diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index a72d1d758d..fb897c43f9 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -247,6 +247,7 @@ BITCOIN_CORE_H = \
   netbase.h \
   netfulfilledman.h \
   netmessagemaker.h \
+  node/blockstorage.h \
   node/coin.h \
   node/coinstats.h \
   node/context.h \
@@ -441,6 +442,7 @@ libbitcoin_server_a_SOURCES = \
   net.cpp \
   netfulfilledman.cpp \
   net_processing.cpp \
+  node/blockstorage.cpp \
   node/coin.cpp \
   node/coinstats.cpp \
   node/context.cpp \
diff --git a/src/evo/cbtx.cpp b/src/evo/cbtx.cpp
index 34797da333..42df4fee37 100644
--- a/src/evo/cbtx.cpp
+++ b/src/evo/cbtx.cpp
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 #include <llmq/chainlocks.h>
 #include <llmq/commitment.h>
 #include <llmq/utils.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <evo/simplifiedmns.h>
 #include <evo/specialtx.h>
 #include <consensus/validation.h>
diff --git a/src/evo/creditpool.cpp b/src/evo/creditpool.cpp
index dda04ad8f1..14f7609a77 100644
--- a/src/evo/creditpool.cpp
+++ b/src/evo/creditpool.cpp
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #include <chain.h>
 #include <logging.h>
 #include <validation.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <exception>
diff --git a/src/evo/simplifiedmns.cpp b/src/evo/simplifiedmns.cpp
index 481f77a077..e17f071ccd 100644
--- a/src/evo/simplifiedmns.cpp
+++ b/src/evo/simplifiedmns.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include <llmq/commitment.h>
 #include <llmq/quorums.h>
 #include <llmq/utils.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <evo/specialtx.h>
 
 #include <pubkey.h>
diff --git a/src/index/base.cpp b/src/index/base.cpp
index d95953614a..623b4f438d 100644
--- a/src/index/base.cpp
+++ b/src/index/base.cpp
@@ -4,11 +4,12 @@
 
 #include <chainparams.h>
 #include <index/base.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <shutdown.h>
 #include <tinyformat.h>
 #include <ui_interface.h>
 #include <util/translation.h>
-#include <validation.h>
+#include <validation.h> // For g_chainman
 #include <warnings.h>
 
 constexpr char DB_BEST_BLOCK = 'B';
diff --git a/src/index/blockfilterindex.cpp b/src/index/blockfilterindex.cpp
index 2b6e4b7ef7..4152dfee5a 100644
--- a/src/index/blockfilterindex.cpp
+++ b/src/index/blockfilterindex.cpp
@@ -6,9 +6,8 @@
 
 #include <dbwrapper.h>
 #include <index/blockfilterindex.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <serialize.h>
-#include <util/system.h>
-#include <validation.h>
 
 /* The index database stores three items for each block: the disk location of the encoded filter,
  * its dSHA256 hash, and the header. Those belonging to blocks on the active chain are indexed by
diff --git a/src/init.cpp b/src/init.cpp
index dae3cb528e..abf2645e08 100644
--- a/src/init.cpp
+++ b/src/init.cpp
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 #include <context.h>
 #include <node/coinstats.h>
 #include <compat/sanity.h>
-#include <consensus/validation.h>
 #include <fs.h>
 #include <hash.h>
 #include <httpserver.h>
@@ -36,6 +35,7 @@
 #include <net_permissions.h>
 #include <net_processing.h>
 #include <netbase.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <node/context.h>
 #include <policy/feerate.h>
 #include <policy/fees.h>
@@ -123,7 +123,6 @@
 
 static const bool DEFAULT_PROXYRANDOMIZE = true;
 static const bool DEFAULT_REST_ENABLE = false;
-static const bool DEFAULT_STOPAFTERBLOCKIMPORT = false;
 
 static CDSNotificationInterface* pdsNotificationInterface = nullptr;
 
@@ -189,8 +188,6 @@ static fs::path GetPidFile(const ArgsManager& args)
 
 static std::unique_ptr<ECCVerifyHandle> globalVerifyHandle;
 
-static std::thread g_load_block;
-
 void Interrupt(NodeContext& node)
 {
     InterruptHTTPServer();
@@ -266,7 +263,7 @@ void PrepareShutdown(NodeContext& node)
     // After everything has been shut down, but before things get flushed, stop the
     // CScheduler/checkqueue, threadGroup and load block thread.
     if (node.scheduler) node.scheduler->stop();
-    if (g_load_block.joinable()) g_load_block.join();
+    if (node.chainman && node.chainman->m_load_block.joinable()) node.chainman->m_load_block.join();
     StopScriptCheckWorkerThreads();
 
     // After there are no more peers/RPC left to give us new data which may generate
@@ -825,20 +822,6 @@ static void BlockNotifyGenesisWait(bool, const CBlockIndex *pBlockIndex)
     }
 }
 
-struct CImportingNow
-{
-    CImportingNow() {
-        assert(fImporting == false);
-        fImporting = true;
-    }
-
-    ~CImportingNow() {
-        assert(fImporting == true);
-        fImporting = false;
-    }
-};
-
-
 // If we're using -prune with -reindex, then delete block files that will be ignored by the
 // reindex.  Since reindexing works by starting at block file 0 and looping until a blockfile
 // is missing, do the same here to delete any later block files after a gap.  Also delete all
@@ -880,103 +863,6 @@ static void CleanupBlockRevFiles()
     }
 }
 
-static void ThreadImport(ChainstateManager& chainman, std::vector<fs::path> vImportFiles, const ArgsManager& args)
-{
-    ScheduleBatchPriority();
-
-    {
-    CImportingNow imp;
-
-    // -reindex
-    if (fReindex) {
-        int nFile = 0;
-        while (true) {
-            FlatFilePos pos(nFile, 0);
-            if (!fs::exists(GetBlockPosFilename(pos)))
-                break; // No block files left to reindex
-            FILE *file = OpenBlockFile(pos, true);
-            if (!file)
-                break; // This error is logged in OpenBlockFile
-            LogPrintf("Reindexing block file blk%05u.dat...\n", (unsigned int)nFile);
-            ::ChainstateActive().LoadExternalBlockFile(file, &pos);
-            if (ShutdownRequested()) {
-                LogPrintf("Shutdown requested. Exit %s\n", __func__);
-                return;
-            }
-            nFile++;
-        }
-        pblocktree->WriteReindexing(false);
-        fReindex = false;
-        LogPrintf("Reindexing finished\n");
-        // To avoid ending up in a situation without genesis block, re-try initializing (no-op if reindexing worked):
-        ::ChainstateActive().LoadGenesisBlock();
-    }
-
-    // -loadblock=
-    for (const fs::path& path : vImportFiles) {
-        FILE *file = fsbridge::fopen(path, "rb");
-        if (file) {
-            LogPrintf("Importing blocks file %s...\n", path.string());
-            ::ChainstateActive().LoadExternalBlockFile(file);
-            if (ShutdownRequested()) {
-                LogPrintf("Shutdown requested. Exit %s\n", __func__);
-                return;
-            }
-        } else {
-            LogPrintf("Warning: Could not open blocks file %s\n", path.string());
-        }
-    }
-
-    // scan for better chains in the block chain database, that are not yet connected in the active best chain
-
-    // We can't hold cs_main during ActivateBestChain even though we're accessing
-    // the chainman unique_ptrs since ABC requires us not to be holding cs_main, so retrieve
-    // the relevant pointers before the ABC call.
-    for (CChainState* chainstate : WITH_LOCK(::cs_main, return chainman.GetAll())) {
-        BlockValidationState state;
-        if (!chainstate->ActivateBestChain(state, nullptr)) {
-            LogPrintf("Failed to connect best block (%s)\n", state.ToString());
-            StartShutdown();
-            return;
-        }
-    }
-
-    if (args.GetBoolArg("-stopafterblockimport", DEFAULT_STOPAFTERBLOCKIMPORT)) {
-        LogPrintf("Stopping after block import\n");
-        StartShutdown();
-        return;
-    }
-    } // End scope of CImportingNow
-
-    // force UpdatedBlockTip to initialize nCachedBlockHeight for DS, MN payments and budgets
-    // but don't call it directly to prevent triggering of other listeners like zmq etc.
-    // GetMainSignals().UpdatedBlockTip(::ChainActive().Tip());
-    pdsNotificationInterface->InitializeCurrentBlockTip();
-
-    {
-        // Get all UTXOs for each MN collateral in one go so that we can fill coin cache early
-        // and reduce further locking overhead for cs_main in other parts of code including GUI
-        LogPrintf("Filling coin cache with masternode UTXOs...\n");
-        LOCK(cs_main);
-        int64_t nStart = GetTimeMillis();
-        auto mnList = deterministicMNManager->GetListAtChainTip();
-        mnList.ForEachMN(false, [&](auto& dmn) {
-            Coin coin;
-            GetUTXOCoin(dmn.collateralOutpoint, coin);
-        });
-        LogPrintf("Filling coin cache with masternode UTXOs: done in %dms\n", GetTimeMillis() - nStart);
-    }
-
-    if (fMasternodeMode) {
-        assert(activeMasternodeManager);
-        activeMasternodeManager->Init(::ChainActive().Tip());
-    }
-
-    g_wallet_init_interface.AutoLockMasternodeCollaterals();
-
-    chainman.ActiveChainstate().LoadMempool(args);
-}
-
 static void PeriodicStats(ArgsManager& args, const CTxMemPool& mempool)
 {
     assert(args.GetBoolArg("-statsenabled", DEFAULT_STATSD_ENABLE));
@@ -2468,7 +2354,9 @@ bool AppInitMain(const CoreContext& context, NodeContext& node, interfaces::Bloc
         vImportFiles.push_back(strFile);
     }
 
-    g_load_block = std::thread(&TraceThread<std::function<void()>>, "loadblk", [=, &chainman, &args]{ ThreadImport(chainman, vImportFiles, args); });
+    chainman.m_load_block = std::thread(&TraceThread<std::function<void()>>, "loadblk", [=, &chainman, &args] {
+        ThreadImport(chainman, *pdsNotificationInterface ,vImportFiles, args);
+    });
 
     // Wait for genesis block to be processed
     {
diff --git a/src/llmq/blockprocessor.cpp b/src/llmq/blockprocessor.cpp
index 4a4a2c34b2..8ad2c70425 100644
--- a/src/llmq/blockprocessor.cpp
+++ b/src/llmq/blockprocessor.cpp
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 #include <consensus/validation.h>
 #include <net.h>
 #include <net_processing.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <primitives/block.h>
 #include <primitives/transaction.h>
 #include <saltedhasher.h>
diff --git a/src/llmq/chainlocks.cpp b/src/llmq/chainlocks.cpp
index d6c9f147ad..f6ce0e61d3 100644
--- a/src/llmq/chainlocks.cpp
+++ b/src/llmq/chainlocks.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include <consensus/validation.h>
 #include <masternode/sync.h>
 #include <net_processing.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <scheduler.h>
 #include <spork.h>
 #include <txmempool.h>
diff --git a/src/net_processing.cpp b/src/net_processing.cpp
index a53d9ee917..78344eaeec 100644
--- a/src/net_processing.cpp
+++ b/src/net_processing.cpp
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 #include <merkleblock.h>
 #include <netmessagemaker.h>
 #include <netbase.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <policy/policy.h>
 #include <primitives/block.h>
 #include <primitives/transaction.h>
diff --git a/src/node/README.md b/src/node/README.md
index e99a717534..ab5979594d 100644
--- a/src/node/README.md
+++ b/src/node/README.md
@@ -15,8 +15,7 @@ As a rule of thumb, code in one of the [`src/node/`](./),
 calling code in the other directories directly, and only invoke it indirectly
 through the more limited [`src/interfaces/`](../interfaces/) classes.
 
-The [`src/node/`](./) directory is a new directory introduced in
-[#14978](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/14978) and at the moment is
+This directory is at the moment
 sparsely populated. Eventually more substantial files like
 [`src/validation.cpp`](../validation.cpp) and
 [`src/txmempool.cpp`](../txmempool.cpp) might be moved there.
diff --git a/src/node/blockstorage.cpp b/src/node/blockstorage.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9d92daf199
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/node/blockstorage.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,223 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2011-2021 The Bitcoin Core developers
+// Distributed under the MIT software license, see the accompanying
+// file COPYING or http://www.opensource.org/licenses/mit-license.php.
+
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
+
+#include <chain.h>
+#include <chainparams.h>
+#include <consensus/validation.h>
+#include <dsnotificationinterface.h>
+#include <evo/deterministicmns.h>
+#include <flatfile.h>
+#include <fs.h>
+#include <masternode/node.h>
+#include <pow.h>
+#include <shutdown.h>
+#include <streams.h>
+#include <util/system.h>
+#include <validation.h>
+#include <walletinitinterface.h>
+
+// From validation. TODO move here
+bool FindBlockPos(FlatFilePos& pos, unsigned int nAddSize, unsigned int nHeight, CChain& active_chain, uint64_t nTime, bool fKnown = false);
+
+static bool WriteBlockToDisk(const CBlock& block, FlatFilePos& pos, const CMessageHeader::MessageStartChars& messageStart)
+{
+    // Open history file to append
+    CAutoFile fileout(OpenBlockFile(pos), SER_DISK, CLIENT_VERSION);
+    if (fileout.IsNull()) {
+        return error("WriteBlockToDisk: OpenBlockFile failed");
+    }
+
+    // Write index header
+    unsigned int nSize = GetSerializeSize(block, fileout.GetVersion());
+    fileout << messageStart << nSize;
+
+    // Write block
+    long fileOutPos = ftell(fileout.Get());
+    if (fileOutPos < 0) {
+        return error("WriteBlockToDisk: ftell failed");
+    }
+    pos.nPos = (unsigned int)fileOutPos;
+    fileout << block;
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+bool ReadBlockFromDisk(CBlock& block, const FlatFilePos& pos, const Consensus::Params& consensusParams)
+{
+    block.SetNull();
+
+    // Open history file to read
+    CAutoFile filein(OpenBlockFile(pos, true), SER_DISK, CLIENT_VERSION);
+    if (filein.IsNull()) {
+        return error("ReadBlockFromDisk: OpenBlockFile failed for %s", pos.ToString());
+    }
+
+    // Read block
+    try {
+        filein >> block;
+    } catch (const std::exception& e) {
+        return error("%s: Deserialize or I/O error - %s at %s", __func__, e.what(), pos.ToString());
+    }
+
+    // Check the header
+    if (!CheckProofOfWork(block.GetHash(), block.nBits, consensusParams)) {
+        return error("ReadBlockFromDisk: Errors in block header at %s", pos.ToString());
+    }
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+bool ReadBlockFromDisk(CBlock& block, const CBlockIndex* pindex, const Consensus::Params& consensusParams)
+{
+    FlatFilePos blockPos;
+    {
+        LOCK(cs_main);
+        blockPos = pindex->GetBlockPos();
+    }
+
+    if (!ReadBlockFromDisk(block, blockPos, consensusParams)) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    if (block.GetHash() != pindex->GetBlockHash()) {
+        return error("ReadBlockFromDisk(CBlock&, CBlockIndex*): GetHash() doesn't match index for %s at %s",
+                     pindex->ToString(), pindex->GetBlockPos().ToString());
+    }
+    return true;
+}
+
+/** Store block on disk. If dbp is non-nullptr, the file is known to already reside on disk */
+FlatFilePos SaveBlockToDisk(const CBlock& block, int nHeight, CChain& active_chain, const CChainParams& chainparams, const FlatFilePos* dbp)
+{
+    unsigned int nBlockSize = ::GetSerializeSize(block, CLIENT_VERSION);
+    FlatFilePos blockPos;
+    if (dbp != nullptr) {
+        blockPos = *dbp;
+    }
+    if (!FindBlockPos(blockPos, nBlockSize + 8, nHeight, active_chain, block.GetBlockTime(), dbp != nullptr)) {
+        error("%s: FindBlockPos failed", __func__);
+        return FlatFilePos();
+    }
+    if (dbp == nullptr) {
+        if (!WriteBlockToDisk(block, blockPos, chainparams.MessageStart())) {
+            AbortNode("Failed to write block");
+            return FlatFilePos();
+        }
+    }
+    return blockPos;
+}
+
+struct CImportingNow {
+    CImportingNow()
+    {
+        assert(fImporting == false);
+        fImporting = true;
+    }
+
+    ~CImportingNow()
+    {
+        assert(fImporting == true);
+        fImporting = false;
+    }
+};
+
+void ThreadImport(ChainstateManager& chainman, CDSNotificationInterface& dsnfi, std::vector<fs::path> vImportFiles, const ArgsManager& args)
+{
+    ScheduleBatchPriority();
+
+    {
+        CImportingNow imp;
+
+        // -reindex
+        if (fReindex) {
+            int nFile = 0;
+            while (true) {
+                FlatFilePos pos(nFile, 0);
+                if (!fs::exists(GetBlockPosFilename(pos))) {
+                    break; // No block files left to reindex
+                }
+                FILE* file = OpenBlockFile(pos, true);
+                if (!file) {
+                    break; // This error is logged in OpenBlockFile
+                }
+                LogPrintf("Reindexing block file blk%05u.dat...\n", (unsigned int)nFile);
+                chainman.ActiveChainstate().LoadExternalBlockFile(file, &pos);
+                if (ShutdownRequested()) {
+                    LogPrintf("Shutdown requested. Exit %s\n", __func__);
+                    return;
+                }
+                nFile++;
+            }
+            pblocktree->WriteReindexing(false);
+            fReindex = false;
+            LogPrintf("Reindexing finished\n");
+            // To avoid ending up in a situation without genesis block, re-try initializing (no-op if reindexing worked):
+            chainman.ActiveChainstate().LoadGenesisBlock();
+        }
+
+        // -loadblock=
+        for (const fs::path& path : vImportFiles) {
+            FILE *file = fsbridge::fopen(path, "rb");
+            if (file) {
+                LogPrintf("Importing blocks file %s...\n", path.string());
+                chainman.ActiveChainstate().LoadExternalBlockFile(file);
+                if (ShutdownRequested()) {
+                    LogPrintf("Shutdown requested. Exit %s\n", __func__);
+                    return;
+                }
+            } else {
+                LogPrintf("Warning: Could not open blocks file %s\n", path.string());
+            }
+        }
+
+        // scan for better chains in the block chain database, that are not yet connected in the active best chain
+
+        // We can't hold cs_main during ActivateBestChain even though we're accessing
+        // the chainman unique_ptrs since ABC requires us not to be holding cs_main, so retrieve
+        // the relevant pointers before the ABC call.
+        for (CChainState* chainstate : WITH_LOCK(::cs_main, return chainman.GetAll())) {
+            BlockValidationState state;
+            if (!chainstate->ActivateBestChain(state, nullptr)) {
+                LogPrintf("Failed to connect best block (%s)\n", state.ToString());
+                StartShutdown();
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (args.GetBoolArg("-stopafterblockimport", DEFAULT_STOPAFTERBLOCKIMPORT)) {
+            LogPrintf("Stopping after block import\n");
+            StartShutdown();
+            return;
+        }
+    } // End scope of CImportingNow
+
+    // force UpdatedBlockTip to initialize nCachedBlockHeight for DS, MN payments and budgets
+    // but don't call it directly to prevent triggering of other listeners like zmq etc.
+    // GetMainSignals().UpdatedBlockTip(::ChainActive().Tip());
+    dsnfi.InitializeCurrentBlockTip();
+
+    {
+        // Get all UTXOs for each MN collateral in one go so that we can fill coin cache early
+        // and reduce further locking overhead for cs_main in other parts of code including GUI
+        LogPrintf("Filling coin cache with masternode UTXOs...\n");
+        LOCK(cs_main);
+        int64_t nStart = GetTimeMillis();
+        auto mnList = deterministicMNManager->GetListAtChainTip();
+        mnList.ForEachMN(false, [&](auto& dmn) {
+            Coin coin;
+            GetUTXOCoin(dmn.collateralOutpoint, coin);
+        });
+        LogPrintf("Filling coin cache with masternode UTXOs: done in %dms\n", GetTimeMillis() - nStart);
+    }
+
+    if (fMasternodeMode) {
+        assert(activeMasternodeManager);
+        activeMasternodeManager->Init(::ChainActive().Tip());
+    }
+
+    g_wallet_init_interface.AutoLockMasternodeCollaterals();
+
+    chainman.ActiveChainstate().LoadMempool(args);
+}
diff --git a/src/node/blockstorage.h b/src/node/blockstorage.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bfd35ba32b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/node/blockstorage.h
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2011-2021 The Bitcoin Core developers
+// Distributed under the MIT software license, see the accompanying
+// file COPYING or http://www.opensource.org/licenses/mit-license.php.
+
+#ifndef BITCOIN_NODE_BLOCKSTORAGE_H
+#define BITCOIN_NODE_BLOCKSTORAGE_H
+
+#include <cstdint>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include <fs.h>
+#include <protocol.h> // For CMessageHeader::MessageStartChars
+
+class ArgsManager;
+class CBlock;
+class CBlockIndex;
+class CBlockUndo;
+class CChain;
+class CChainParams;
+class CDSNotificationInterface;
+class ChainstateManager;
+struct FlatFilePos;
+namespace Consensus {
+struct Params;
+}
+
+static constexpr bool DEFAULT_STOPAFTERBLOCKIMPORT{false};
+
+/** Functions for disk access for blocks */
+bool ReadBlockFromDisk(CBlock& block, const FlatFilePos& pos, const Consensus::Params& consensusParams);
+bool ReadBlockFromDisk(CBlock& block, const CBlockIndex* pindex, const Consensus::Params& consensusParams);
+
+bool UndoReadFromDisk(CBlockUndo& blockundo, const CBlockIndex* pindex);
+
+FlatFilePos SaveBlockToDisk(const CBlock& block, int nHeight, CChain& active_chain, const CChainParams& chainparams, const FlatFilePos* dbp);
+
+void ThreadImport(ChainstateManager& chainman, CDSNotificationInterface& dsnfi, std::vector<fs::path> vImportFiles, const ArgsManager& args);
+
+#endif // BITCOIN_NODE_BLOCKSTORAGE_H
diff --git a/src/node/interfaces.cpp b/src/node/interfaces.cpp
index b44329a95b..f7e2056895 100644
--- a/src/node/interfaces.cpp
+++ b/src/node/interfaces.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #include <net_processing.h>
 #include <netaddress.h>
 #include <netbase.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <node/coin.h>
 #include <node/context.h>
 #include <node/transaction.h>
diff --git a/src/rest.cpp b/src/rest.cpp
index c615a4900a..a69f4605ee 100644
--- a/src/rest.cpp
+++ b/src/rest.cpp
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #include <llmq/chainlocks.h>
 #include <llmq/context.h>
 #include <llmq/instantsend.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <node/context.h>
 #include <primitives/block.h>
 #include <primitives/transaction.h>
diff --git a/src/rpc/blockchain.cpp b/src/rpc/blockchain.cpp
index 19d82888ed..8346c7500c 100644
--- a/src/rpc/blockchain.cpp
+++ b/src/rpc/blockchain.cpp
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 #include <index/blockfilterindex.h>
 #include <index/txindex.h>
 #include <llmq/context.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <node/coinstats.h>
 #include <node/context.h>
 #include <node/utxo_snapshot.h>
diff --git a/src/rpc/masternode.cpp b/src/rpc/masternode.cpp
index 6ac2c84410..7840e089af 100644
--- a/src/rpc/masternode.cpp
+++ b/src/rpc/masternode.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include <evo/deterministicmns.h>
 #include <governance/classes.h>
 #include <index/txindex.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <node/context.h>
 #include <governance/governance.h>
 #include <masternode/node.h>
diff --git a/src/rpc/rawtransaction.cpp b/src/rpc/rawtransaction.cpp
index a696d9555a..07482192e2 100644
--- a/src/rpc/rawtransaction.cpp
+++ b/src/rpc/rawtransaction.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include <init.h>
 #include <key_io.h>
 #include <merkleblock.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <node/coin.h>
 #include <node/context.h>
 #include <node/transaction.h>
diff --git a/src/shutdown.cpp b/src/shutdown.cpp
index 998328e377..f835833f38 100644
--- a/src/shutdown.cpp
+++ b/src/shutdown.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,10 @@
 
 #include <shutdown.h>
 
+#include <logging.h>
+#include <ui_interface.h>
+#include <warnings.h>
+
 #include <config/bitcoin-config.h>
 
 #include <assert.h>
@@ -17,6 +21,18 @@
 #include <unistd.h>
 #endif
 
+bool AbortNode(const std::string& strMessage, bilingual_str user_message)
+{
+    SetMiscWarning(strMessage);
+    LogPrintf("*** %s\n", strMessage);
+    if (user_message.empty()) {
+        user_message = _("A fatal internal error occurred, see debug.log for details");
+    }
+    AbortError(user_message);
+    StartShutdown();
+    return false;
+}
+
 static std::atomic<bool> fRequestShutdown(false);
 static std::atomic<bool> fRequestRestart(false);
 
diff --git a/src/shutdown.h b/src/shutdown.h
index 6819dc6e1a..3970484657 100644
--- a/src/shutdown.h
+++ b/src/shutdown.h
@@ -6,6 +6,11 @@
 #ifndef BITCOIN_SHUTDOWN_H
 #define BITCOIN_SHUTDOWN_H
 
+#include <util/translation.h> // For bilingual_str
+
+/** Abort with a message */
+bool AbortNode(const std::string& strMessage, bilingual_str user_message = bilingual_str{});
+
 /** Initialize shutdown state. This must be called before using either StartShutdown(),
  * AbortShutdown() or WaitForShutdown(). Calling ShutdownRequested() is always safe.
  */
diff --git a/src/test/util/blockfilter.cpp b/src/test/util/blockfilter.cpp
index cbc95d8bdc..d1f0cad7cc 100644
--- a/src/test/util/blockfilter.cpp
+++ b/src/test/util/blockfilter.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include <test/util/blockfilter.h>
 
 #include <chainparams.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <validation.h>
 
 bool ComputeFilter(BlockFilterType filter_type, const CBlockIndex* block_index, BlockFilter& filter)
diff --git a/src/validation.cpp b/src/validation.cpp
index 3fed42e444..add1602cc5 100644
--- a/src/validation.cpp
+++ b/src/validation.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #include <index/txindex.h>
 #include <logging.h>
 #include <logging/timer.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <node/coinstats.h>
 #include <policy/policy.h>
 #include <policy/settings.h>
@@ -1087,72 +1088,6 @@ CTransactionRef GetTransaction(const CBlockIndex* const block_index, const CTxMe
     return nullptr;
 }
 
-//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-//
-// CBlock and CBlockIndex
-//
-
-static bool WriteBlockToDisk(const CBlock& block, FlatFilePos& pos, const CMessageHeader::MessageStartChars& messageStart)
-{
-    // Open history file to append
-    CAutoFile fileout(OpenBlockFile(pos), SER_DISK, CLIENT_VERSION);
-    if (fileout.IsNull())
-        return error("WriteBlockToDisk: OpenBlockFile failed");
-
-    // Write index header
-    unsigned int nSize = GetSerializeSize(block, fileout.GetVersion());
-    fileout << messageStart << nSize;
-
-    // Write block
-    long fileOutPos = ftell(fileout.Get());
-    if (fileOutPos < 0)
-        return error("WriteBlockToDisk: ftell failed");
-    pos.nPos = (unsigned int)fileOutPos;
-    fileout << block;
-
-    return true;
-}
-
-bool ReadBlockFromDisk(CBlock& block, const FlatFilePos& pos, const Consensus::Params& consensusParams)
-{
-    block.SetNull();
-
-    // Open history file to read
-    CAutoFile filein(OpenBlockFile(pos, true), SER_DISK, CLIENT_VERSION);
-    if (filein.IsNull())
-        return error("ReadBlockFromDisk: OpenBlockFile failed for %s", pos.ToString());
-
-    // Read block
-    try {
-        filein >> block;
-    }
-    catch (const std::exception& e) {
-        return error("%s: Deserialize or I/O error - %s at %s", __func__, e.what(), pos.ToString());
-    }
-
-    // Check the header
-    if (!CheckProofOfWork(block.GetHash(), block.nBits, consensusParams))
-        return error("ReadBlockFromDisk: Errors in block header at %s", pos.ToString());
-
-    return true;
-}
-
-bool ReadBlockFromDisk(CBlock& block, const CBlockIndex* pindex, const Consensus::Params& consensusParams)
-{
-    FlatFilePos blockPos;
-    {
-        LOCK(cs_main);
-        blockPos = pindex->GetBlockPos();
-    }
-
-    if (!ReadBlockFromDisk(block, blockPos, consensusParams))
-        return false;
-    if (block.GetHash() != pindex->GetBlockHash())
-        return error("ReadBlockFromDisk(CBlock&, CBlockIndex*): GetHash() doesn't match index for %s at %s",
-                pindex->ToString(), pindex->GetBlockPos().ToString());
-    return true;
-}
-
 double ConvertBitsToDouble(unsigned int nBits)
 {
     int nShift = (nBits >> 24) & 0xff;
@@ -1676,19 +1611,6 @@ bool UndoReadFromDisk(CBlockUndo& blockundo, const CBlockIndex* pindex)
     return true;
 }
 
-/** Abort with a message */
-static bool AbortNode(const std::string& strMessage, bilingual_str user_message = bilingual_str())
-{
-    SetMiscWarning(strMessage);
-    LogPrintf("*** %s\n", strMessage);
-    if (user_message.empty()) {
-        user_message = _("A fatal internal error occurred, see debug.log for details");
-    }
-    AbortError(user_message);
-    StartShutdown();
-    return false;
-}
-
 static bool AbortNode(BlockValidationState& state, const std::string& strMessage, const bilingual_str& userMessage = bilingual_str())
 {
     AbortNode(strMessage, userMessage);
@@ -3759,7 +3681,8 @@ void CChainState::ReceivedBlockTransactions(const CBlock& block, CBlockIndex* pi
     }
 }
 
-static bool FindBlockPos(FlatFilePos &pos, unsigned int nAddSize, unsigned int nHeight, CChain& active_chain, uint64_t nTime, bool fKnown = false)
+// TODO move to blockstorage
+bool FindBlockPos(FlatFilePos& pos, unsigned int nAddSize, unsigned int nHeight, CChain& active_chain, uint64_t nTime, bool fKnown = false)
 {
     LOCK(cs_LastBlockFile);
 
@@ -4224,25 +4147,6 @@ bool ChainstateManager::ProcessNewBlockHeaders(const std::vector<CBlockHeader>&
     return true;
 }
 
-/** Store block on disk. If dbp is non-nullptr, the file is known to already reside on disk */
-static FlatFilePos SaveBlockToDisk(const CBlock& block, int nHeight, CChain& active_chain, const CChainParams& chainparams, const FlatFilePos* dbp) {
-    unsigned int nBlockSize = ::GetSerializeSize(block, CLIENT_VERSION);
-    FlatFilePos blockPos;
-    if (dbp != nullptr)
-        blockPos = *dbp;
-    if (!FindBlockPos(blockPos, nBlockSize+8, nHeight, active_chain, block.GetBlockTime(), dbp != nullptr)) {
-        error("%s: FindBlockPos failed", __func__);
-        return FlatFilePos();
-    }
-    if (dbp == nullptr) {
-        if (!WriteBlockToDisk(block, blockPos, chainparams.MessageStart())) {
-            AbortNode("Failed to write block");
-            return FlatFilePos();
-        }
-    }
-    return blockPos;
-}
-
 /** Store block on disk. If dbp is non-nullptr, the file is known to already reside on disk */
 bool CChainState::AcceptBlock(const std::shared_ptr<const CBlock>& pblock, BlockValidationState& state, CBlockIndex** ppindex, bool fRequested, const FlatFilePos* dbp, bool* fNewBlock)
 {
diff --git a/src/validation.h b/src/validation.h
index a18153ccff..6c80cb7518 100644
--- a/src/validation.h
+++ b/src/validation.h
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
 #include <set>
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <string>
+#include <thread>
 #include <utility>
 #include <vector>
 
@@ -312,13 +313,6 @@ bool GetAddressUnspent(uint160 addressHash, int type,
 /** Initializes the script-execution cache */
 void InitScriptExecutionCache();
 
-
-/** Functions for disk access for blocks */
-bool ReadBlockFromDisk(CBlock& block, const FlatFilePos& pos, const Consensus::Params& consensusParams);
-bool ReadBlockFromDisk(CBlock& block, const CBlockIndex* pindex, const Consensus::Params& consensusParams);
-
-bool UndoReadFromDisk(CBlockUndo& blockundo, const CBlockIndex* pindex);
-
 /** Functions for validating blocks and updating the block tree */
 
 /** Context-independent validity checks */
@@ -921,6 +915,7 @@ private:
     friend CChain& ChainActive();
 
 public:
+    std::thread m_load_block;
     //! A single BlockManager instance is shared across each constructed
     //! chainstate to avoid duplicating block metadata.
     BlockManager m_blockman GUARDED_BY(::cs_main);
diff --git a/src/zmq/zmqpublishnotifier.cpp b/src/zmq/zmqpublishnotifier.cpp
index 2724f8b17b..0f4444c535 100644
--- a/src/zmq/zmqpublishnotifier.cpp
+++ b/src/zmq/zmqpublishnotifier.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 #include <chain.h>
 #include <chainparams.h>
+#include <node/blockstorage.h>
 #include <streams.h>
 #include <validation.h>
 #include <zmq/zmqutil.h>
diff --git a/test/lint/lint-circular-dependencies.sh b/test/lint/lint-circular-dependencies.sh
index 5839a54fa5..88b2d1d2c2 100755
--- a/test/lint/lint-circular-dependencies.sh
+++ b/test/lint/lint-circular-dependencies.sh
@@ -11,7 +11,9 @@ export LC_ALL=C
 EXPECTED_CIRCULAR_DEPENDENCIES=(
     "chainparamsbase -> util/system -> chainparamsbase"
     "index/txindex -> validation -> index/txindex"
-    "index/blockfilterindex -> validation -> index/blockfilterindex"
+    "node/blockstorage -> validation -> node/blockstorage"
+    "index/blockfilterindex -> node/blockstorage -> validation -> index/blockfilterindex"
+    "index/base -> validation -> index/blockfilterindex -> index/base"
     "policy/fees -> txmempool -> policy/fees"
     "qt/addresstablemodel -> qt/walletmodel -> qt/addresstablemodel"
     "qt/bitcoingui -> qt/walletframe -> qt/bitcoingui"
@@ -23,6 +25,7 @@ EXPECTED_CIRCULAR_DEPENDENCIES=(
     "node/coinstats -> validation -> node/coinstats"
     # Dash
     "coinjoin/server -> net_processing -> coinjoin/server"
+    "dsnotificationinterface -> llmq/chainlocks -> node/blockstorage -> dsnotificationinterface"
     "evo/cbtx -> evo/simplifiedmns -> evo/cbtx"
     "evo/deterministicmns -> llmq/commitment -> evo/deterministicmns"
     "evo/deterministicmns -> llmq/utils -> evo/deterministicmns"