diff --git a/activation/handler_test.go b/activation/handler_test.go
index 29a0f6e3e78..76e8bd22788 100644
--- a/activation/handler_test.go
+++ b/activation/handler_test.go
@@ -224,79 +224,94 @@ func newTestHandler(tb testing.TB, goldenATXID types.ATXID, opts ...HandlerOptio
 	}
 }
 
-func testHandler_PostMalfeasanceProofs(t *testing.T, synced bool) {
-	goldenATXID := types.ATXID{2, 3, 4}
-	atxHdlr := newTestHandler(t, goldenATXID)
-
-	sig, err := signing.NewEdSigner()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+func TestHandler_PostMalfeasanceProofs(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("produced but not published during sync", func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Parallel()
+		goldenATXID := types.ATXID{2, 3, 4}
+		atxHdlr := newTestHandler(t, goldenATXID)
+		sig, err := signing.NewEdSigner()
+		require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	_, err = identities.GetMalfeasanceProof(atxHdlr.cdb, sig.NodeID())
-	require.ErrorIs(t, err, sql.ErrNotFound)
+		malicious, err := identities.IsMalicious(atxHdlr.cdb, sig.NodeID())
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.False(t, malicious)
 
-	atx := newInitialATXv1(t, goldenATXID)
-	atx.Sign(sig)
+		atx := newInitialATXv1(t, goldenATXID)
+		atx.Sign(sig)
 
-	var got mwire.MalfeasanceGossip
-	atxHdlr.mclock.EXPECT().CurrentLayer().Return(atx.PublishEpoch.FirstLayer())
-	atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().VRFNonce(atx.SmesherID, goldenATXID, *atx.VRFNonce, gomock.Any(), atx.NumUnits)
-	atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().
-		Post(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), *atx.CommitmentATXID, gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), atx.NumUnits)
-	atxHdlr.mockFetch.EXPECT().RegisterPeerHashes(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any())
-	atxHdlr.mockFetch.EXPECT().GetPoetProof(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any())
-	atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().InitialNIPostChallengeV1(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), goldenATXID)
-	atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().PositioningAtx(atx.PositioningATXID, gomock.Any(), goldenATXID, atx.PublishEpoch)
-	atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().
-		NIPost(gomock.Any(), atx.SmesherID, goldenATXID, gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), atx.NumUnits, gomock.Any()).
-		Return(0, &verifying.ErrInvalidIndex{Index: 2})
-	atxHdlr.mtortoise.EXPECT().OnMalfeasance(gomock.Any())
-
-	msg := codec.MustEncode(atx)
-	if synced {
+		atxHdlr.mclock.EXPECT().CurrentLayer().Return(atx.PublishEpoch.FirstLayer())
+		atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().VRFNonce(atx.SmesherID, goldenATXID, *atx.VRFNonce, gomock.Any(), atx.NumUnits)
+		atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().
+			Post(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), *atx.CommitmentATXID, gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), atx.NumUnits)
+		atxHdlr.mockFetch.EXPECT().RegisterPeerHashes(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any())
+		atxHdlr.mockFetch.EXPECT().GetPoetProof(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any())
+		atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().InitialNIPostChallengeV1(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), goldenATXID)
+		atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().PositioningAtx(atx.PositioningATXID, gomock.Any(), goldenATXID, atx.PublishEpoch)
+		atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().
+			NIPost(gomock.Any(), atx.SmesherID, goldenATXID, gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), atx.NumUnits, gomock.Any()).
+			Return(0, &verifying.ErrInvalidIndex{Index: 2})
+		atxHdlr.mtortoise.EXPECT().OnMalfeasance(gomock.Any())
+
+		msg := codec.MustEncode(atx)
 		require.NoError(t, atxHdlr.HandleSyncedAtx(context.Background(), types.Hash32{}, p2p.NoPeer, msg))
-	} else {
+
+		// identity is still marked as malicious
+		malicious, err = identities.IsMalicious(atxHdlr.cdb, sig.NodeID())
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.True(t, malicious)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("produced and published during gossip", func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Parallel()
+		goldenATXID := types.ATXID{2, 3, 4}
+		atxHdlr := newTestHandler(t, goldenATXID)
+		sig, err := signing.NewEdSigner()
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		malicious, err := identities.IsMalicious(atxHdlr.cdb, sig.NodeID())
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.False(t, malicious)
+
+		atx := newInitialATXv1(t, goldenATXID)
+		atx.Sign(sig)
+
+		atxHdlr.mclock.EXPECT().CurrentLayer().Return(atx.PublishEpoch.FirstLayer())
+		atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().VRFNonce(atx.SmesherID, goldenATXID, *atx.VRFNonce, gomock.Any(), atx.NumUnits)
+		atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().
+			Post(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), *atx.CommitmentATXID, gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), atx.NumUnits)
+		atxHdlr.mockFetch.EXPECT().RegisterPeerHashes(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any())
+		atxHdlr.mockFetch.EXPECT().GetPoetProof(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any())
+		atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().InitialNIPostChallengeV1(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), goldenATXID)
+		atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().PositioningAtx(atx.PositioningATXID, gomock.Any(), goldenATXID, atx.PublishEpoch)
+		atxHdlr.mValidator.EXPECT().
+			NIPost(gomock.Any(), atx.SmesherID, goldenATXID, gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), atx.NumUnits, gomock.Any()).
+			Return(0, &verifying.ErrInvalidIndex{Index: 2})
+		atxHdlr.mtortoise.EXPECT().OnMalfeasance(gomock.Any())
+		msg := codec.MustEncode(atx)
+
 		postVerifier := NewMockPostVerifier(gomock.NewController(t))
-		mh := NewInvalidPostIndexHandler(atxHdlr.cdb,
-			atxHdlr.logger,
-			atxHdlr.edVerifier,
-			postVerifier,
-		)
-		atxHdlr.mpub.EXPECT().Publish(gomock.Any(), pubsub.MalfeasanceProof, gomock.Any()).DoAndReturn(
-			func(_ context.Context, _ string, data []byte) error {
+		mh := NewInvalidPostIndexHandler(atxHdlr.cdb, atxHdlr.logger, atxHdlr.edVerifier, postVerifier)
+		atxHdlr.mpub.EXPECT().Publish(gomock.Any(), pubsub.MalfeasanceProof, gomock.Any()).
+			DoAndReturn(func(_ context.Context, _ string, data []byte) error {
+				var got mwire.MalfeasanceGossip
 				require.NoError(t, codec.Decode(data, &got))
 				require.Equal(t, mwire.InvalidPostIndex, got.Proof.Type)
-
-				postVerifier.EXPECT().Verify(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
+				postVerifier.EXPECT().
+					Verify(gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).
 					Return(errors.New("invalid"))
 				nodeID, err := mh.Validate(context.Background(), got.Proof.Data)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				require.Equal(t, sig.NodeID(), nodeID)
-
 				p, ok := got.Proof.Data.(*mwire.InvalidPostIndexProof)
 				require.True(t, ok)
 				require.EqualValues(t, 2, p.InvalidIdx)
 				return nil
 			})
 		require.ErrorIs(t, atxHdlr.HandleGossipAtx(context.Background(), p2p.NoPeer, msg), errMaliciousATX)
-	}
-
-	proof, err := identities.GetMalfeasanceProof(atxHdlr.cdb, atx.SmesherID)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.NotNil(t, proof.Received())
-	proof.SetReceived(time.Time{})
-	if !synced {
-		require.Equal(t, got.MalfeasanceProof, *proof)
-		require.Equal(t, atx.PublishEpoch.FirstLayer(), got.MalfeasanceProof.Layer)
-	}
-}
-
-func TestHandler_PostMalfeasanceProofs(t *testing.T) {
-	t.Run("produced but not published during sync", func(t *testing.T) {
-		testHandler_PostMalfeasanceProofs(t, true)
-	})
 
-	t.Run("produced and published during gossip", func(t *testing.T) {
-		testHandler_PostMalfeasanceProofs(t, false)
+		malicious, err = identities.IsMalicious(atxHdlr.cdb, sig.NodeID())
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.True(t, malicious)
 	})
 }
 
@@ -400,31 +415,67 @@ func TestHandler_HandleParallelGossipAtxV1(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, eg.Wait())
 }
 
-func testHandler_HandleDoublePublish(t *testing.T, synced bool) {
-	t.Parallel()
-	goldenATXID := types.ATXID{2, 3, 4}
-	sig, err := signing.NewEdSigner()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	hdlr := newTestHandler(t, goldenATXID)
+func TestHandler_HandleMaliciousAtx(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("produced but not published during sync", func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Parallel()
+		goldenATXID := types.ATXID{2, 3, 4}
+		sig, err := signing.NewEdSigner()
+		require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	atx1 := newInitialATXv1(t, goldenATXID)
-	atx1.Sign(sig)
-	hdlr.expectAtxV1(atx1, sig.NodeID())
-	require.NoError(t, hdlr.HandleGossipAtx(context.Background(), "", codec.MustEncode(atx1)))
+		atxHdlr := newTestHandler(t, goldenATXID)
+		atx1 := newInitialATXv1(t, goldenATXID)
+		atx1.Sign(sig)
+		atxHdlr.expectAtxV1(atx1, sig.NodeID())
+		require.NoError(t, atxHdlr.HandleGossipAtx(context.Background(), "", codec.MustEncode(atx1)))
 
-	atx2 := newInitialATXv1(t, goldenATXID, func(a *wire.ActivationTxV1) { a.NumUnits = atx1.NumUnits + 1 })
-	atx2.Sign(sig)
-	hdlr.expectAtxV1(atx2, sig.NodeID())
-	hdlr.mtortoise.EXPECT().OnMalfeasance(sig.NodeID())
+		malicious, err := identities.IsMalicious(atxHdlr.cdb, sig.NodeID())
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.False(t, malicious)
 
-	msg := codec.MustEncode(atx2)
-	var got mwire.MalfeasanceGossip
-	if synced {
-		require.NoError(t, hdlr.HandleSyncedAtx(context.Background(), types.Hash32{}, "", msg))
-	} else {
-		mh := NewMalfeasanceHandler(hdlr.cdb, hdlr.logger, hdlr.edVerifier)
-		hdlr.mpub.EXPECT().Publish(gomock.Any(), pubsub.MalfeasanceProof, gomock.Any()).DoAndReturn(
-			func(_ context.Context, _ string, data []byte) error {
+		atx2 := newInitialATXv1(t, goldenATXID, func(a *wire.ActivationTxV1) {
+			a.NumUnits = atx1.NumUnits + 1
+		})
+		atx2.Sign(sig)
+		atxHdlr.expectAtxV1(atx2, sig.NodeID())
+
+		atxHdlr.mtortoise.EXPECT().OnMalfeasance(sig.NodeID())
+		msg := codec.MustEncode(atx2)
+		require.NoError(t, atxHdlr.HandleSyncedAtx(context.Background(), types.Hash32{}, "", msg))
+
+		// identity is still marked as malicious
+		malicious, err = identities.IsMalicious(atxHdlr.cdb, sig.NodeID())
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.True(t, malicious)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("produced and published during gossip", func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Parallel()
+		goldenATXID := types.ATXID{2, 3, 4}
+		sig, err := signing.NewEdSigner()
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		atxHdlr := newTestHandler(t, goldenATXID)
+		atx1 := newInitialATXv1(t, goldenATXID)
+		atx1.Sign(sig)
+		atxHdlr.expectAtxV1(atx1, sig.NodeID())
+		require.NoError(t, atxHdlr.HandleGossipAtx(context.Background(), "", codec.MustEncode(atx1)))
+
+		malicious, err := identities.IsMalicious(atxHdlr.cdb, sig.NodeID())
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.False(t, malicious)
+
+		atx2 := newInitialATXv1(t, goldenATXID, func(a *wire.ActivationTxV1) {
+			a.NumUnits = atx1.NumUnits + 1
+		})
+		atx2.Sign(sig)
+		atxHdlr.expectAtxV1(atx2, sig.NodeID())
+		atxHdlr.mtortoise.EXPECT().OnMalfeasance(sig.NodeID())
+		msg := codec.MustEncode(atx2)
+
+		mh := NewMalfeasanceHandler(atxHdlr.cdb, atxHdlr.logger, atxHdlr.edVerifier)
+		atxHdlr.mpub.EXPECT().Publish(gomock.Any(), pubsub.MalfeasanceProof, gomock.Any()).
+			DoAndReturn(func(_ context.Context, _ string, data []byte) error {
+				var got mwire.MalfeasanceGossip
 				require.NoError(t, codec.Decode(data, &got))
 				require.Equal(t, mwire.MultipleATXs, got.Proof.Type)
 				nodeID, err := mh.Validate(context.Background(), got.Proof.Data)
@@ -432,25 +483,11 @@ func testHandler_HandleDoublePublish(t *testing.T, synced bool) {
 				require.Equal(t, sig.NodeID(), nodeID)
 				return nil
 			})
-		require.ErrorIs(t, hdlr.HandleGossipAtx(context.Background(), p2p.NoPeer, msg), errMaliciousATX)
-	}
-
-	proof, err := identities.GetMalfeasanceProof(hdlr.cdb, sig.NodeID())
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.NotNil(t, proof)
-	if !synced {
-		proof.SetReceived(time.Time{})
-		require.Equal(t, got.MalfeasanceProof, *proof)
-	}
-}
-
-func TestHandler_HandleMaliciousAtx(t *testing.T) {
-	t.Run("produced but not published during sync", func(t *testing.T) {
-		testHandler_HandleDoublePublish(t, true)
-	})
+		require.ErrorIs(t, atxHdlr.HandleGossipAtx(context.Background(), p2p.NoPeer, msg), errMaliciousATX)
 
-	t.Run("produced and published during gossip", func(t *testing.T) {
-		testHandler_HandleDoublePublish(t, false)
+		malicious, err = identities.IsMalicious(atxHdlr.cdb, sig.NodeID())
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.True(t, malicious)
 	})
 }
 
diff --git a/api/grpcserver/activation_service.go b/api/grpcserver/activation_service.go
index 4ba005a9706..4b5bb0c95ec 100644
--- a/api/grpcserver/activation_service.go
+++ b/api/grpcserver/activation_service.go
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func (s *activationService) Get(ctx context.Context, request *pb.GetRequest) (*p
 		return nil, status.Error(codes.Internal, "couldn't get previous ATXs")
 	}
 
-	proof, err := s.atxProvider.GetMalfeasanceProof(atx.SmesherID)
+	proof, err := s.atxProvider.MalfeasanceProof(atx.SmesherID)
 	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, sql.ErrNotFound) {
 		ctxzap.Error(ctx, "failed to get malfeasance proof",
 			zap.Stringer("smesher", atx.SmesherID),
diff --git a/api/grpcserver/activation_service_test.go b/api/grpcserver/activation_service_test.go
index 3339cdb4dba..756501ac856 100644
--- a/api/grpcserver/activation_service_test.go
+++ b/api/grpcserver/activation_service_test.go
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ func TestGet_HappyPath(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	atx.SetID(id)
 	atxProvider.EXPECT().GetAtx(id).Return(&atx, nil)
-	atxProvider.EXPECT().GetMalfeasanceProof(gomock.Any()).Return(nil, sql.ErrNotFound)
+	atxProvider.EXPECT().MalfeasanceProof(gomock.Any()).Return(nil, sql.ErrNotFound)
 	atxProvider.EXPECT().Previous(id).Return(previous, nil)
 
 	response, err := activationService.Get(context.Background(), &pb.GetRequest{Id: id.Bytes()})
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ func TestGet_IdentityCanceled(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	atx.SetID(id)
 	atxProvider.EXPECT().GetAtx(id).Return(&atx, nil)
-	atxProvider.EXPECT().GetMalfeasanceProof(smesher).Return(proof, nil)
+	atxProvider.EXPECT().MalfeasanceProof(smesher).Return(proof, nil)
 	atxProvider.EXPECT().Previous(id).Return([]types.ATXID{previous}, nil)
 
 	response, err := activationService.Get(context.Background(), &pb.GetRequest{Id: id.Bytes()})
diff --git a/api/grpcserver/interface.go b/api/grpcserver/interface.go
index bfca33b78b9..d8a4b5f5bbb 100644
--- a/api/grpcserver/interface.go
+++ b/api/grpcserver/interface.go
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ type atxProvider interface {
 	GetAtx(id types.ATXID) (*types.ActivationTx, error)
 	Previous(id types.ATXID) ([]types.ATXID, error)
 	MaxHeightAtx() (types.ATXID, error)
-	GetMalfeasanceProof(id types.NodeID) (*wire.MalfeasanceProof, error)
+	MalfeasanceProof(id types.NodeID) (*wire.MalfeasanceProof, error)
 }
 
 type postState interface {
diff --git a/api/grpcserver/mesh_service.go b/api/grpcserver/mesh_service.go
index 762e7891de1..7d08ff40374 100644
--- a/api/grpcserver/mesh_service.go
+++ b/api/grpcserver/mesh_service.go
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ func (s *MeshService) MalfeasanceQuery(
 			fmt.Sprintf("invalid smesher id length (%d), expected (%d)", l, types.NodeIDSize))
 	}
 	id := types.BytesToNodeID(parsed)
-	proof, err := s.cdb.GetMalfeasanceProof(id)
+	proof, err := s.cdb.MalfeasanceProof(id)
 	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, sql.ErrNotFound) {
 		return nil, status.Error(codes.Internal, err.Error())
 	}
diff --git a/api/grpcserver/mocks.go b/api/grpcserver/mocks.go
index 1dab284f2ba..a9eab2e4d6b 100644
--- a/api/grpcserver/mocks.go
+++ b/api/grpcserver/mocks.go
@@ -912,41 +912,41 @@ func (c *MockatxProviderGetAtxCall) DoAndReturn(f func(types.ATXID) (*types.Acti
 	return c
 }
 
-// GetMalfeasanceProof mocks base method.
-func (m *MockatxProvider) GetMalfeasanceProof(id types.NodeID) (*wire.MalfeasanceProof, error) {
+// MalfeasanceProof mocks base method.
+func (m *MockatxProvider) MalfeasanceProof(id types.NodeID) (*wire.MalfeasanceProof, error) {
 	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "GetMalfeasanceProof", id)
+	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "MalfeasanceProof", id)
 	ret0, _ := ret[0].(*wire.MalfeasanceProof)
 	ret1, _ := ret[1].(error)
 	return ret0, ret1
 }
 
-// GetMalfeasanceProof indicates an expected call of GetMalfeasanceProof.
-func (mr *MockatxProviderMockRecorder) GetMalfeasanceProof(id any) *MockatxProviderGetMalfeasanceProofCall {
+// MalfeasanceProof indicates an expected call of MalfeasanceProof.
+func (mr *MockatxProviderMockRecorder) MalfeasanceProof(id any) *MockatxProviderMalfeasanceProofCall {
 	mr.mock.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	call := mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "GetMalfeasanceProof", reflect.TypeOf((*MockatxProvider)(nil).GetMalfeasanceProof), id)
-	return &MockatxProviderGetMalfeasanceProofCall{Call: call}
+	call := mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "MalfeasanceProof", reflect.TypeOf((*MockatxProvider)(nil).MalfeasanceProof), id)
+	return &MockatxProviderMalfeasanceProofCall{Call: call}
 }
 
-// MockatxProviderGetMalfeasanceProofCall wrap *gomock.Call
-type MockatxProviderGetMalfeasanceProofCall struct {
+// MockatxProviderMalfeasanceProofCall wrap *gomock.Call
+type MockatxProviderMalfeasanceProofCall struct {
 	*gomock.Call
 }
 
 // Return rewrite *gomock.Call.Return
-func (c *MockatxProviderGetMalfeasanceProofCall) Return(arg0 *wire.MalfeasanceProof, arg1 error) *MockatxProviderGetMalfeasanceProofCall {
+func (c *MockatxProviderMalfeasanceProofCall) Return(arg0 *wire.MalfeasanceProof, arg1 error) *MockatxProviderMalfeasanceProofCall {
 	c.Call = c.Call.Return(arg0, arg1)
 	return c
 }
 
 // Do rewrite *gomock.Call.Do
-func (c *MockatxProviderGetMalfeasanceProofCall) Do(f func(types.NodeID) (*wire.MalfeasanceProof, error)) *MockatxProviderGetMalfeasanceProofCall {
+func (c *MockatxProviderMalfeasanceProofCall) Do(f func(types.NodeID) (*wire.MalfeasanceProof, error)) *MockatxProviderMalfeasanceProofCall {
 	c.Call = c.Call.Do(f)
 	return c
 }
 
 // DoAndReturn rewrite *gomock.Call.DoAndReturn
-func (c *MockatxProviderGetMalfeasanceProofCall) DoAndReturn(f func(types.NodeID) (*wire.MalfeasanceProof, error)) *MockatxProviderGetMalfeasanceProofCall {
+func (c *MockatxProviderMalfeasanceProofCall) DoAndReturn(f func(types.NodeID) (*wire.MalfeasanceProof, error)) *MockatxProviderMalfeasanceProofCall {
 	c.Call = c.Call.DoAndReturn(f)
 	return c
 }
diff --git a/datastore/store.go b/datastore/store.go
index 073c7bacdc9..3eaa6db83cf 100644
--- a/datastore/store.go
+++ b/datastore/store.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"go.uber.org/zap"
 
 	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/atxsdata"
+	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/codec"
 	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/common/types"
 	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/malfeasance/wire"
 	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/proposals/store"
@@ -119,7 +120,7 @@ func (db *CachedDB) MalfeasanceCacheSize() int {
 }
 
 // GetMalfeasanceProof gets the malfeasance proof associated with the NodeID.
-func (db *CachedDB) GetMalfeasanceProof(id types.NodeID) (*wire.MalfeasanceProof, error) {
+func (db *CachedDB) MalfeasanceProof(id types.NodeID) (*wire.MalfeasanceProof, error) {
 	if id == types.EmptyNodeID {
 		panic("invalid argument to GetMalfeasanceProof")
 	}
@@ -133,10 +134,13 @@ func (db *CachedDB) GetMalfeasanceProof(id types.NodeID) (*wire.MalfeasanceProof
 		return proof, nil
 	}
 
-	proof, err := identities.GetMalfeasanceProof(db.Database, id)
+	var blob sql.Blob
+	err := identities.LoadMalfeasanceBlob(context.Background(), db.Database, id.Bytes(), &blob)
 	if err != nil && err != sql.ErrNotFound {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	proof := &wire.MalfeasanceProof{}
+	codec.MustDecode(blob.Bytes, proof)
 	db.malfeasanceCache.Add(id, proof)
 	return proof, err
 }
@@ -203,7 +207,7 @@ func (db *CachedDB) IterateMalfeasanceProofs(
 		return err
 	}
 	for _, id := range ids {
-		proof, err := db.GetMalfeasanceProof(id)
+		proof, err := db.MalfeasanceProof(id)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/datastore/store_test.go b/datastore/store_test.go
index 043bc3d0d4d..a5f474a3422 100644
--- a/datastore/store_test.go
+++ b/datastore/store_test.go
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ func TestMalfeasanceProof_Dishonest(t *testing.T) {
 	cdb.CacheMalfeasanceProof(nodeID1, proof)
 	require.Equal(t, 1, cdb.MalfeasanceCacheSize())
 
-	got, err := cdb.GetMalfeasanceProof(nodeID1)
+	got, err := cdb.MalfeasanceProof(nodeID1)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.EqualValues(t, proof, got)
 }
diff --git a/malfeasance/handler_test.go b/malfeasance/handler_test.go
index 86532ce6771..0a9d09d40f3 100644
--- a/malfeasance/handler_test.go
+++ b/malfeasance/handler_test.go
@@ -146,9 +146,9 @@ func TestHandler_HandleMalfeasanceProof(t *testing.T) {
 		err := h.HandleMalfeasanceProof(context.Background(), "peer", codec.MustEncode(gossip))
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
-		malProof, err := identities.GetMalfeasanceProof(h.db, nodeID)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		require.NotEqual(t, gossip.MalfeasanceProof, *malProof)
+		var blob sql.Blob
+		require.NoError(t, identities.LoadMalfeasanceBlob(context.Background(), h.db, nodeID.Bytes(), &blob))
+		require.Equal(t, codec.MustEncode(&gossip.MalfeasanceProof), blob.Bytes)
 	})
 
 	t.Run("new proof is noop", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -187,10 +187,9 @@ func TestHandler_HandleMalfeasanceProof(t *testing.T) {
 		err := h.HandleMalfeasanceProof(context.Background(), "peer", codec.MustEncode(gossip))
 		require.ErrorIs(t, ErrKnownProof, err)
 
-		malProof, err := identities.GetMalfeasanceProof(h.db, nodeID)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		malProof.SetReceived(time.Time{})
-		require.Equal(t, proof, malProof)
+		var blob sql.Blob
+		require.NoError(t, identities.LoadMalfeasanceBlob(context.Background(), h.db, nodeID.Bytes(), &blob))
+		require.Equal(t, codec.MustEncode(proof), blob.Bytes)
 	})
 }
 
@@ -318,19 +317,15 @@ func TestHandler_HandleSyncedMalfeasanceProof(t *testing.T) {
 				Data: &wire.AtxProof{},
 			},
 		}
+		proofBytes := codec.MustEncode(proof)
 
 		h.mockTrt.EXPECT().OnMalfeasance(nodeID)
-		err := h.HandleSyncedMalfeasanceProof(
-			context.Background(),
-			types.Hash32(nodeID),
-			"peer",
-			codec.MustEncode(proof),
-		)
+		err := h.HandleSyncedMalfeasanceProof(context.Background(), types.Hash32(nodeID), "peer", proofBytes)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
-		malProof, err := identities.GetMalfeasanceProof(h.db, nodeID)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		require.NotEqual(t, proof, *malProof)
+		var blob sql.Blob
+		require.NoError(t, identities.LoadMalfeasanceBlob(context.Background(), h.db, nodeID.Bytes(), &blob))
+		require.Equal(t, proofBytes, blob.Bytes)
 	})
 
 	t.Run("new proof is noop", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -344,7 +339,8 @@ func TestHandler_HandleSyncedMalfeasanceProof(t *testing.T) {
 				Data: &wire.BallotProof{},
 			},
 		}
-		identities.SetMalicious(h.db, nodeID, codec.MustEncode(proof), time.Now())
+		proofBytes := codec.MustEncode(proof)
+		identities.SetMalicious(h.db, nodeID, proofBytes, time.Now())
 
 		ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
 		handler := NewMockHandlerV1(ctrl)
@@ -363,18 +359,14 @@ func TestHandler_HandleSyncedMalfeasanceProof(t *testing.T) {
 				Data: &wire.AtxProof{},
 			},
 		}
+		newProofBytes := codec.MustEncode(newProof)
+		require.NotEqual(t, proofBytes, newProofBytes)
 
-		err := h.HandleSyncedMalfeasanceProof(
-			context.Background(),
-			types.Hash32(nodeID),
-			"peer",
-			codec.MustEncode(newProof),
-		)
+		err := h.HandleSyncedMalfeasanceProof(context.Background(), types.Hash32(nodeID), "peer", newProofBytes)
 		require.ErrorIs(t, ErrKnownProof, err)
 
-		malProof, err := identities.GetMalfeasanceProof(h.db, nodeID)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-		malProof.SetReceived(time.Time{})
-		require.Equal(t, proof, malProof)
+		var blob sql.Blob
+		require.NoError(t, identities.LoadMalfeasanceBlob(context.Background(), h.db, nodeID.Bytes(), &blob))
+		require.Equal(t, proofBytes, blob.Bytes)
 	})
 }
diff --git a/mesh/mesh_test.go b/mesh/mesh_test.go
index f32362948ca..a355ff590d1 100644
--- a/mesh/mesh_test.go
+++ b/mesh/mesh_test.go
@@ -379,9 +379,10 @@ func TestMesh_MaliciousBallots(t *testing.T) {
 	mal, err := identities.IsMalicious(tm.cdb, sig.NodeID())
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.False(t, mal)
-	saved, err := identities.GetMalfeasanceProof(tm.cdb, sig.NodeID())
-	require.ErrorIs(t, err, sql.ErrNotFound)
-	require.Nil(t, saved)
+
+	malicious, err := identities.IsMalicious(tm.cdb, sig.NodeID())
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.False(t, malicious)
 
 	// second one will create a MalfeasanceProof
 	tm.mockTortoise.EXPECT().OnMalfeasance(sig.NodeID())
diff --git a/sql/identities/identities.go b/sql/identities/identities.go
index ff4d9d804e0..257bec03ee6 100644
--- a/sql/identities/identities.go
+++ b/sql/identities/identities.go
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@ import (
 
 	sqlite "github.com/go-llsqlite/crawshaw"
 
-	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/codec"
 	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/common/types"
-	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/malfeasance/wire"
 	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/sql"
 )
 
@@ -49,35 +47,6 @@ func IsMalicious(db sql.Executor, nodeID types.NodeID) (bool, error) {
 	return rows > 0, nil
 }
 
-// GetMalfeasanceProof returns the malfeasance proof for the given identity.
-func GetMalfeasanceProof(db sql.Executor, nodeID types.NodeID) (*wire.MalfeasanceProof, error) {
-	var (
-		data     []byte
-		received time.Time
-	)
-	rows, err := db.Exec("select proof, received from identities where pubkey = ?1 AND proof IS NOT NULL;",
-		func(stmt *sql.Statement) {
-			stmt.BindBytes(1, nodeID.Bytes())
-		}, func(stmt *sql.Statement) bool {
-			data = make([]byte, stmt.ColumnLen(0))
-			stmt.ColumnBytes(0, data[:])
-			received = time.Unix(0, stmt.ColumnInt64(1)).Local()
-			return true
-		})
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("proof %v: %w", nodeID, err)
-	}
-	if rows == 0 {
-		return nil, sql.ErrNotFound
-	}
-	var proof wire.MalfeasanceProof
-	if err = codec.Decode(data, &proof); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	proof.SetReceived(received.Local())
-	return &proof, nil
-}
-
 // GetBlobSizes returns the sizes of the blobs corresponding to malfeasance proofs for the
 // specified identities. For non-existent proofs, the corresponding items are set to -1.
 func GetBlobSizes(db sql.Executor, ids [][]byte) (sizes []int, err error) {
@@ -85,8 +54,12 @@ func GetBlobSizes(db sql.Executor, ids [][]byte) (sizes []int, err error) {
 }
 
 // LoadMalfeasanceBlob returns the malfeasance proof in raw bytes for the given identity.
-func LoadMalfeasanceBlob(ctx context.Context, db sql.Executor, nodeID []byte, blob *sql.Blob) error {
-	return sql.LoadBlob(db, "select proof from identities where pubkey = ?1;", nodeID, blob)
+func LoadMalfeasanceBlob(_ context.Context, db sql.Executor, nodeID []byte, blob *sql.Blob) error {
+	err := sql.LoadBlob(db, "select proof from identities where pubkey = ?1;", nodeID, blob)
+	if err == nil && len(blob.Bytes) == 0 {
+		return sql.ErrNotFound
+	}
+	return err
 }
 
 // IterateMalicious invokes the specified callback for each malicious node ID.
@@ -117,20 +90,20 @@ func IterateMalicious(
 }
 
 // GetMalicious retrieves malicious node IDs from the database.
-func GetMalicious(db sql.Executor) (nids []types.NodeID, err error) {
+func GetMalicious(db sql.Executor) (ids []types.NodeID, err error) {
 	if err = IterateMalicious(db, func(total int, nid types.NodeID) error {
-		if nids == nil {
-			nids = make([]types.NodeID, 0, total)
+		if ids == nil {
+			ids = make([]types.NodeID, 0, total)
 		}
-		nids = append(nids, nid)
+		ids = append(ids, nid)
 		return nil
 	}); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if len(nids) != cap(nids) {
+	if len(ids) != cap(ids) {
 		panic("BUG: bad malicious node ID count")
 	}
-	return nids, nil
+	return ids, nil
 }
 
 // MarriageATX obtains the marriage ATX for given ID.
@@ -186,7 +159,7 @@ func Marriage(db sql.Executor, id types.NodeID) (*MarriageData, error) {
 }
 
 // Set marriage inserts marriage data for given identity.
-// If identitty doesn't exist - create it.
+// If identity doesn't exist - create it.
 func SetMarriage(db sql.Executor, id types.NodeID, m *MarriageData) error {
 	_, err := db.Exec(`
 	INSERT INTO identities (pubkey, marriage_atx, marriage_idx, marriage_target, marriage_signature)
diff --git a/sql/identities/identities_test.go b/sql/identities/identities_test.go
index 0d18ef5b79b..555a9be270b 100644
--- a/sql/identities/identities_test.go
+++ b/sql/identities/identities_test.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package identities
+package identities_test
 
 import (
 	"context"
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/common/types"
 	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/malfeasance/wire"
 	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/sql"
+	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/sql/identities"
 	"github.com/spacemeshos/go-spacemesh/sql/statesql"
 )
 
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ func TestMalicious(t *testing.T) {
 	db := statesql.InMemory()
 
 	nodeID := types.NodeID{1, 1, 1, 1}
-	mal, err := IsMalicious(db, nodeID)
+	mal, err := identities.IsMalicious(db, nodeID)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.False(t, mal)
 
@@ -40,29 +41,26 @@ func TestMalicious(t *testing.T) {
 			Data: &ballotProof,
 		},
 	}
-	now := time.Now()
-	data, err := codec.Encode(proof)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.NoError(t, SetMalicious(db, nodeID, data, now))
+	require.NoError(t, identities.SetMalicious(db, nodeID, codec.MustEncode(proof), time.Now()))
 
-	mal, err = IsMalicious(db, nodeID)
+	mal, err = identities.IsMalicious(db, nodeID)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.True(t, mal)
 
-	mal, err = IsMalicious(db, types.RandomNodeID())
+	mal, err = identities.IsMalicious(db, types.RandomNodeID())
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.False(t, mal)
 
-	got, err := GetMalfeasanceProof(db, nodeID)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.Equal(t, now.UTC(), got.Received().UTC())
-	got.SetReceived(time.Time{})
-	require.EqualValues(t, proof, got)
+	var blob sql.Blob
+	require.NoError(t, identities.LoadMalfeasanceBlob(context.Background(), db, nodeID.Bytes(), &blob))
+	got := &wire.MalfeasanceProof{}
+	codec.MustDecode(blob.Bytes, got)
+	require.Equal(t, proof, got)
 }
 
 func Test_GetMalicious(t *testing.T) {
 	db := statesql.InMemory()
-	got, err := GetMalicious(db)
+	got, err := identities.GetMalicious(db)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Nil(t, got)
 
@@ -71,9 +69,9 @@ func Test_GetMalicious(t *testing.T) {
 	for i := 0; i < numBad; i++ {
 		nid := types.NodeID{byte(i + 1)}
 		bad = append(bad, nid)
-		require.NoError(t, SetMalicious(db, nid, types.RandomBytes(11), time.Now().Local()))
+		require.NoError(t, identities.SetMalicious(db, nid, types.RandomBytes(11), time.Now().Local()))
 	}
-	got, err = GetMalicious(db)
+	got, err = identities.GetMalicious(db)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, bad, got)
 }
@@ -84,24 +82,24 @@ func TestLoadMalfeasanceBlob(t *testing.T) {
 
 	nid1 := types.RandomNodeID()
 	proof1 := types.RandomBytes(11)
-	SetMalicious(db, nid1, proof1, time.Now().Local())
+	identities.SetMalicious(db, nid1, proof1, time.Now().Local())
 
 	var blob1 sql.Blob
-	require.NoError(t, LoadMalfeasanceBlob(ctx, db, nid1.Bytes(), &blob1))
+	require.NoError(t, identities.LoadMalfeasanceBlob(ctx, db, nid1.Bytes(), &blob1))
 	require.Equal(t, proof1, blob1.Bytes)
 
-	blobSizes, err := GetBlobSizes(db, [][]byte{nid1.Bytes()})
+	blobSizes, err := identities.GetBlobSizes(db, [][]byte{nid1.Bytes()})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, []int{len(blob1.Bytes)}, blobSizes)
 
 	nid2 := types.RandomNodeID()
 	proof2 := types.RandomBytes(12)
-	SetMalicious(db, nid2, proof2, time.Now().Local())
+	identities.SetMalicious(db, nid2, proof2, time.Now().Local())
 
 	var blob2 sql.Blob
-	require.NoError(t, LoadMalfeasanceBlob(ctx, db, nid2.Bytes(), &blob2))
+	require.NoError(t, identities.LoadMalfeasanceBlob(ctx, db, nid2.Bytes(), &blob2))
 	require.Equal(t, proof2, blob2.Bytes)
-	blobSizes, err = GetBlobSizes(db, [][]byte{
+	blobSizes, err = identities.GetBlobSizes(db, [][]byte{
 		nid1.Bytes(),
 		nid2.Bytes(),
 	})
@@ -109,9 +107,9 @@ func TestLoadMalfeasanceBlob(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, []int{len(blob1.Bytes), len(blob2.Bytes)}, blobSizes)
 
 	noSuchID := types.RandomATXID()
-	require.ErrorIs(t, LoadMalfeasanceBlob(ctx, db, noSuchID[:], &sql.Blob{}), sql.ErrNotFound)
+	require.ErrorIs(t, identities.LoadMalfeasanceBlob(ctx, db, noSuchID[:], &sql.Blob{}), sql.ErrNotFound)
 
-	blobSizes, err = GetBlobSizes(db, [][]byte{
+	blobSizes, err = identities.GetBlobSizes(db, [][]byte{
 		nid1.Bytes(),
 		noSuchID.Bytes(),
 		nid2.Bytes(),
@@ -127,7 +125,7 @@ func TestMarriageATX(t *testing.T) {
 		db := statesql.InMemory()
 
 		id := types.RandomNodeID()
-		_, err := MarriageATX(db, id)
+		_, err := identities.MarriageATX(db, id)
 		require.ErrorIs(t, err, sql.ErrNotFound)
 	})
 	t.Run("married", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -135,14 +133,14 @@ func TestMarriageATX(t *testing.T) {
 		db := statesql.InMemory()
 
 		id := types.RandomNodeID()
-		marriage := MarriageData{
+		marriage := identities.MarriageData{
 			ATX:       types.RandomATXID(),
 			Signature: types.RandomEdSignature(),
 			Index:     2,
 			Target:    types.RandomNodeID(),
 		}
-		require.NoError(t, SetMarriage(db, id, &marriage))
-		got, err := MarriageATX(db, id)
+		require.NoError(t, identities.SetMarriage(db, id, &marriage))
+		got, err := identities.MarriageATX(db, id)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Equal(t, marriage.ATX, got)
 	})
@@ -154,14 +152,14 @@ func TestMarriage(t *testing.T) {
 	db := statesql.InMemory()
 
 	id := types.RandomNodeID()
-	marriage := MarriageData{
+	marriage := identities.MarriageData{
 		ATX:       types.RandomATXID(),
 		Signature: types.RandomEdSignature(),
 		Index:     2,
 		Target:    types.RandomNodeID(),
 	}
-	require.NoError(t, SetMarriage(db, id, &marriage))
-	got, err := Marriage(db, id)
+	require.NoError(t, identities.SetMarriage(db, id, &marriage))
+	got, err := identities.Marriage(db, id)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, marriage, *got)
 }
@@ -179,7 +177,7 @@ func TestEquivocationSet(t *testing.T) {
 			types.RandomNodeID(),
 		}
 		for i, id := range ids {
-			err := SetMarriage(db, id, &MarriageData{
+			err := identities.SetMarriage(db, id, &identities.MarriageData{
 				ATX:   atx,
 				Index: i,
 			})
@@ -187,10 +185,10 @@ func TestEquivocationSet(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 
 		for _, id := range ids {
-			mAtx, err := MarriageATX(db, id)
+			mAtx, err := identities.MarriageATX(db, id)
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 			require.Equal(t, atx, mAtx)
-			set, err := EquivocationSet(db, id)
+			set, err := identities.EquivocationSet(db, id)
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 			require.ElementsMatch(t, ids, set)
 		}
@@ -199,7 +197,7 @@ func TestEquivocationSet(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Parallel()
 		db := statesql.InMemory()
 		id := types.RandomNodeID()
-		set, err := EquivocationSet(db, id)
+		set, err := identities.EquivocationSet(db, id)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Equal(t, []types.NodeID{id}, set)
 	})
@@ -212,7 +210,7 @@ func TestEquivocationSet(t *testing.T) {
 			types.RandomNodeID(),
 		}
 		for i, id := range ids {
-			err := SetMarriage(db, id, &MarriageData{
+			err := identities.SetMarriage(db, id, &identities.MarriageData{
 				ATX:   atx,
 				Index: i,
 			})
@@ -220,19 +218,19 @@ func TestEquivocationSet(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 
 		for _, id := range ids {
-			set, err := EquivocationSet(db, id)
+			set, err := identities.EquivocationSet(db, id)
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 			require.ElementsMatch(t, ids, set)
 		}
 
 		// try to marry via another random ATX
 		// the set should remain intact
-		err := SetMarriage(db, ids[0], &MarriageData{
+		err := identities.SetMarriage(db, ids[0], &identities.MarriageData{
 			ATX: types.RandomATXID(),
 		})
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		for _, id := range ids {
-			set, err := EquivocationSet(db, id)
+			set, err := identities.EquivocationSet(db, id)
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 			require.ElementsMatch(t, ids, set)
 		}
@@ -241,17 +239,18 @@ func TestEquivocationSet(t *testing.T) {
 		db := statesql.InMemory()
 		atx := types.RandomATXID()
 		id := types.RandomNodeID()
-		require.NoError(t, SetMarriage(db, id, &MarriageData{ATX: atx}))
+		require.NoError(t, identities.SetMarriage(db, id, &identities.MarriageData{ATX: atx}))
 
-		malicious, err := IsMalicious(db, id)
+		malicious, err := identities.IsMalicious(db, id)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.False(t, malicious)
 
-		proof, err := GetMalfeasanceProof(db, id)
+		var blob sql.Blob
+		err = identities.LoadMalfeasanceBlob(context.Background(), db, id.Bytes(), &blob)
 		require.ErrorIs(t, err, sql.ErrNotFound)
-		require.Nil(t, proof)
+		require.Nil(t, blob.Bytes)
 
-		ids, err := GetMalicious(db)
+		ids, err := identities.GetMalicious(db)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Empty(t, ids)
 	})
@@ -264,13 +263,13 @@ func TestEquivocationSet(t *testing.T) {
 			types.RandomNodeID(),
 		}
 		for i, id := range ids {
-			require.NoError(t, SetMarriage(db, id, &MarriageData{ATX: atx, Index: i}))
+			require.NoError(t, identities.SetMarriage(db, id, &identities.MarriageData{ATX: atx, Index: i}))
 		}
 
-		require.NoError(t, SetMalicious(db, ids[0], []byte("proof"), time.Now()))
+		require.NoError(t, identities.SetMalicious(db, ids[0], []byte("proof"), time.Now()))
 
 		for _, id := range ids {
-			malicious, err := IsMalicious(db, id)
+			malicious, err := identities.IsMalicious(db, id)
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 			require.True(t, malicious)
 		}
@@ -290,15 +289,15 @@ func TestEquivocationSetByMarriageATX(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		atx := types.RandomATXID()
 		for i, id := range ids {
-			require.NoError(t, SetMarriage(db, id, &MarriageData{ATX: atx, Index: i}))
+			require.NoError(t, identities.SetMarriage(db, id, &identities.MarriageData{ATX: atx, Index: i}))
 		}
-		set, err := EquivocationSetByMarriageATX(db, atx)
+		set, err := identities.EquivocationSetByMarriageATX(db, atx)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Equal(t, ids, set)
 	})
 	t.Run("empty set", func(t *testing.T) {
 		db := statesql.InMemory()
-		set, err := EquivocationSetByMarriageATX(db, types.RandomATXID())
+		set, err := identities.EquivocationSetByMarriageATX(db, types.RandomATXID())
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Empty(t, set)
 	})