if [ -z "$ACC"]; then
-  ACC=/6000-privnet-blocks.acc.gz
-fi
-
 case $@ in
   "node"*)
   echo "=> Try to restore blocks before running node"
-  if test -f $ACC; then
-    gunzip --stdout /$ACC > /privnet.acc
+  if [ -n "$ACC" -a -f "$ACC" ]; then
+    gunzip --stdout "$ACC" > /privnet.acc
     ${BIN} db restore -p --config-path /config -i /privnet.acc
   fi
     ;;
diff --git a/pkg/consensus/consensus.go b/pkg/consensus/consensus.go
index bb3a61bf9..07a9d822b 100644
--- a/pkg/consensus/consensus.go
+++ b/pkg/consensus/consensus.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/util"
 	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/vm/emit"
 	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/wallet"
+	"go.uber.org/atomic"
 	"go.uber.org/zap"
 )
 
@@ -63,6 +64,9 @@ type service struct {
 	lastProposal []util.Uint256
 	wallet       *wallet.Wallet
 	network      netmode.Magic
+	// started is a flag set with Start method that runs an event handling
+	// goroutine.
+	started *atomic.Bool
 }
 
 // Config is a configuration for consensus services.
@@ -104,6 +108,7 @@ func NewService(cfg Config) (Service, error) {
 		transactions: make(chan *transaction.Transaction, 100),
 		blockEvents:  make(chan *coreb.Block, 1),
 		network:      cfg.Chain.GetConfig().Magic,
+		started:      atomic.NewBool(false),
 	}
 
 	if cfg.Wallet == nil {
@@ -143,6 +148,7 @@ func NewService(cfg Config) (Service, error) {
 		dbft.WithNewCommit(func() payload.Commit { return new(commit) }),
 		dbft.WithNewRecoveryRequest(func() payload.RecoveryRequest { return new(recoveryRequest) }),
 		dbft.WithNewRecoveryMessage(func() payload.RecoveryMessage { return new(recoveryMessage) }),
+		dbft.WithVerifyPrepareRequest(srv.verifyRequest),
 	)
 
 	if srv.dbft == nil {
@@ -169,9 +175,11 @@ func (s *service) newPayload() payload.ConsensusPayload {
 }
 
 func (s *service) Start() {
-	s.dbft.Start()
-	s.Chain.SubscribeForBlocks(s.blockEvents)
-	go s.eventLoop()
+	if s.started.CAS(false, true) {
+		s.dbft.Start()
+		s.Chain.SubscribeForBlocks(s.blockEvents)
+		go s.eventLoop()
+	}
 }
 
 func (s *service) eventLoop() {
@@ -267,8 +275,8 @@ func (s *service) OnPayload(cp *Payload) {
 	s.Config.Broadcast(cp)
 	s.cache.Add(cp)
 
-	if s.dbft == nil {
-		log.Debug("dbft is nil")
+	if s.dbft == nil || !s.started.Load() {
+		log.Debug("dbft is inactive or not started yet")
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -280,13 +288,6 @@ func (s *service) OnPayload(cp *Payload) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// we use switch here because other payloads could be possibly added in future
-	switch cp.Type() {
-	case payload.PrepareRequestType:
-		req := cp.GetPrepareRequest().(*prepareRequest)
-		s.lastProposal = req.transactionHashes
-	}
-
 	s.messages <- *cp
 }
 
@@ -347,6 +348,14 @@ func (s *service) verifyBlock(b block.Block) bool {
 	return true
 }
 
+func (s *service) verifyRequest(p payload.ConsensusPayload) error {
+	req := p.GetPrepareRequest().(*prepareRequest)
+	// Save lastProposal for getVerified().
+	s.lastProposal = req.transactionHashes
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (s *service) processBlock(b block.Block) {
 	bb := &b.(*neoBlock).Block
 	bb.Script = *(s.getBlockWitness(bb))
diff --git a/pkg/consensus/consensus_test.go b/pkg/consensus/consensus_test.go
index 196bdd5cf..fb4c82278 100644
--- a/pkg/consensus/consensus_test.go
+++ b/pkg/consensus/consensus_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package consensus
 
 import (
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/nspcc-dev/dbft/block"
 	"github.com/nspcc-dev/dbft/payload"
@@ -39,6 +40,7 @@ func TestNewService(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestService_GetVerified(t *testing.T) {
 	srv := newTestService(t)
+	srv.dbft.Start()
 	var txs []*transaction.Transaction
 	for i := 0; i < 4; i++ {
 		tx := transaction.New(netmode.UnitTestNet, []byte{byte(opcode.PUSH1)}, 0)
@@ -52,22 +54,30 @@ func TestService_GetVerified(t *testing.T) {
 
 	hashes := []util.Uint256{txs[0].Hash(), txs[1].Hash(), txs[2].Hash()}
 
-	p := new(Payload)
-	p.message = &message{}
-	p.SetType(payload.PrepareRequestType)
-	tx := transaction.New(netmode.UnitTestNet, []byte{byte(opcode.PUSH1)}, 0)
-	tx.Nonce = 999
-	p.SetPayload(&prepareRequest{transactionHashes: hashes})
-	p.SetValidatorIndex(1)
+	// Everyone sends a message.
+	for i := 0; i < 4; i++ {
+		p := new(Payload)
+		p.message = &message{}
+		// One PrepareRequest and three ChangeViews.
+		if i == 1 {
+			p.SetType(payload.PrepareRequestType)
+			p.SetPayload(&prepareRequest{transactionHashes: hashes})
+		} else {
+			p.SetType(payload.ChangeViewType)
+			p.SetPayload(&changeView{newViewNumber: 1, timestamp: uint32(time.Now().Unix())})
+		}
+		p.SetHeight(1)
+		p.SetValidatorIndex(uint16(i))
 
-	priv, _ := getTestValidator(1)
-	require.NoError(t, p.Sign(priv))
+		priv, _ := getTestValidator(i)
+		require.NoError(t, p.Sign(priv))
 
-	srv.OnPayload(p)
+		// Skip srv.OnPayload, because the service is not really started.
+		srv.dbft.OnReceive(p)
+	}
+	require.Equal(t, uint8(1), srv.dbft.ViewNumber)
 	require.Equal(t, hashes, srv.lastProposal)
 
-	srv.dbft.ViewNumber = 1
-
 	t.Run("new transactions will be proposed in case of failure", func(t *testing.T) {
 		txx := srv.getVerifiedTx()
 		require.Equal(t, 1, len(txx), "there is only 1 tx in mempool")
@@ -157,6 +167,10 @@ func TestService_getTx(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestService_OnPayload(t *testing.T) {
 	srv := newTestService(t)
+	// This test directly reads things from srv.messages that normally
+	// is read by internal goroutine started with Start(). So let's
+	// pretend we really did start already.
+	srv.started.Store(true)
 
 	priv, _ := getTestValidator(1)
 	p := new(Payload)
diff --git a/pkg/consensus/recovery_message.go b/pkg/consensus/recovery_message.go
index 030db04ab..8e894b884 100644
--- a/pkg/consensus/recovery_message.go
+++ b/pkg/consensus/recovery_message.go
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ func (p *changeViewCompact) DecodeBinary(r *io.BinReader) {
 	p.ValidatorIndex = r.ReadU16LE()
 	p.OriginalViewNumber = r.ReadB()
 	p.Timestamp = r.ReadU32LE()
-	p.InvocationScript = r.ReadVarBytes()
+	p.InvocationScript = r.ReadVarBytes(1024)
 }
 
 // EncodeBinary implements io.Serializable interface.
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ func (p *commitCompact) DecodeBinary(r *io.BinReader) {
 	p.ViewNumber = r.ReadB()
 	p.ValidatorIndex = r.ReadU16LE()
 	r.ReadBytes(p.Signature[:])
-	p.InvocationScript = r.ReadVarBytes()
+	p.InvocationScript = r.ReadVarBytes(1024)
 }
 
 // EncodeBinary implements io.Serializable interface.
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ func (p *commitCompact) EncodeBinary(w *io.BinWriter) {
 // DecodeBinary implements io.Serializable interface.
 func (p *preparationCompact) DecodeBinary(r *io.BinReader) {
 	p.ValidatorIndex = r.ReadU16LE()
-	p.InvocationScript = r.ReadVarBytes()
+	p.InvocationScript = r.ReadVarBytes(1024)
 }
 
 // EncodeBinary implements io.Serializable interface.
@@ -234,6 +234,7 @@ func (m *recoveryMessage) GetChangeViews(p payload.ConsensusPayload, validators
 			newViewNumber: cv.OriginalViewNumber + 1,
 			timestamp:     cv.Timestamp,
 		})
+		c.message.ViewNumber = cv.OriginalViewNumber
 		c.SetValidatorIndex(cv.ValidatorIndex)
 		c.Witness.InvocationScript = cv.InvocationScript
 		c.Witness.VerificationScript = getVerificationScript(cv.ValidatorIndex, validators)
diff --git a/pkg/core/blockchain_test.go b/pkg/core/blockchain_test.go
index 3d359afdd..f2269dff5 100644
--- a/pkg/core/blockchain_test.go
+++ b/pkg/core/blockchain_test.go
@@ -188,6 +188,7 @@ func TestGetTransaction(t *testing.T) {
 */
 func TestGetClaimable(t *testing.T) {
 	bc := newTestChain(t)
+	defer bc.Close()
 
 	bc.generationAmount = []int{4, 3, 2, 1}
 	bc.decrementInterval = 2
diff --git a/pkg/crypto/keys/publickey.go b/pkg/crypto/keys/publickey.go
index 1d1c0103a..e4df477e1 100644
--- a/pkg/crypto/keys/publickey.go
+++ b/pkg/crypto/keys/publickey.go
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package keys
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
 	"crypto/ecdsa"
 	"crypto/elliptic"
 	"crypto/x509"
@@ -19,6 +18,9 @@ import (
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 )
 
+// coordLen is the number of bytes in serialized X or Y coordinate.
+const coordLen = 32
+
 // PublicKeys is a list of public keys.
 type PublicKeys []*PublicKey
 
@@ -113,23 +115,49 @@ func NewPublicKeyFromBytes(b []byte) (*PublicKey, error) {
 	return pubKey, nil
 }
 
-// Bytes returns the byte array representation of the public key.
-func (p *PublicKey) Bytes() []byte {
+// getBytes serializes X and Y using compressed or uncompressed format.
+func (p *PublicKey) getBytes(compressed bool) []byte {
 	if p.IsInfinity() {
 		return []byte{0x00}
 	}
 
-	var (
-		x       = p.X.Bytes()
-		paddedX = append(bytes.Repeat([]byte{0x00}, 32-len(x)), x...)
-		prefix  = byte(0x03)
-	)
-
-	if p.Y.Bit(0) == 0 {
-		prefix = byte(0x02)
+	var resLen = 1 + coordLen
+	if !compressed {
+		resLen += coordLen
 	}
+	var res = make([]byte, resLen)
+	var prefix byte
 
-	return append([]byte{prefix}, paddedX...)
+	xBytes := p.X.Bytes()
+	copy(res[1+coordLen-len(xBytes):], xBytes)
+	if compressed {
+		if p.Y.Bit(0) == 0 {
+			prefix = 0x02
+		} else {
+			prefix = 0x03
+		}
+	} else {
+		prefix = 0x04
+		yBytes := p.Y.Bytes()
+		copy(res[1+coordLen+coordLen-len(yBytes):], yBytes)
+
+	}
+	res[0] = prefix
+
+	return res
+}
+
+// Bytes returns byte array representation of the public key in compressed
+// form (33 bytes with 0x02 or 0x03 prefix, except infinity which is always 0).
+func (p *PublicKey) Bytes() []byte {
+	return p.getBytes(true)
+}
+
+// UncompressedBytes returns byte array representation of the public key in
+// uncompressed form (65 bytes with 0x04 prefix, except infinity which is
+// always 0).
+func (p *PublicKey) UncompressedBytes() []byte {
+	return p.getBytes(false)
 }
 
 // NewPublicKeyFromASN1 returns a NEO PublicKey from the ASN.1 serialized key.
diff --git a/pkg/crypto/keys/publickey_test.go b/pkg/crypto/keys/publickey_test.go
index a2aa2060b..848808919 100644
--- a/pkg/crypto/keys/publickey_test.go
+++ b/pkg/crypto/keys/publickey_test.go
@@ -112,10 +112,14 @@ func TestPubkeyToAddress(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestDecodeBytes(t *testing.T) {
 	pubKey := getPubKey(t)
-	decodedPubKey := &PublicKey{}
-	err := decodedPubKey.DecodeBytes(pubKey.Bytes())
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.Equal(t, pubKey, decodedPubKey)
+	var testBytesFunction = func(t *testing.T, bytesFunction func() []byte) {
+		decodedPubKey := &PublicKey{}
+		err := decodedPubKey.DecodeBytes(bytesFunction())
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.Equal(t, pubKey, decodedPubKey)
+	}
+	t.Run("compressed", func(t *testing.T) { testBytesFunction(t, pubKey.Bytes) })
+	t.Run("uncompressed", func(t *testing.T) { testBytesFunction(t, pubKey.UncompressedBytes) })
 }
 
 func TestSort(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/pkg/io/binaryReader.go b/pkg/io/binaryReader.go
index fd23355a2..b8c935c80 100644
--- a/pkg/io/binaryReader.go
+++ b/pkg/io/binaryReader.go
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@ import (
 	"reflect"
 )
 
-// maxArraySize is a maximums size of an array which can be decoded.
+// MaxArraySize is the maximum size of an array which can be decoded.
 // It is taken from https://github.com/neo-project/neo/blob/master/neo/IO/Helper.cs#L130
-const maxArraySize = 0x1000000
+const MaxArraySize = 0x1000000
 
 // BinReader is a convenient wrapper around a io.Reader and err object.
 // Used to simplify error handling when reading into a struct with many fields.
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ func (r *BinReader) ReadArray(t interface{}, maxSize ...int) {
 	elemType := sliceType.Elem()
 	isPtr := elemType.Kind() == reflect.Ptr
 
-	ms := maxArraySize
+	ms := MaxArraySize
 	if len(maxSize) != 0 {
 		ms = maxSize[0]
 	}
@@ -168,8 +168,16 @@ func (r *BinReader) ReadVarUint() uint64 {
 
 // ReadVarBytes reads the next set of bytes from the underlying reader.
 // ReadVarUInt() is used to determine how large that slice is
-func (r *BinReader) ReadVarBytes() []byte {
+func (r *BinReader) ReadVarBytes(maxSize ...int) []byte {
 	n := r.ReadVarUint()
+	ms := MaxArraySize
+	if len(maxSize) != 0 {
+		ms = maxSize[0]
+	}
+	if n > uint64(ms) {
+		r.Err = fmt.Errorf("byte-slice is too big (%d)", n)
+		return nil
+	}
 	b := make([]byte, n)
 	r.ReadBytes(b)
 	return b
diff --git a/pkg/io/binaryrw_test.go b/pkg/io/binaryrw_test.go
index d5e1cf8c6..fd998d503 100644
--- a/pkg/io/binaryrw_test.go
+++ b/pkg/io/binaryrw_test.go
@@ -143,6 +143,35 @@ func TestBufBinWriter_Len(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, 1, bw.Len())
 }
 
+func TestBinReader_ReadVarBytes(t *testing.T) {
+	buf := make([]byte, 11)
+	for i := range buf {
+		buf[i] = byte(i)
+	}
+	w := NewBufBinWriter()
+	w.WriteVarBytes(buf)
+	require.NoError(t, w.Err)
+	data := w.Bytes()
+
+	t.Run("NoArguments", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := NewBinReaderFromBuf(data)
+		actual := r.ReadVarBytes()
+		require.NoError(t, r.Err)
+		require.Equal(t, buf, actual)
+	})
+	t.Run("Good", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := NewBinReaderFromBuf(data)
+		actual := r.ReadVarBytes(11)
+		require.NoError(t, r.Err)
+		require.Equal(t, buf, actual)
+	})
+	t.Run("Bad", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r := NewBinReaderFromBuf(data)
+		r.ReadVarBytes(10)
+		require.Error(t, r.Err)
+	})
+}
+
 func TestWriterErrHandling(t *testing.T) {
 	var badio = &badRW{}
 	bw := NewBinWriterFromIO(badio)
diff --git a/pkg/rpc/client/wsclient_test.go b/pkg/rpc/client/wsclient_test.go
index 50fed7ccf..09e331d8e 100644
--- a/pkg/rpc/client/wsclient_test.go
+++ b/pkg/rpc/client/wsclient_test.go
@@ -183,8 +183,8 @@ func TestWSFilteredSubscriptions(t *testing.T) {
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 			},
 			func(t *testing.T, p *request.Params) {
-				param, ok := p.Value(1)
-				require.Equal(t, true, ok)
+				param := p.Value(1)
+				require.NotNil(t, param)
 				require.Equal(t, request.BlockFilterT, param.Type)
 				filt, ok := param.Value.(request.BlockFilter)
 				require.Equal(t, true, ok)
@@ -198,8 +198,8 @@ func TestWSFilteredSubscriptions(t *testing.T) {
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 			},
 			func(t *testing.T, p *request.Params) {
-				param, ok := p.Value(1)
-				require.Equal(t, true, ok)
+				param := p.Value(1)
+				require.NotNil(t, param)
 				require.Equal(t, request.TxFilterT, param.Type)
 				filt, ok := param.Value.(request.TxFilter)
 				require.Equal(t, true, ok)
@@ -214,8 +214,8 @@ func TestWSFilteredSubscriptions(t *testing.T) {
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 			},
 			func(t *testing.T, p *request.Params) {
-				param, ok := p.Value(1)
-				require.Equal(t, true, ok)
+				param := p.Value(1)
+				require.NotNil(t, param)
 				require.Equal(t, request.TxFilterT, param.Type)
 				filt, ok := param.Value.(request.TxFilter)
 				require.Equal(t, true, ok)
@@ -231,8 +231,8 @@ func TestWSFilteredSubscriptions(t *testing.T) {
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 			},
 			func(t *testing.T, p *request.Params) {
-				param, ok := p.Value(1)
-				require.Equal(t, true, ok)
+				param := p.Value(1)
+				require.NotNil(t, param)
 				require.Equal(t, request.TxFilterT, param.Type)
 				filt, ok := param.Value.(request.TxFilter)
 				require.Equal(t, true, ok)
@@ -247,8 +247,8 @@ func TestWSFilteredSubscriptions(t *testing.T) {
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 			},
 			func(t *testing.T, p *request.Params) {
-				param, ok := p.Value(1)
-				require.Equal(t, true, ok)
+				param := p.Value(1)
+				require.NotNil(t, param)
 				require.Equal(t, request.NotificationFilterT, param.Type)
 				filt, ok := param.Value.(request.NotificationFilter)
 				require.Equal(t, true, ok)
@@ -262,8 +262,8 @@ func TestWSFilteredSubscriptions(t *testing.T) {
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 			},
 			func(t *testing.T, p *request.Params) {
-				param, ok := p.Value(1)
-				require.Equal(t, true, ok)
+				param := p.Value(1)
+				require.NotNil(t, param)
 				require.Equal(t, request.ExecutionFilterT, param.Type)
 				filt, ok := param.Value.(request.ExecutionFilter)
 				require.Equal(t, true, ok)
diff --git a/pkg/rpc/request/param.go b/pkg/rpc/request/param.go
index 87af906fc..4918645bc 100644
--- a/pkg/rpc/request/param.go
+++ b/pkg/rpc/request/param.go
@@ -69,12 +69,17 @@ const (
 	Cosigner
 )
 
+var errMissingParameter = errors.New("parameter is missing")
+
 func (p Param) String() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("%v", p.Value)
 }
 
 // GetString returns string value of the parameter.
-func (p Param) GetString() (string, error) {
+func (p *Param) GetString() (string, error) {
+	if p == nil {
+		return "", errMissingParameter
+	}
 	str, ok := p.Value.(string)
 	if !ok {
 		return "", errors.New("not a string")
@@ -82,8 +87,26 @@ func (p Param) GetString() (string, error) {
 	return str, nil
 }
 
+// GetBoolean returns boolean value of the parameter.
+func (p *Param) GetBoolean() bool {
+	if p == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	switch p.Type {
+	case NumberT:
+		return p.Value != 0
+	case StringT:
+		return p.Value != ""
+	default:
+		return true
+	}
+}
+
 // GetInt returns int value of te parameter.
-func (p Param) GetInt() (int, error) {
+func (p *Param) GetInt() (int, error) {
+	if p == nil {
+		return 0, errMissingParameter
+	}
 	i, ok := p.Value.(int)
 	if ok {
 		return i, nil
@@ -94,7 +117,10 @@ func (p Param) GetInt() (int, error) {
 }
 
 // GetArray returns a slice of Params stored in the parameter.
-func (p Param) GetArray() ([]Param, error) {
+func (p *Param) GetArray() ([]Param, error) {
+	if p == nil {
+		return nil, errMissingParameter
+	}
 	a, ok := p.Value.([]Param)
 	if !ok {
 		return nil, errors.New("not an array")
@@ -103,7 +129,7 @@ func (p Param) GetArray() ([]Param, error) {
 }
 
 // GetUint256 returns Uint256 value of the parameter.
-func (p Param) GetUint256() (util.Uint256, error) {
+func (p *Param) GetUint256() (util.Uint256, error) {
 	s, err := p.GetString()
 	if err != nil {
 		return util.Uint256{}, err
@@ -113,7 +139,7 @@ func (p Param) GetUint256() (util.Uint256, error) {
 }
 
 // GetUint160FromHex returns Uint160 value of the parameter encoded in hex.
-func (p Param) GetUint160FromHex() (util.Uint160, error) {
+func (p *Param) GetUint160FromHex() (util.Uint160, error) {
 	s, err := p.GetString()
 	if err != nil {
 		return util.Uint160{}, err
@@ -127,7 +153,7 @@ func (p Param) GetUint160FromHex() (util.Uint160, error) {
 
 // GetUint160FromAddress returns Uint160 value of the parameter that was
 // supplied as an address.
-func (p Param) GetUint160FromAddress() (util.Uint160, error) {
+func (p *Param) GetUint160FromAddress() (util.Uint160, error) {
 	s, err := p.GetString()
 	if err != nil {
 		return util.Uint160{}, err
@@ -137,7 +163,10 @@ func (p Param) GetUint160FromAddress() (util.Uint160, error) {
 }
 
 // GetFuncParam returns current parameter as a function call parameter.
-func (p Param) GetFuncParam() (FuncParam, error) {
+func (p *Param) GetFuncParam() (FuncParam, error) {
+	if p == nil {
+		return FuncParam{}, errMissingParameter
+	}
 	fp, ok := p.Value.(FuncParam)
 	if !ok {
 		return FuncParam{}, errors.New("not a function parameter")
@@ -147,7 +176,7 @@ func (p Param) GetFuncParam() (FuncParam, error) {
 
 // GetBytesHex returns []byte value of the parameter if
 // it is a hex-encoded string.
-func (p Param) GetBytesHex() ([]byte, error) {
+func (p *Param) GetBytesHex() ([]byte, error) {
 	s, err := p.GetString()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -214,6 +243,11 @@ func (p *Param) UnmarshalJSON(data []byte) error {
 		{ArrayT, &[]Param{}},
 	}
 
+	if bytes.Equal(data, []byte("null")) {
+		p.Type = defaultT
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	for _, cur := range attempts {
 		r := bytes.NewReader(data)
 		jd := json.NewDecoder(r)
diff --git a/pkg/rpc/request/param_test.go b/pkg/rpc/request/param_test.go
index 92980516a..70a40b41f 100644
--- a/pkg/rpc/request/param_test.go
+++ b/pkg/rpc/request/param_test.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestParam_UnmarshalJSON(t *testing.T) {
-	msg := `["str1", 123, ["str2", 3], [{"type": "String", "value": "jajaja"}],
+	msg := `["str1", 123, null, ["str2", 3], [{"type": "String", "value": "jajaja"}],
                  {"primary": 1},
                  {"sender": "f84d6a337fbc3d3a201d41da99e86b479e7a2554"},
                  {"cosigner": "f84d6a337fbc3d3a201d41da99e86b479e7a2554"},
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@ func TestParam_UnmarshalJSON(t *testing.T) {
 			Type:  NumberT,
 			Value: 123,
 		},
+		{
+			Type: defaultT,
+		},
 		{
 			Type: ArrayT,
 			Value: []Param{
diff --git a/pkg/rpc/request/params.go b/pkg/rpc/request/params.go
index 8b1945cb1..dd2ac35b9 100644
--- a/pkg/rpc/request/params.go
+++ b/pkg/rpc/request/params.go
@@ -7,20 +7,19 @@ type (
 
 // Value returns the param struct for the given
 // index if it exists.
-func (p Params) Value(index int) (*Param, bool) {
+func (p Params) Value(index int) *Param {
 	if len(p) > index {
-		return &p[index], true
+		return &p[index]
 	}
 
-	return nil, false
+	return nil
 }
 
 // ValueWithType returns the param struct at the given index if it
 // exists and matches the given type.
-func (p Params) ValueWithType(index int, valType paramType) (*Param, bool) {
-	if val, ok := p.Value(index); ok && val.Type == valType {
-		return val, true
+func (p Params) ValueWithType(index int, valType paramType) *Param {
+	if val := p.Value(index); val != nil && val.Type == valType {
+		return val
 	}
-
-	return nil, false
+	return nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/rpc/server/server.go b/pkg/rpc/server/server.go
index d9299574d..36c5e367b 100644
--- a/pkg/rpc/server/server.go
+++ b/pkg/rpc/server/server.go
@@ -386,6 +386,10 @@ func (s *Server) getConnectionCount(_ request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Er
 func (s *Server) blockHashFromParam(param *request.Param) (util.Uint256, *response.Error) {
 	var hash util.Uint256
 
+	if param == nil {
+		return hash, response.ErrInvalidParams
+	}
+
 	switch param.Type {
 	case request.StringT:
 		var err error
@@ -406,11 +410,7 @@ func (s *Server) blockHashFromParam(param *request.Param) (util.Uint256, *respon
 }
 
 func (s *Server) getBlock(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	param, ok := reqParams.Value(0)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	}
-
+	param := reqParams.Value(0)
 	hash, respErr := s.blockHashFromParam(param)
 	if respErr != nil {
 		return nil, respErr
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ func (s *Server) getBlock(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Erro
 		return nil, response.NewInternalServerError(fmt.Sprintf("Problem locating block with hash: %s", hash), err)
 	}
 
-	if len(reqParams) == 2 && reqParams[1].Value == 1 {
+	if reqParams.Value(1).GetBoolean() {
 		return result.NewBlock(block, s.chain), nil
 	}
 	writer := io.NewBufBinWriter()
@@ -430,8 +430,8 @@ func (s *Server) getBlock(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Erro
 }
 
 func (s *Server) getBlockHash(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	param, ok := reqParams.ValueWithType(0, request.NumberT)
-	if !ok {
+	param := reqParams.ValueWithType(0, request.NumberT)
+	if param == nil {
 		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
 	}
 	num, err := s.blockHeightFromParam(param)
@@ -472,8 +472,8 @@ func (s *Server) getRawMempool(_ request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error)
 }
 
 func (s *Server) validateAddress(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	param, ok := reqParams.Value(0)
-	if !ok {
+	param := reqParams.Value(0)
+	if param == nil {
 		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
 	}
 	return validateAddress(param.Value), nil
@@ -481,12 +481,7 @@ func (s *Server) validateAddress(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *respon
 
 // getApplicationLog returns the contract log based on the specified txid.
 func (s *Server) getApplicationLog(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	param, ok := reqParams.Value(0)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	}
-
-	txHash, err := param.GetUint256()
+	txHash, err := reqParams.Value(0).GetUint256()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
 	}
@@ -500,11 +495,7 @@ func (s *Server) getApplicationLog(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *resp
 }
 
 func (s *Server) getNEP5Balances(ps request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	p, ok := ps.ValueWithType(0, request.StringT)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	}
-	u, err := p.GetUint160FromHex()
+	u, err := ps.ValueWithType(0, request.StringT).GetUint160FromHex()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
 	}
@@ -533,11 +524,7 @@ func (s *Server) getNEP5Balances(ps request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Erro
 }
 
 func (s *Server) getNEP5Transfers(ps request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	p, ok := ps.ValueWithType(0, request.StringT)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	}
-	u, err := p.GetUint160FromAddress()
+	u, err := ps.ValueWithType(0, request.StringT).GetUint160FromAddress()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
 	}
@@ -636,6 +623,9 @@ func (s *Server) getDecimals(h util.Uint160, cache map[util.Uint160]int64) (int6
 
 func (s *Server) contractIDFromParam(param *request.Param) (int32, *response.Error) {
 	var result int32
+	if param == nil {
+		return 0, response.ErrInvalidParams
+	}
 	switch param.Type {
 	case request.StringT:
 		var err error
@@ -661,11 +651,7 @@ func (s *Server) contractIDFromParam(param *request.Param) (int32, *response.Err
 }
 
 func (s *Server) getStorage(ps request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	param, ok := ps.Value(0)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	}
-	id, rErr := s.contractIDFromParam(param)
+	id, rErr := s.contractIDFromParam(ps.Value(0))
 	if rErr == response.ErrUnknown {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
@@ -673,12 +659,7 @@ func (s *Server) getStorage(ps request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
 		return nil, rErr
 	}
 
-	param, ok = ps.Value(1)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	}
-
-	key, err := param.GetBytesHex()
+	key, err := ps.Value(1).GetBytesHex()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
 	}
@@ -695,30 +676,17 @@ func (s *Server) getrawtransaction(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *resp
 	var resultsErr *response.Error
 	var results interface{}
 
-	if param0, ok := reqParams.Value(0); !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	} else if txHash, err := param0.GetUint256(); err != nil {
+	if txHash, err := reqParams.Value(0).GetUint256(); err != nil {
 		resultsErr = response.ErrInvalidParams
 	} else if tx, height, err := s.chain.GetTransaction(txHash); err != nil {
 		err = errors.Wrapf(err, "Invalid transaction hash: %s", txHash)
 		return nil, response.NewRPCError("Unknown transaction", err.Error(), err)
-	} else if len(reqParams) >= 2 {
+	} else if reqParams.Value(1).GetBoolean() {
 		_header := s.chain.GetHeaderHash(int(height))
 		header, err := s.chain.GetHeader(_header)
 		if err != nil {
 			resultsErr = response.NewInvalidParamsError(err.Error(), err)
-		}
-
-		param1, _ := reqParams.Value(1)
-		switch v := param1.Value.(type) {
-
-		case int, float64, bool, string:
-			if v == 0 || v == "0" || v == 0.0 || v == false || v == "false" {
-				results = hex.EncodeToString(tx.Bytes())
-			} else {
-				results = result.NewTransactionOutputRaw(tx, header, s.chain)
-			}
-		default:
+		} else {
 			results = result.NewTransactionOutputRaw(tx, header, s.chain)
 		}
 	} else {
@@ -729,12 +697,7 @@ func (s *Server) getrawtransaction(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *resp
 }
 
 func (s *Server) getTransactionHeight(ps request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	p, ok := ps.Value(0)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	}
-
-	h, err := p.GetUint256()
+	h, err := ps.Value(0).GetUint256()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
 	}
@@ -749,27 +712,21 @@ func (s *Server) getTransactionHeight(ps request.Params) (interface{}, *response
 
 // getContractState returns contract state (contract information, according to the contract script hash).
 func (s *Server) getContractState(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	var results interface{}
-
-	param, ok := reqParams.ValueWithType(0, request.StringT)
-	if !ok {
+	scriptHash, err := reqParams.ValueWithType(0, request.StringT).GetUint160FromHex()
+	if err != nil {
 		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	} else if scriptHash, err := param.GetUint160FromHex(); err != nil {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	} else {
-		cs := s.chain.GetContractState(scriptHash)
-		if cs == nil {
-			return nil, response.NewRPCError("Unknown contract", "", nil)
-		}
-		results = cs
 	}
-	return results, nil
+	cs := s.chain.GetContractState(scriptHash)
+	if cs == nil {
+		return nil, response.NewRPCError("Unknown contract", "", nil)
+	}
+	return cs, nil
 }
 
 // getBlockSysFee returns the system fees of the block, based on the specified index.
 func (s *Server) getBlockSysFee(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	param, ok := reqParams.ValueWithType(0, request.NumberT)
-	if !ok {
+	param := reqParams.ValueWithType(0, request.NumberT)
+	if param == nil {
 		return 0, response.ErrInvalidParams
 	}
 
@@ -794,27 +751,13 @@ func (s *Server) getBlockSysFee(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *respons
 
 // getBlockHeader returns the corresponding block header information according to the specified script hash.
 func (s *Server) getBlockHeader(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	var verbose bool
-
-	param, ok := reqParams.Value(0)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	}
-
+	param := reqParams.Value(0)
 	hash, respErr := s.blockHashFromParam(param)
 	if respErr != nil {
 		return nil, respErr
 	}
 
-	param, ok = reqParams.ValueWithType(1, request.NumberT)
-	if ok {
-		v, err := param.GetInt()
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-		}
-		verbose = v != 0
-	}
-
+	verbose := reqParams.Value(1).GetBoolean()
 	h, err := s.chain.GetHeader(hash)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, response.NewRPCError("unknown block", "", nil)
@@ -834,11 +777,7 @@ func (s *Server) getBlockHeader(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *respons
 
 // getUnclaimedGas returns unclaimed GAS amount of the specified address.
 func (s *Server) getUnclaimedGas(ps request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	p, ok := ps.ValueWithType(0, request.StringT)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	}
-	u, err := p.GetUint160FromAddress()
+	u, err := ps.ValueWithType(0, request.StringT).GetUint160FromAddress()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
 	}
@@ -876,11 +815,7 @@ func (s *Server) getValidators(_ request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error)
 
 // invokeFunction implements the `invokeFunction` RPC call.
 func (s *Server) invokeFunction(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	scriptHashHex, ok := reqParams.ValueWithType(0, request.StringT)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	}
-	scriptHash, err := scriptHashHex.GetUint160FromHex()
+	scriptHash, err := reqParams.ValueWithType(0, request.StringT).GetUint160FromHex()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
 	}
@@ -941,11 +876,7 @@ func (s *Server) runScriptInVM(script []byte, tx *transaction.Transaction) *resu
 
 // submitBlock broadcasts a raw block over the NEO network.
 func (s *Server) submitBlock(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	param, ok := reqParams.ValueWithType(0, request.StringT)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	}
-	blockBytes, err := param.GetBytesHex()
+	blockBytes, err := reqParams.ValueWithType(0, request.StringT).GetBytesHex()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
 	}
@@ -1004,11 +935,7 @@ func (s *Server) sendrawtransaction(reqParams request.Params) (interface{}, *res
 
 // subscribe handles subscription requests from websocket clients.
 func (s *Server) subscribe(reqParams request.Params, sub *subscriber) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	p, ok := reqParams.Value(0)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	}
-	streamName, err := p.GetString()
+	streamName, err := reqParams.Value(0).GetString()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
 	}
@@ -1018,8 +945,7 @@ func (s *Server) subscribe(reqParams request.Params, sub *subscriber) (interface
 	}
 	// Optional filter.
 	var filter interface{}
-	p, ok = reqParams.Value(1)
-	if ok {
+	if p := reqParams.Value(1); p != nil {
 		switch event {
 		case response.BlockEventID:
 			if p.Type != request.BlockFilterT {
@@ -1093,11 +1019,7 @@ func (s *Server) subscribeToChannel(event response.EventID) {
 
 // unsubscribe handles unsubscription requests from websocket clients.
 func (s *Server) unsubscribe(reqParams request.Params, sub *subscriber) (interface{}, *response.Error) {
-	p, ok := reqParams.Value(0)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
-	}
-	id, err := p.GetInt()
+	id, err := reqParams.Value(0).GetInt()
 	if err != nil || id < 0 {
 		return nil, response.ErrInvalidParams
 	}