diff --git a/client/app/upgrades/v1_3_0/constants.go b/client/app/upgrades/v1_3_0/constants.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4ba1bd13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/app/upgrades/v1_3_0/constants.go
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+//nolint:revive,stylecheck // versioning
+package v_1_3_0
+
+import (
+	storetypes "cosmossdk.io/store/types"
+
+	"github.com/piplabs/story/client/app/upgrades"
+)
+
+const (
+	UpgradeName = "v1.3.0"
+)
+
+var Upgrade = upgrades.Upgrade{
+	UpgradeName:          UpgradeName,
+	CreateUpgradeHandler: CreateUpgradeHandler,
+	StoreUpgrades:        storetypes.StoreUpgrades{},
+}
diff --git a/client/app/upgrades/v1_3_0/upgrades.go b/client/app/upgrades/v1_3_0/upgrades.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9903452d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/app/upgrades/v1_3_0/upgrades.go
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+//nolint:revive,stylecheck // versioning
+package v_1_3_0
+
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	upgradetypes "cosmossdk.io/x/upgrade/types"
+
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/module"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
+
+	"github.com/piplabs/story/client/app/keepers"
+	"github.com/piplabs/story/lib/errors"
+	"github.com/piplabs/story/lib/log"
+)
+
+func CreateUpgradeHandler(
+	_ *module.Manager,
+	_ module.Configurator,
+	keepers *keepers.Keepers,
+) upgradetypes.UpgradeHandler {
+	return func(ctx context.Context, _ upgradetypes.Plan, vm module.VersionMap) (module.VersionMap, error) {
+		log.Info(ctx, "Start upgrade v1.3.0")
+
+		// When this handler is triggered at the beginning of block X, we must process the events from block X-1.
+		// Otherwise, events from block X-1 will be discarded as the upgrade changes the logic to process events of the
+		// current block once finalized.
+
+		// Get the block hash and events of the previous block.
+		head, err := keepers.EVMEngKeeper.GetExecutionHead(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "get execution head")
+		}
+		lastBlockHeight := head.GetBlockHeight()
+		lastBlockHash := common.BytesToHash(head.GetBlockHash())
+
+		events, err := keepers.EVMEngKeeper.EvmEvents(ctx, lastBlockHash)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "fetch evm event logs")
+		}
+
+		// Deliver all the payload log events of the block X-1
+		if err := keepers.EvmStakingKeeper.ProcessStakingEvents(ctx, lastBlockHeight, events); err != nil {
+			return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "deliver staking-related event logs")
+		}
+		if err := keepers.EVMEngKeeper.ProcessUpgradeEvents(ctx, lastBlockHeight, events); err != nil {
+			return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "deliver upgrade-related event logs")
+		}
+		if err := keepers.EVMEngKeeper.ProcessUbiEvents(ctx, lastBlockHeight, events); err != nil {
+			return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "deliver ubi-related event logs")
+		}
+
+		if err := keepers.EVMEngKeeper.UpdateExecutionHeadWithBlock(ctx, lastBlockHeight, lastBlockHash, head.GetBlockTime()); err != nil {
+			return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "update execution head")
+		}
+
+		log.Info(ctx, "Upgrade v1.3.0 complete")
+
+		return vm, nil
+	}
+}
diff --git a/client/proto/story/evmengine/v1/types/tx.proto b/client/proto/story/evmengine/v1/types/tx.proto
index 07e563db..a2f3692b 100644
--- a/client/proto/story/evmengine/v1/types/tx.proto
+++ b/client/proto/story/evmengine/v1/types/tx.proto
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ message MsgExecutionPayload {
   option (cosmos.msg.v1.signer) = "authority";
   string            authority           = 1;
   bytes             execution_payload   = 2;
-  repeated EVMEvent prev_payload_events = 3;
+  repeated EVMEvent prev_payload_events = 3 [deprecated = true];
 }
 
 message ExecutionPayloadResponse {}
diff --git a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/abci.go b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/abci.go
index 23d7ddfc..b071c166 100644
--- a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/abci.go
+++ b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/abci.go
@@ -137,23 +137,10 @@ func (k *Keeper) PrepareProposal(ctx sdk.Context, req *abci.RequestPreparePropos
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "encode")
 	}
 
-	// First, collect all vote extension msgs from the vote provider.
-	// voteMsgs, err := k.voteProvider.PrepareVotes(ctx, req.LocalLastCommit)
-	// if err != nil {
-	//	return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "prepare votes")
-	//}
-
-	// Next, collect all prev payload evm event logs.
-	evmEvents, err := k.evmEvents(ctx, payloadResp.ExecutionPayload.ParentHash)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "prepare evm event logs")
-	}
-
 	// Then construct the execution payload message.
 	payloadMsg := &types.MsgExecutionPayload{
-		Authority:         authtypes.NewModuleAddress(types.ModuleName).String(),
-		ExecutionPayload:  payloadData,
-		PrevPayloadEvents: evmEvents,
+		Authority:        authtypes.NewModuleAddress(types.ModuleName).String(),
+		ExecutionPayload: payloadData,
 	}
 
 	// Combine all the votes messages and the payload message into a single transaction.
@@ -171,8 +158,6 @@ func (k *Keeper) PrepareProposal(ctx sdk.Context, req *abci.RequestPreparePropos
 	log.Info(ctx, "Proposing new block",
 		"height", req.Height,
 		log.Hex7("execution_block_hash", payloadResp.ExecutionPayload.BlockHash[:]),
-		// "vote_msgs", len(voteMsgs),
-		"evm_events", len(evmEvents),
 	)
 
 	return &abci.ResponsePrepareProposal{Txs: [][]byte{tx}}, nil
@@ -253,7 +238,7 @@ func (k *Keeper) PostFinalize(ctx sdk.Context) error {
 // startBuild triggers the building of a new execution payload on top of the current execution head.
 // It returns the EngineAPI response which contains a status and payload ID.
 func (k *Keeper) startBuild(ctx context.Context, feeRecipient common.Address, withdrawals []*etypes.Withdrawal, appHash common.Hash, timestamp time.Time) (engine.ForkChoiceResponse, error) {
-	head, err := k.getExecutionHead(ctx)
+	head, err := k.GetExecutionHead(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return engine.ForkChoiceResponse{}, errors.Wrap(err, "latest execution block")
 	}
diff --git a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/abci_internal_test.go b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/abci_internal_test.go
index 6256a888..0c26fd9a 100644
--- a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/abci_internal_test.go
+++ b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/abci_internal_test.go
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ func TestKeeper_PrepareProposal(t *testing.T) {
 
 		// get the genesis block to build on top of
 		// Get the parent block we will build on top of
-		head, err := keeper.getExecutionHead(ctx)
+		head, err := keeper.GetExecutionHead(ctx)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
 		req := &abci.RequestPrepareProposal{
@@ -536,10 +536,6 @@ func assertExecutablePayload(t *testing.T, msg sdk.Msg, ts int64, blockHash comm
 	require.Equal(t, payload.FeeRecipient, validatorAddr)
 	require.Empty(t, payload.Withdrawals)
 	require.Equal(t, payload.Number, height)
-
-	// require.Len(t, executionPayload.PrevPayloadEvents, 1)
-	// evmLog := executionPayload.PrevPayloadEvents[0]
-	// require.Equal(t, evmLog.Address, zeroAddr.Bytes())
 }
 
 func ctxWithAppHash(t *testing.T, appHash common.Hash) (context.Context, *storetypes.KVStoreKey) {
@@ -599,6 +595,7 @@ type mockEngineAPI struct {
 	forkchoiceUpdatedV3Func func(context.Context, eengine.ForkchoiceStateV1, *eengine.PayloadAttributes) (eengine.ForkChoiceResponse, error)
 	getPayloadV3Func        func(context.Context, eengine.PayloadID) (*eengine.ExecutionPayloadEnvelope, error)
 	newPayloadV3Func        func(context.Context, eengine.ExecutableData, []common.Hash, *common.Hash) (eengine.PayloadStatusV1, error)
+	filterLogsFunc          func(context.Context, ethereum.FilterQuery) ([]types.Log, error)
 	// forceInvalidNewPayloadV3 forces the NewPayloadV3 returns an invalid status.
 	forceInvalidNewPayloadV3 bool
 	// forceInvalidForkchoiceUpdatedV3 forces the ForkchoiceUpdatedV3 returns an invalid status.
@@ -683,7 +680,11 @@ func (m mockEngineAPI) maybeSync() (eengine.PayloadStatusV1, bool) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (mockEngineAPI) FilterLogs(context.Context, ethereum.FilterQuery) ([]types.Log, error) {
+func (m mockEngineAPI) FilterLogs(ctx context.Context, q ethereum.FilterQuery) ([]types.Log, error) {
+	if m.filterLogsFunc != nil {
+		return m.filterLogsFunc(ctx, q)
+	}
+
 	return nil, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/db.go b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/db.go
index eee9c505..af1bb99f 100644
--- a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/db.go
+++ b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/db.go
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ func (k *Keeper) InsertGenesisHead(ctx context.Context, executionBlockHash []byt
 	return nil
 }
 
-// getExecutionHead returns the current execution head.
-func (k *Keeper) getExecutionHead(ctx context.Context) (*ExecutionHead, error) {
+// GetExecutionHead returns the current execution head.
+func (k *Keeper) GetExecutionHead(ctx context.Context) (*ExecutionHead, error) {
 	head, err := k.headTable.Get(ctx, executionHeadID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "get execution head")
@@ -44,14 +44,24 @@ func (k *Keeper) getExecutionHead(ctx context.Context) (*ExecutionHead, error) {
 	return head, nil
 }
 
-// updateExecutionHead updates the execution head with the given payload.
-func (k *Keeper) updateExecutionHead(ctx context.Context, payload engine.ExecutableData) error {
+// UpdateExecutionHead updates the execution head with the given payload.
+func (k *Keeper) UpdateExecutionHead(ctx context.Context, payload engine.ExecutableData) error {
+	return k.updateExecutionHead(ctx, payload.Number, payload.BlockHash, payload.Timestamp)
+}
+
+func (k *Keeper) UpdateExecutionHeadWithBlock(ctx context.Context, blockHeight uint64, blockHash common.Hash, blockTime uint64) error {
+	return k.updateExecutionHead(ctx, blockHeight, blockHash, blockTime)
+}
+
+func (k *Keeper) updateExecutionHead(
+	ctx context.Context, blockHeight uint64, blockHash common.Hash, blockTime uint64,
+) error {
 	head := &ExecutionHead{
 		Id:            executionHeadID,
 		CreatedHeight: uint64(sdk.UnwrapSDKContext(ctx).BlockHeight()),
-		BlockHeight:   payload.Number,
-		BlockHash:     payload.BlockHash.Bytes(),
-		BlockTime:     payload.Timestamp,
+		BlockHeight:   blockHeight,
+		BlockHash:     blockHash.Bytes(),
+		BlockTime:     blockTime,
 	}
 
 	err := k.headTable.Update(ctx, head)
diff --git a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/db_internal_test.go b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/db_internal_test.go
index 32d0eeda..a322aa08 100644
--- a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/db_internal_test.go
+++ b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/db_internal_test.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ func TestKeeper_InsertGenesisHead(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx, keeper := createTestKeeper(t)
 
 	// make sure the execution head does not exist
-	_, err := keeper.getExecutionHead(ctx)
+	_, err := keeper.GetExecutionHead(ctx)
 	require.Error(t, err, "execution head should not exist")
 
 	// insert genesis head
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ func TestKeeper_InsertGenesisHead(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// make sure the execution head is set correctly
-	head, err := keeper.getExecutionHead(ctx)
+	head, err := keeper.GetExecutionHead(ctx)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.NotNil(t, head, "execution head should exist")
 	require.Equal(t, dummyBlockHash, head.GetBlockHash(), "block hash should match")
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func TestKeeper_updateExecutionHead(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx, keeper := createTestKeeper(t)
 
 	// make sure the execution head does not exist
-	_, err := keeper.getExecutionHead(ctx)
+	_, err := keeper.GetExecutionHead(ctx)
 	require.Error(t, err, "execution head should not exist")
 
 	// insert genesis head
@@ -48,13 +48,13 @@ func TestKeeper_updateExecutionHead(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// make sure the execution head is set correctly
-	head, err := keeper.getExecutionHead(ctx)
+	head, err := keeper.GetExecutionHead(ctx)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.NotNil(t, head, "execution head should exist")
 
 	// update the execution head
 	newBlockHash := common.BytesToHash([]byte("new hash"))
-	err = keeper.updateExecutionHead(ctx, engine.ExecutableData{
+	err = keeper.UpdateExecutionHead(ctx, engine.ExecutableData{
 		Number:    100,
 		BlockHash: newBlockHash,
 		Timestamp: 0,
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func TestKeeper_updateExecutionHead(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// make sure the execution head is updated correctly
-	head, err = keeper.getExecutionHead(ctx)
+	head, err = keeper.GetExecutionHead(ctx)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.NotNil(t, head, "execution head should exist")
 	require.Equal(t, newBlockHash.Bytes(), head.GetBlockHash(), "block hash should match")
diff --git a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/evmmsgs.go b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/evmmsgs.go
index c567f78b..de9a34cd 100644
--- a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/evmmsgs.go
+++ b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/evmmsgs.go
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ import (
 	clog "github.com/piplabs/story/lib/log"
 )
 
-// evmEvents returns selected EVM log events from the provided block hash.
-func (k *Keeper) evmEvents(ctx context.Context, blockHash common.Hash) ([]*types.EVMEvent, error) {
+// EvmEvents returns selected EVM log events from the provided block hash.
+func (k *Keeper) EvmEvents(ctx context.Context, blockHash common.Hash) ([]*types.EVMEvent, error) {
 	var logs []ethtypes.Log
 	err := retryForever(ctx, func(ctx context.Context) (fetched bool, err error) {
 		logs, err = k.engineCl.FilterLogs(ctx, ethereum.FilterQuery{
@@ -43,18 +43,16 @@ func (k *Keeper) evmEvents(ctx context.Context, blockHash common.Hash) ([]*types
 		for _, t := range l.Topics {
 			topics = append(topics, t.Bytes())
 		}
-		events = append(events, &types.EVMEvent{
+		event := &types.EVMEvent{
 			Address: l.Address.Bytes(),
 			Topics:  topics,
 			Data:    l.Data,
 			TxHash:  l.TxHash.Bytes(),
-		})
-	}
-
-	for _, event := range events {
+		}
 		if err := event.Verify(); err != nil {
 			return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "verify event")
 		}
+		events = append(events, event)
 	}
 
 	return events, nil
diff --git a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/keeper.go b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/keeper.go
index 5e971d09..07173c2e 100644
--- a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ func (k *Keeper) parseAndVerifyProposedPayload(ctx context.Context, msg *types.M
 	}
 
 	// Fetch the latest execution head from the local keeper DB.
-	head, err := k.getExecutionHead(ctx)
+	head, err := k.GetExecutionHead(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return engine.ExecutableData{}, errors.Wrap(err, "latest execution block")
 	}
diff --git a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/keeper_internal_test.go b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/keeper_internal_test.go
index 058cb62d..5b292338 100644
--- a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/keeper_internal_test.go
+++ b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/keeper_internal_test.go
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ func TestKeeper_parseAndVerifyProposedPayload(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			name: "fail: payload parent hash is not equal to head hash",
 			msg: func(c context.Context) *types.MsgExecutionPayload {
-				execHead, err := keeper.getExecutionHead(c)
+				execHead, err := keeper.GetExecutionHead(c)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 
 				payload, err := ethclient.MakePayload(fuzzer, execHead.GetBlockHeight()+1, uint64(now.Unix()), common.Hash{}, common.Address{}, common.Hash{}, &common.Hash{})
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ func TestKeeper_parseAndVerifyProposedPayload(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			name: "fail: invalid payload timestamp",
 			msg: func(c context.Context) *types.MsgExecutionPayload {
-				execHead, err := keeper.getExecutionHead(c)
+				execHead, err := keeper.GetExecutionHead(c)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				weekAgo := execHead.GetBlockTime() - 604800
 
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ func TestKeeper_parseAndVerifyProposedPayload(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			name: "fail: invalid payload random",
 			msg: func(c context.Context) *types.MsgExecutionPayload {
-				execHead, err := keeper.getExecutionHead(c)
+				execHead, err := keeper.GetExecutionHead(c)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 
 				payload, err := ethclient.MakePayload(fuzzer, execHead.GetBlockHeight()+1, uint64(now.Unix()), execHead.Hash(), common.Address{}, common.Hash{}, &common.Hash{})
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ func TestKeeper_parseAndVerifyProposedPayload(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			name: "fail: invalid authority",
 			msg: func(c context.Context) *types.MsgExecutionPayload {
-				execHead, err := keeper.getExecutionHead(c)
+				execHead, err := keeper.GetExecutionHead(c)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 
 				payload, err := ethclient.MakePayload(fuzzer, execHead.GetBlockHeight()+1, uint64(now.Unix()), execHead.Hash(), common.Address{}, execHead.Hash(), &common.Hash{})
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ func TestKeeper_parseAndVerifyProposedPayload(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			name: "pass: valid payload",
 			msg: func(c context.Context) *types.MsgExecutionPayload {
-				execHead, err := keeper.getExecutionHead(c)
+				execHead, err := keeper.GetExecutionHead(c)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 
 				payload, err := ethclient.MakePayload(fuzzer, execHead.GetBlockHeight()+1, uint64(now.Unix()), execHead.Hash(), common.Address{}, execHead.Hash(), &common.Hash{})
@@ -260,10 +260,10 @@ func TestKeeper_parseAndVerifyProposedPayload(t *testing.T) {
 		{
 			name: "pass: valid payload when consensus block time is less than execution block time",
 			setup: func(c context.Context) sdk.Context {
-				execHead, err := keeper.getExecutionHead(c)
+				execHead, err := keeper.GetExecutionHead(c)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				// update execution head with current block time
-				err = keeper.updateExecutionHead(c, engine.ExecutableData{
+				err = keeper.UpdateExecutionHead(c, engine.ExecutableData{
 					Number:    execHead.GetBlockHeight(),
 					BlockHash: common.BytesToHash(execHead.GetBlockHash()),
 					Timestamp: uint64(now.Unix()),
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ func TestKeeper_parseAndVerifyProposedPayload(t *testing.T) {
 				return sdkCtx
 			},
 			msg: func(c context.Context) *types.MsgExecutionPayload {
-				execHead, err := keeper.getExecutionHead(c)
+				execHead, err := keeper.GetExecutionHead(c)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 
 				payload, err := ethclient.MakePayload(fuzzer, execHead.GetBlockHeight()+1, execHead.GetBlockTime()+1, execHead.Hash(), common.Address{}, execHead.Hash(), &common.Hash{})
diff --git a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/msg_server.go b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/msg_server.go
index 62c387e4..c50ae5da 100644
--- a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/msg_server.go
+++ b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/msg_server.go
@@ -141,18 +141,24 @@ func (s msgServer) ExecutionPayload(ctx context.Context, msg *types.MsgExecution
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	// Deliver all the previous payload log events
-	if err := s.evmstakingKeeper.ProcessStakingEvents(ctx, payload.Number-1, msg.PrevPayloadEvents); err != nil {
+	// get events of the newly finalized block
+	events, err := s.EvmEvents(ctx, payload.BlockHash)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "fetch evm event logs")
+	}
+
+	// Deliver all the payload log events of the newly finalized block
+	if err := s.evmstakingKeeper.ProcessStakingEvents(ctx, payload.Number-1, events); err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "deliver staking-related event logs")
 	}
-	if err := s.ProcessUpgradeEvents(ctx, payload.Number-1, msg.PrevPayloadEvents); err != nil {
+	if err := s.ProcessUpgradeEvents(ctx, payload.Number-1, events); err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "deliver upgrade-related event logs")
 	}
-	if err := s.ProcessUbiEvents(ctx, payload.Number-1, msg.PrevPayloadEvents); err != nil {
+	if err := s.ProcessUbiEvents(ctx, payload.Number-1, events); err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "deliver ubi-related event logs")
 	}
 
-	if err := s.updateExecutionHead(ctx, payload); err != nil {
+	if err := s.UpdateExecutionHead(ctx, payload); err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "update execution head")
 	}
 
diff --git a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/msg_server_internal_test.go b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/msg_server_internal_test.go
index baa46868..e148d9dc 100644
--- a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/msg_server_internal_test.go
+++ b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/msg_server_internal_test.go
@@ -11,9 +11,11 @@ import (
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
 	authtx "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/tx"
 	authtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/types"
+	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/beacon/engine"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
 	etypes "github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/types"
+	fuzz "github.com/google/gofuzz"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
 	moduletestutil "github.com/piplabs/story/client/x/evmengine/testutil"
@@ -51,7 +53,6 @@ func Test_msgServer_ExecutionPayload(t *testing.T) {
 
 	ctx, storeKey, storeService := setupCtxStore(t, &header)
 	ctx = ctx.WithExecMode(sdk.ExecModeFinalize)
-	evmLogProc := mockLogProvider{deliverErr: errors.New("test error")}
 	mockEngine, err := newMockEngineAPI(storeKey, 2)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	keeper, err := NewKeeper(cdc, storeService, &mockEngine, mockClient, txConfig, ak, esk, uk, dk)
@@ -80,20 +81,32 @@ func Test_msgServer_ExecutionPayload(t *testing.T) {
 
 		return block, payloadID, payloadData
 	}
-	createRandomEvents := func(c context.Context, blkHash common.Hash) []*types.EVMEvent {
-		events, err := evmLogProc.Prepare(c, blkHash)
-		require.NoError(t, err)
-
-		return events
+	createRandomEvmEvents := func(c context.Context, blockHash common.Hash) func(ctx context.Context, q ethereum.FilterQuery) ([]etypes.Log, error) {
+		f := fuzz.NewWithSeed(int64(blockHash[0]))
+
+		var topic common.Hash
+		f.Fuzz(&topic)
+
+		var txHash common.Hash
+		f.Fuzz(&txHash)
+
+		return func(ctx context.Context, q ethereum.FilterQuery) ([]etypes.Log, error) {
+			return []etypes.Log{{
+				Address: zeroAddr,
+				Topics:  []common.Hash{topic},
+				Data:    []byte("data"),
+				TxHash:  txHash,
+			}}, nil
+		}
 	}
 
 	tcs := []struct {
-		name                    string
-		setup                   func(c context.Context) sdk.Context
-		createPayload           func(c context.Context) (*etypes.Block, engine.PayloadID, []byte)
-		createPrevPayloadEvents func(c context.Context, blkHash common.Hash) []*types.EVMEvent
-		expectedError           string
-		postCheck               func(c context.Context, block *etypes.Block, payloadID engine.PayloadID)
+		name          string
+		setup         func(c context.Context) sdk.Context
+		createPayload func(c context.Context) (*etypes.Block, engine.PayloadID, []byte)
+		createEvmLogs func(ctx context.Context, blockHash common.Hash) func(ctx context.Context, q ethereum.FilterQuery) ([]etypes.Log, error)
+		expectedError string
+		postCheck     func(c context.Context, block *etypes.Block, payloadID engine.PayloadID)
 	}{
 		{
 			name: "pass: valid payload",
@@ -105,8 +118,8 @@ func Test_msgServer_ExecutionPayload(t *testing.T) {
 
 				return sdk.UnwrapSDKContext(c)
 			},
-			createPayload:           createValidPayload,
-			createPrevPayloadEvents: createRandomEvents,
+			createPayload: createValidPayload,
+			createEvmLogs: createRandomEvmEvents,
 			postCheck: func(c context.Context, block *etypes.Block, payloadID engine.PayloadID) {
 				gotPayload, err := mockEngine.GetPayloadV3(c, payloadID)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -156,8 +169,8 @@ func Test_msgServer_ExecutionPayload(t *testing.T) {
 
 				return block, payloadID, payloadData
 			},
-			createPrevPayloadEvents: createRandomEvents,
-			expectedError:           "invalid proposed payload number",
+			createEvmLogs: createRandomEvmEvents,
+			expectedError: "invalid proposed payload number",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "fail: DequeueEligibleWithdrawals error",
@@ -180,9 +193,9 @@ func Test_msgServer_ExecutionPayload(t *testing.T) {
 
 				return sdk.UnwrapSDKContext(ctx)
 			},
-			createPayload:           createValidPayload,
-			createPrevPayloadEvents: createRandomEvents,
-			expectedError:           "payload invalid",
+			createPayload: createValidPayload,
+			createEvmLogs: createRandomEvmEvents,
+			expectedError: "payload invalid",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "fail: ForkchoiceUpdatedV3 returns status invalid",
@@ -194,9 +207,9 @@ func Test_msgServer_ExecutionPayload(t *testing.T) {
 
 				return sdk.UnwrapSDKContext(ctx)
 			},
-			createPayload:           createValidPayload,
-			createPrevPayloadEvents: createRandomEvents,
-			expectedError:           "payload invalid",
+			createPayload: createValidPayload,
+			createEvmLogs: createRandomEvmEvents,
+			expectedError: "payload invalid",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "fail: ProcessStakingEvents error",
@@ -208,36 +221,38 @@ func Test_msgServer_ExecutionPayload(t *testing.T) {
 
 				return sdk.UnwrapSDKContext(ctx)
 			},
-			createPayload:           createValidPayload,
-			createPrevPayloadEvents: createRandomEvents,
-			expectedError:           "deliver staking-related event logs",
+			createPayload: createValidPayload,
+			createEvmLogs: createRandomEvmEvents,
+			expectedError: "deliver staking-related event logs",
 		},
 		{
-			name: "fail: ProcessUpgradeEvents error",
+			name: "fail: parsing event error",
 			setup: func(ctx context.Context) sdk.Context {
 				esk.EXPECT().MaxWithdrawalPerBlock(ctx).Return(uint32(0), nil)
 				esk.EXPECT().DequeueEligibleWithdrawals(ctx, gomock.Any()).Return(nil, nil)
 				esk.EXPECT().DequeueEligibleRewardWithdrawals(ctx, gomock.Any()).Return(nil, nil)
-				esk.EXPECT().ProcessStakingEvents(ctx, gomock.Any(), gomock.Any()).Return(nil)
 
 				return sdk.UnwrapSDKContext(ctx)
 			},
 			createPayload: createValidPayload,
-			createPrevPayloadEvents: func(_ context.Context, _ common.Hash) []*types.EVMEvent {
+			createEvmLogs: func(ctx context.Context, blockHash common.Hash) func(ctx context.Context, q ethereum.FilterQuery) ([]etypes.Log, error) {
 				// crate invalid upgrade event to trigger ProcessUpgradeEvents failure
 				upgradeAbi, err := bindings.UpgradeEntrypointMetaData.GetAbi()
 				require.NoError(t, err, "failed to load ABI")
 				data, err := upgradeAbi.Events["SoftwareUpgrade"].Inputs.NonIndexed().Pack("test-upgrade", int64(0), "test-info")
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 
-				return []*types.EVMEvent{{
-					Address: nil, // nil address
-					Topics:  [][]byte{types.SoftwareUpgradeEvent.ID.Bytes()},
-					Data:    data,
-					TxHash:  dummyHash.Bytes(),
-				}}
+				return func(ctx context.Context, q ethereum.FilterQuery) ([]etypes.Log, error) {
+					return []etypes.Log{{
+						Address: zeroAddr,
+						// use empty bytes (not any of the expected event IDs) to trigger error
+						Topics: []common.Hash{},
+						Data:   data,
+						TxHash: dummyHash,
+					}}, nil
+				}
 			},
-			expectedError: "deliver upgrade-related event logs",
+			expectedError: "fetch evm event logs: verify event: empty topics",
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -248,7 +263,6 @@ func Test_msgServer_ExecutionPayload(t *testing.T) {
 			var payloadData []byte
 			var payloadID engine.PayloadID
 			var block *etypes.Block
-			var events []*types.EVMEvent
 
 			cachedCtx, _ := ctx.CacheContext()
 			if tc.setup != nil {
@@ -257,14 +271,13 @@ func Test_msgServer_ExecutionPayload(t *testing.T) {
 			if tc.createPayload != nil {
 				block, payloadID, payloadData = tc.createPayload(cachedCtx)
 			}
-			if tc.createPrevPayloadEvents != nil {
-				events = tc.createPrevPayloadEvents(cachedCtx, block.Hash())
+			if tc.createEvmLogs != nil {
+				mockEngine.filterLogsFunc = tc.createEvmLogs(cachedCtx, block.Hash())
 			}
 
 			resp, err := msgSrv.ExecutionPayload(cachedCtx, &types.MsgExecutionPayload{
-				Authority:         authtypes.NewModuleAddress(types.ModuleName).String(),
-				ExecutionPayload:  payloadData,
-				PrevPayloadEvents: events,
+				Authority:        authtypes.NewModuleAddress(types.ModuleName).String(),
+				ExecutionPayload: payloadData,
 			})
 			if tc.expectedError != "" {
 				require.ErrorContains(t, err, tc.expectedError)
diff --git a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/proposal_server.go b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/proposal_server.go
index 88fc7a07..fb29c2f7 100644
--- a/client/x/evmengine/keeper/proposal_server.go
+++ b/client/x/evmengine/keeper/proposal_server.go
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 
-	"github.com/cosmos/gogoproto/proto"
 	etypes "github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/core/types"
 
 	"github.com/piplabs/story/client/x/evmengine/types"
@@ -51,17 +50,6 @@ func (s proposalServer) ExecutionPayload(ctx context.Context, msg *types.MsgExec
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	// Collect local view of the evm logs from the previous payload.
-	evmEvents, err := s.evmEvents(ctx, payload.ParentHash)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "prepare evm event logs")
-	}
-
-	// Ensure the proposed evm event logs are equal to the local view.
-	if err := evmEventsEqual(evmEvents, msg.PrevPayloadEvents); err != nil {
-		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "verify prev payload events")
-	}
-
 	return &types.ExecutionPayloadResponse{}, nil
 }
 
@@ -73,20 +61,6 @@ func NewProposalServer(keeper *Keeper) types.MsgServiceServer {
 
 var _ types.MsgServiceServer = proposalServer{}
 
-func evmEventsEqual(a, b []*types.EVMEvent) error {
-	if len(a) != len(b) {
-		return errors.New("count mismatch")
-	}
-
-	for i := range a {
-		if !proto.Equal(a[i], b[i]) {
-			return errors.New("log mismatch", "index", i)
-		}
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
 // compareWithdrawals compares the local peek and received withdrawals.
 func (s proposalServer) compareWithdrawals(ctx context.Context, actualWithdrawals etypes.Withdrawals) error {
 	maxWithdrawals, err := s.evmstakingKeeper.MaxWithdrawalPerBlock(ctx)
diff --git a/client/x/evmengine/types/tx.pb.go b/client/x/evmengine/types/tx.pb.go
index 46acbd23..70bc1424 100644
--- a/client/x/evmengine/types/tx.pb.go
+++ b/client/x/evmengine/types/tx.pb.go
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ const _ = proto.GoGoProtoPackageIsVersion3 // please upgrade the proto package
 type MsgExecutionPayload struct {
 	Authority         string      `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=authority,proto3" json:"authority,omitempty"`
 	ExecutionPayload  []byte      `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=execution_payload,json=executionPayload,proto3" json:"execution_payload,omitempty"`
-	PrevPayloadEvents []*EVMEvent `protobuf:"bytes,3,rep,name=prev_payload_events,json=prevPayloadEvents,proto3" json:"prev_payload_events,omitempty"`
+	PrevPayloadEvents []*EVMEvent `protobuf:"bytes,3,rep,name=prev_payload_events,json=prevPayloadEvents,proto3" json:"prev_payload_events,omitempty"` // Deprecated: Do not use.
 }
 
 func (m *MsgExecutionPayload) Reset()         { *m = MsgExecutionPayload{} }
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ func (m *MsgExecutionPayload) GetExecutionPayload() []byte {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// Deprecated: Do not use.
 func (m *MsgExecutionPayload) GetPrevPayloadEvents() []*EVMEvent {
 	if m != nil {
 		return m.PrevPayloadEvents
@@ -205,33 +206,33 @@ func init() {
 func init() { proto.RegisterFile("story/evmengine/v1/types/tx.proto", fileDescriptor_21bf9c7ed4e0e2c4) }
 
 var fileDescriptor_21bf9c7ed4e0e2c4 = []byte{
-	// 403 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
-	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0x7c, 0x92, 0x41, 0x8b, 0xd3, 0x40,
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-	0xc1, 0xe3, 0x1e, 0x3d, 0x4a, 0x7b, 0xd8, 0xaf, 0x21, 0x9d, 0x6e, 0x5c, 0xa9, 0xd6, 0x5b, 0xde,
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-	0x02, 0x00, 0x00,
+	// 406 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
+	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0x7c, 0x92, 0xc1, 0x6a, 0xdb, 0x40,
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+	0x21, 0x5e, 0x8a, 0x02, 0x00, 0x00,
 }
 
 // Reference imports to suppress errors if they are not otherwise used.