diff --git a/lerna.json b/lerna.json
index 4130f46a317b..ebae5dcafabe 100644
--- a/lerna.json
+++ b/lerna.json
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
   ],
   "npmClient": "yarn",
   "useNx": true,
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "stream": true,
   "command": {
     "version": {
diff --git a/packages/api/package.json b/packages/api/package.json
index 2f1c5953a673..99f5094b4d24 100644
--- a/packages/api/package.json
+++ b/packages/api/package.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
   "bugs": {
     "url": "https://github.com/ChainSafe/lodestar/issues"
   },
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "type": "module",
   "exports": {
     ".": {
@@ -71,10 +71,10 @@
   "dependencies": {
     "@chainsafe/persistent-merkle-tree": "^0.6.1",
     "@chainsafe/ssz": "^0.14.0",
-    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1",
     "eventsource": "^2.0.2",
     "qs": "^6.11.1"
   },
diff --git a/packages/api/src/beacon/routes/beacon/block.ts b/packages/api/src/beacon/routes/beacon/block.ts
index 2d887790dd39..53ebb93692dc 100644
--- a/packages/api/src/beacon/routes/beacon/block.ts
+++ b/packages/api/src/beacon/routes/beacon/block.ts
@@ -52,7 +52,6 @@ export type BlockHeaderResponse = {
 };
 
 export enum BroadcastValidation {
-  none = "none",
   gossip = "gossip",
   consensus = "consensus",
   consensusAndEquivocation = "consensus_and_equivocation",
diff --git a/packages/api/test/unit/beacon/testData/beacon.ts b/packages/api/test/unit/beacon/testData/beacon.ts
index 5cb35540cf7a..54b2537648cb 100644
--- a/packages/api/test/unit/beacon/testData/beacon.ts
+++ b/packages/api/test/unit/beacon/testData/beacon.ts
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ export const testData: GenericServerTestCases<Api> = {
     res: undefined,
   },
   publishBlockV2: {
-    args: [ssz.phase0.SignedBeaconBlock.defaultValue(), {broadcastValidation: BroadcastValidation.none}],
+    args: [ssz.phase0.SignedBeaconBlock.defaultValue(), {broadcastValidation: BroadcastValidation.consensus}],
     res: undefined,
   },
   publishBlindedBlock: {
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ export const testData: GenericServerTestCases<Api> = {
     res: undefined,
   },
   publishBlindedBlockV2: {
-    args: [getDefaultBlindedBlock(64), {broadcastValidation: BroadcastValidation.none}],
+    args: [getDefaultBlindedBlock(64), {broadcastValidation: BroadcastValidation.consensus}],
     res: undefined,
   },
   getBlobSidecars: {
diff --git a/packages/beacon-node/package.json b/packages/beacon-node/package.json
index 083cc2410df1..1b8c9f607208 100644
--- a/packages/beacon-node/package.json
+++ b/packages/beacon-node/package.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
   "bugs": {
     "url": "https://github.com/ChainSafe/lodestar/issues"
   },
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "type": "module",
   "exports": {
     ".": {
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
     "@chainsafe/bls": "7.1.1",
     "@chainsafe/blst": "^0.2.9",
     "@chainsafe/discv5": "^5.1.0",
-    "@chainsafe/libp2p-gossipsub": "^10.1.0",
+    "@chainsafe/libp2p-gossipsub": "^10.1.1",
     "@chainsafe/libp2p-noise": "^13.0.1",
     "@chainsafe/persistent-merkle-tree": "^0.6.1",
     "@chainsafe/prometheus-gc-stats": "^1.0.0",
@@ -119,18 +119,18 @@
     "@libp2p/peer-id-factory": "^3.0.4",
     "@libp2p/prometheus-metrics": "^2.0.7",
     "@libp2p/tcp": "8.0.8",
-    "@lodestar/api": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/db": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/fork-choice": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/light-client": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/logger": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/reqresp": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/state-transition": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/validator": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/api": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/db": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/fork-choice": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/light-client": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/logger": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/reqresp": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/state-transition": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/validator": "^1.12.1",
     "@multiformats/multiaddr": "^12.1.3",
     "@types/datastore-level": "^3.0.0",
     "buffer-xor": "^2.0.2",
diff --git a/packages/beacon-node/src/api/impl/beacon/blocks/index.ts b/packages/beacon-node/src/api/impl/beacon/blocks/index.ts
index 3b36674dd613..1b2d0f10a85b 100644
--- a/packages/beacon-node/src/api/impl/beacon/blocks/index.ts
+++ b/packages/beacon-node/src/api/impl/beacon/blocks/index.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import {
   computeTimeAtSlot,
   parseSignedBlindedBlockOrContents,
   reconstructFullBlockOrContents,
+  DataAvailableStatus,
 } from "@lodestar/state-transition";
 import {SLOTS_PER_HISTORICAL_ROOT} from "@lodestar/params";
 import {sleep, toHex} from "@lodestar/utils";
@@ -15,6 +16,9 @@ import {BlockError, BlockErrorCode} from "../../../../chain/errors/index.js";
 import {OpSource} from "../../../../metrics/validatorMonitor.js";
 import {NetworkEvent} from "../../../../network/index.js";
 import {ApiModules} from "../../types.js";
+import {validateGossipBlock} from "../../../../chain/validation/block.js";
+import {verifyBlocksInEpoch} from "../../../../chain/blocks/verifyBlock.js";
+import {BeaconChain} from "../../../../chain/chain.js";
 import {resolveBlockId, toBeaconHeaderResponse} from "./utils.js";
 
 type PublishBlockOpts = ImportBlockOpts & {broadcastValidation?: routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation};
@@ -64,29 +68,86 @@ export function getBeaconBlockApi({
 
     // check what validations have been requested before broadcasting and publishing the block
     // TODO: add validation time to metrics
-    const broadcastValidation = opts.broadcastValidation ?? routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation.none;
+    const broadcastValidation = opts.broadcastValidation ?? routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation.gossip;
     // if block is locally produced, full or blinded, it already is 'consensus' validated as it went through
     // state transition to produce the stateRoot
     const slot = signedBlock.message.slot;
+    const fork = config.getForkName(slot);
     const blockRoot = toHex(chain.config.getForkTypes(slot).BeaconBlock.hashTreeRoot(signedBlock.message));
+    // bodyRoot should be the same to produced block
+    const bodyRoot = toHex(chain.config.getForkTypes(slot).BeaconBlockBody.hashTreeRoot(signedBlock.message.body));
     const blockLocallyProduced =
       chain.producedBlockRoot.has(blockRoot) || chain.producedBlindedBlockRoot.has(blockRoot);
-    const valLogMeta = {broadcastValidation, blockRoot, blockLocallyProduced, slot};
+    const valLogMeta = {broadcastValidation, blockRoot, bodyRoot, blockLocallyProduced, slot};
 
     switch (broadcastValidation) {
-      case routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation.none: {
-        if (blockLocallyProduced) {
-          chain.logger.debug("No broadcast validation requested for the block", valLogMeta);
-        } else {
-          chain.logger.warn("No broadcast validation requested for the block", valLogMeta);
+      case routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation.gossip: {
+        if (!blockLocallyProduced) {
+          try {
+            await validateGossipBlock(config, chain, signedBlock, fork);
+          } catch (error) {
+            chain.logger.error("Gossip validations failed while publishing the block", valLogMeta, error as Error);
+            chain.persistInvalidSszValue(
+              chain.config.getForkTypes(slot).SignedBeaconBlock,
+              signedBlock,
+              "api_reject_gossip_failure"
+            );
+            throw error;
+          }
         }
+        chain.logger.debug("Gossip checks validated while publishing the block", valLogMeta);
         break;
       }
+
+      case routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation.consensusAndEquivocation:
       case routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation.consensus: {
         // check if this beacon node produced the block else run validations
         if (!blockLocallyProduced) {
-          // error or log warning that we support consensus val on blocks produced via this beacon node
-          const message = "Consensus validation not implemented yet for block not produced by this beacon node";
+          const parentBlock = chain.forkChoice.getBlock(signedBlock.message.parentRoot);
+          if (parentBlock === null) {
+            network.events.emit(NetworkEvent.unknownBlockParent, {
+              blockInput: blockForImport,
+              peer: IDENTITY_PEER_ID,
+            });
+            chain.persistInvalidSszValue(
+              chain.config.getForkTypes(slot).SignedBeaconBlock,
+              signedBlock,
+              "api_reject_parent_unknown"
+            );
+            throw new BlockError(signedBlock, {
+              code: BlockErrorCode.PARENT_UNKNOWN,
+              parentRoot: toHexString(signedBlock.message.parentRoot),
+            });
+          }
+
+          try {
+            await verifyBlocksInEpoch.call(
+              chain as BeaconChain,
+              parentBlock,
+              [blockForImport],
+              [DataAvailableStatus.available],
+              {
+                ...opts,
+                verifyOnly: true,
+                skipVerifyBlockSignatures: true,
+                skipVerifyExecutionPayload: true,
+              }
+            );
+          } catch (error) {
+            chain.logger.error("Consensus checks failed while publishing the block", valLogMeta, error as Error);
+            chain.persistInvalidSszValue(
+              chain.config.getForkTypes(slot).SignedBeaconBlock,
+              signedBlock,
+              "api_reject_consensus_failure"
+            );
+            throw error;
+          }
+        }
+
+        chain.logger.debug("Consensus validated while publishing block", valLogMeta);
+
+        if (broadcastValidation === routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation.consensusAndEquivocation) {
+          const message = `Equivocation checks not yet implemented for broadcastValidation=${broadcastValidation}`;
           if (chain.opts.broadcastValidationStrictness === "error") {
             throw Error(message);
           } else {
@@ -102,7 +163,7 @@ export function getBeaconBlockApi({
         if (chain.opts.broadcastValidationStrictness === "error") {
           throw Error(message);
         } else {
-          chain.logger.warn(message);
+          chain.logger.warn(message, valLogMeta);
         }
       }
     }
@@ -163,6 +224,8 @@ export function getBeaconBlockApi({
       : undefined;
     const blobs = blobSidecars ? blobSidecars.map((blobSidecar) => blobSidecar.blob) : null;
 
+    chain.logger.debug("Assembling blinded block for publishing", {source, blockRoot, slot});
+
     const signedBlockOrContents =
       source === ProducedBlockSource.engine
         ? reconstructFullBlockOrContents({signedBlindedBlock, signedBlindedBlobSidecars}, {executionPayload, blobs})
diff --git a/packages/beacon-node/src/api/impl/validator/index.ts b/packages/beacon-node/src/api/impl/validator/index.ts
index b14e1b3ade52..e41c4c97bc63 100644
--- a/packages/beacon-node/src/api/impl/validator/index.ts
+++ b/packages/beacon-node/src/api/impl/validator/index.ts
@@ -309,6 +309,9 @@ export function getValidatorApi({
       });
 
       const version = config.getForkName(block.slot);
+      if (chain.opts.persistProducedBlocks) {
+        void chain.persistBlock(block, "produced_builder_block");
+      }
       if (isForkBlobs(version)) {
         const blockHash = toHex((block as bellatrix.BlindedBeaconBlock).body.executionPayloadHeader.blockHash);
         const blindedBlobSidecars = chain.producedBlindedBlobSidecarsCache.get(blockHash);
@@ -377,6 +380,9 @@ export function getValidatorApi({
         executionPayloadValue,
         root: toHexString(config.getForkTypes(slot).BeaconBlock.hashTreeRoot(block)),
       });
+      if (chain.opts.persistProducedBlocks) {
+        void chain.persistBlock(block, "produced_engine_block");
+      }
       if (isForkBlobs(version)) {
         const blockHash = toHex((block as bellatrix.BeaconBlock).body.executionPayload.blockHash);
         const blobSidecars = chain.producedBlobSidecarsCache.get(blockHash);
@@ -478,16 +484,17 @@ export function getValidatorApi({
             delayMs,
             cutoffMs: BLOCK_PRODUCTION_RACE_CUTOFF_MS,
             timeoutMs: BLOCK_PRODUCTION_RACE_TIMEOUT_MS,
+            slot,
           });
         }
       );
       if (blindedBlock instanceof Error) {
         // error here means race cutoff exceeded
-        logger.error("Failed to produce builder block", {}, blindedBlock);
+        logger.error("Failed to produce builder block", {slot}, blindedBlock);
         blindedBlock = null;
       }
       if (fullBlock instanceof Error) {
-        logger.error("Failed to produce execution block", {}, fullBlock);
+        logger.error("Failed to produce execution block", {slot}, fullBlock);
         fullBlock = null;
       }
     } else if (blindedBlockPromise !== null && fullBlockPromise === null) {
@@ -535,23 +542,26 @@ export function getValidatorApi({
         // winston logger doesn't like bigint
         enginePayloadValue: `${enginePayloadValue}`,
         builderPayloadValue: `${builderPayloadValue}`,
+        slot,
       });
     } else if (fullBlock && !blindedBlock) {
       selectedSource = ProducedBlockSource.engine;
       logger.verbose("Selected engine block: no builder block produced", {
         // winston logger doesn't like bigint
         enginePayloadValue: `${enginePayloadValue}`,
+        slot,
       });
     } else if (blindedBlock && !fullBlock) {
       selectedSource = ProducedBlockSource.builder;
       logger.verbose("Selected builder block: no engine block produced", {
         // winston logger doesn't like bigint
         builderPayloadValue: `${builderPayloadValue}`,
+        slot,
       });
     }
 
     if (selectedSource === null) {
-      throw Error("Failed to produce engine or builder block");
+      throw Error(`Failed to produce engine or builder block for slot=${slot}`);
     }
 
     if (selectedSource === ProducedBlockSource.engine) {
diff --git a/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/blocks/verifyBlock.ts b/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/blocks/verifyBlock.ts
index 77c6b4832bbc..a273b2ba7d55 100644
--- a/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/blocks/verifyBlock.ts
+++ b/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/blocks/verifyBlock.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import {
 } from "@lodestar/state-transition";
 import {bellatrix} from "@lodestar/types";
 import {ForkName} from "@lodestar/params";
-import {ProtoBlock} from "@lodestar/fork-choice";
+import {ProtoBlock, ExecutionStatus} from "@lodestar/fork-choice";
 import {ChainForkConfig} from "@lodestar/config";
 import {Logger} from "@lodestar/utils";
 import {BlockError, BlockErrorCode} from "../errors/index.js";
@@ -89,7 +89,14 @@ export async function verifyBlocksInEpoch(
     // batch all I/O operations to reduce overhead
     const [segmentExecStatus, {postStates, proposerBalanceDeltas}] = await Promise.all([
       // Execution payloads
-      verifyBlocksExecutionPayload(this, parentBlock, blocks, preState0, abortController.signal, opts),
+      opts.skipVerifyExecutionPayload !== true
+        ? verifyBlocksExecutionPayload(this, parentBlock, blocks, preState0, abortController.signal, opts)
+        : Promise.resolve({
+            execAborted: null,
+            executionStatuses: blocks.map((_blk) => ExecutionStatus.Syncing),
+            mergeBlockFound: null,
+          } as SegmentExecStatus),
+
       // Run state transition only
       // TODO: Ensure it yields to allow flushing to workers and engine API
       verifyBlocksStateTransitionOnly(
@@ -103,37 +110,43 @@ export async function verifyBlocksInEpoch(
       ),
 
       // All signatures at once
-      verifyBlocksSignatures(this.bls, this.logger, this.metrics, preState0, blocks, opts),
+      opts.skipVerifyBlockSignatures !== true
+        ? verifyBlocksSignatures(this.bls, this.logger, this.metrics, preState0, blocks, opts)
+        : Promise.resolve(),
 
       // ideally we want to only persist blocks after verifying them however the reality is there are
       // rarely invalid blocks we'll batch all I/O operation here to reduce the overhead if there's
       // an error, we'll remove blocks not in forkchoice
-      opts.eagerPersistBlock ? writeBlockInputToDb.call(this, blocksInput) : Promise.resolve(),
+      opts.verifyOnly !== true && opts.eagerPersistBlock
+        ? writeBlockInputToDb.call(this, blocksInput)
+        : Promise.resolve(),
     ]);
 
-    if (segmentExecStatus.execAborted === null && segmentExecStatus.mergeBlockFound !== null) {
-      // merge block found and is fully valid = state transition + signatures + execution payload.
-      // TODO: Will this banner be logged during syncing?
-      logOnPowBlock(this.logger, this.config, segmentExecStatus.mergeBlockFound);
-    }
+    if (opts.verifyOnly !== true) {
+      if (segmentExecStatus.execAborted === null && segmentExecStatus.mergeBlockFound !== null) {
+        // merge block found and is fully valid = state transition + signatures + execution payload.
+        // TODO: Will this banner be logged during syncing?
+        logOnPowBlock(this.logger, this.config, segmentExecStatus.mergeBlockFound);
+      }
 
-    const fromFork = this.config.getForkName(parentBlock.slot);
-    const toFork = this.config.getForkName(blocks[blocks.length - 1].message.slot);
+      const fromFork = this.config.getForkName(parentBlock.slot);
+      const toFork = this.config.getForkName(blocks[blocks.length - 1].message.slot);
 
-    // If transition through toFork, note won't happen if ${toFork}_EPOCH = 0, will log double on re-org
-    if (toFork !== fromFork) {
-      switch (toFork) {
-        case ForkName.capella:
-          this.logger.info(CAPELLA_OWL_BANNER);
-          this.logger.info("Activating withdrawals", {epoch: this.config.CAPELLA_FORK_EPOCH});
-          break;
+      // If transition through toFork, note won't happen if ${toFork}_EPOCH = 0, will log double on re-org
+      if (toFork !== fromFork) {
+        switch (toFork) {
+          case ForkName.capella:
+            this.logger.info(CAPELLA_OWL_BANNER);
+            this.logger.info("Activating withdrawals", {epoch: this.config.CAPELLA_FORK_EPOCH});
+            break;
 
-        case ForkName.deneb:
-          this.logger.info(DENEB_BLOWFISH_BANNER);
-          this.logger.info("Activating blobs", {epoch: this.config.DENEB_FORK_EPOCH});
-          break;
+          case ForkName.deneb:
+            this.logger.info(DENEB_BLOWFISH_BANNER);
+            this.logger.info("Activating blobs", {epoch: this.config.DENEB_FORK_EPOCH});
+            break;
 
-        default:
+          default:
+        }
       }
     }
 
diff --git a/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/blocks/verifyBlocksExecutionPayloads.ts b/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/blocks/verifyBlocksExecutionPayloads.ts
index 88d56171c7a3..7f4edd14c618 100644
--- a/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/blocks/verifyBlocksExecutionPayloads.ts
+++ b/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/blocks/verifyBlocksExecutionPayloads.ts
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import {
 } from "@lodestar/fork-choice";
 import {ChainForkConfig} from "@lodestar/config";
 import {ErrorAborted, Logger} from "@lodestar/utils";
-import {ForkSeq} from "@lodestar/params";
+import {ForkSeq, SAFE_SLOTS_TO_IMPORT_OPTIMISTICALLY} from "@lodestar/params";
 
 import {IExecutionEngine} from "../../execution/engine/interface.js";
 import {BlockError, BlockErrorCode} from "../errors/index.js";
@@ -143,9 +143,10 @@ export async function verifyBlocksExecutionPayload(
   const lastBlock = blocks[blocks.length - 1];
 
   const currentSlot = chain.clock.currentSlot;
+  const safeSlotsToImportOptimistically = opts.safeSlotsToImportOptimistically ?? SAFE_SLOTS_TO_IMPORT_OPTIMISTICALLY;
   let isOptimisticallySafe =
     parentBlock.executionStatus !== ExecutionStatus.PreMerge ||
-    lastBlock.message.slot + opts.safeSlotsToImportOptimistically < currentSlot;
+    lastBlock.message.slot + safeSlotsToImportOptimistically < currentSlot;
 
   for (let blockIndex = 0; blockIndex < blocks.length; blockIndex++) {
     const block = blocks[blockIndex];
@@ -331,7 +332,9 @@ export async function verifyBlockExecutionPayload(
       // Check if the entire segment was deemed safe or, this block specifically itself if not in
       // the safeSlotsToImportOptimistically window of current slot, then we can import else
       // we need to throw and not import his block
-      if (!isOptimisticallySafe && block.message.slot + opts.safeSlotsToImportOptimistically >= currentSlot) {
+      const safeSlotsToImportOptimistically =
+        opts.safeSlotsToImportOptimistically ?? SAFE_SLOTS_TO_IMPORT_OPTIMISTICALLY;
+      if (!isOptimisticallySafe && block.message.slot + safeSlotsToImportOptimistically >= currentSlot) {
         const execError = new BlockError(block, {
           code: BlockErrorCode.EXECUTION_ENGINE_ERROR,
           execStatus: ExecutionPayloadStatus.UNSAFE_OPTIMISTIC_STATUS,
diff --git a/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/chain.ts b/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/chain.ts
index 18c37a3ba437..56409dc89d21 100644
--- a/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/chain.ts
+++ b/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/chain.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import path from "node:path";
-import {CompositeTypeAny, fromHexString, TreeView, Type} from "@chainsafe/ssz";
+import {CompositeTypeAny, fromHexString, toHexString, TreeView, Type} from "@chainsafe/ssz";
 import {
   BeaconStateAllForks,
   CachedBeaconStateAllForks,
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import {
   deneb,
   Wei,
   bellatrix,
+  isBlindedBeaconBlock,
 } from "@lodestar/types";
 import {CheckpointWithHex, ExecutionStatus, IForkChoice, ProtoBlock} from "@lodestar/fork-choice";
 import {ProcessShutdownCallback} from "@lodestar/validator";
@@ -496,6 +497,17 @@ export class BeaconChain implements IBeaconChain {
       proposerPubKey,
     });
 
+    // The hashtree root computed here for debug log will get cached and hence won't introduce additional delays
+    const bodyRoot =
+      blockType === BlockType.Full
+        ? this.config.getForkTypes(slot).BeaconBlockBody.hashTreeRoot(body)
+        : this.config.getBlindedForkTypes(slot).BeaconBlockBody.hashTreeRoot(body as allForks.BlindedBeaconBlockBody);
+    this.logger.debug("Computing block post state from the produced body", {
+      slot,
+      bodyRoot: toHexString(bodyRoot),
+      blockType,
+    });
+
     const block = {
       slot,
       proposerIndex,
@@ -503,16 +515,20 @@ export class BeaconChain implements IBeaconChain {
       stateRoot: ZERO_HASH,
       body,
     } as AssembledBlockType<T>;
-
     block.stateRoot = computeNewStateRoot(this.metrics, state, block);
+    const blockRoot =
+      blockType === BlockType.Full
+        ? this.config.getForkTypes(slot).BeaconBlock.hashTreeRoot(block)
+        : this.config.getBlindedForkTypes(slot).BeaconBlock.hashTreeRoot(block as allForks.BlindedBeaconBlock);
+    const blockRootHex = toHex(blockRoot);
 
     // track the produced block for consensus broadcast validations
-    const blockRoot = this.config.getForkTypes(slot).BeaconBlock.hashTreeRoot(block);
-    const blockRootHex = toHex(blockRoot);
     if (blockType === BlockType.Full) {
+      this.logger.debug("Setting executionPayload cache for produced block", {blockRootHex, slot, blockType});
       this.producedBlockRoot.set(blockRootHex, (block as bellatrix.BeaconBlock).body.executionPayload ?? null);
       this.metrics?.blockProductionCaches.producedBlockRoot.set(this.producedBlockRoot.size);
     } else {
+      this.logger.debug("Tracking the produced blinded block", {blockRootHex, slot, blockType});
       this.producedBlindedBlockRoot.add(blockRootHex);
       this.metrics?.blockProductionCaches.producedBlindedBlockRoot.set(this.producedBlindedBlockRoot.size);
     }
@@ -622,21 +638,32 @@ export class BeaconChain implements IBeaconChain {
     return this.reprocessController.waitForBlockOfAttestation(slot, root);
   }
 
+  persistBlock(data: allForks.BeaconBlock | allForks.BlindedBeaconBlock, suffix?: string): void {
+    const slot = data.slot;
+    if (isBlindedBeaconBlock(data)) {
+      const sszType = this.config.getBlindedForkTypes(slot).BeaconBlock;
+      void this.persistSszObject("BlindedBeaconBlock", sszType.serialize(data), sszType.hashTreeRoot(data), suffix);
+    } else {
+      const sszType = this.config.getForkTypes(slot).BeaconBlock;
+      void this.persistSszObject("BeaconBlock", sszType.serialize(data), sszType.hashTreeRoot(data), suffix);
+    }
+  }
+
   persistInvalidSszValue<T>(type: Type<T>, sszObject: T, suffix?: string): void {
     if (this.opts.persistInvalidSszObjects) {
-      void this.persistInvalidSszObject(type.typeName, type.serialize(sszObject), type.hashTreeRoot(sszObject), suffix);
+      void this.persistSszObject(type.typeName, type.serialize(sszObject), type.hashTreeRoot(sszObject), suffix);
     }
   }
 
   persistInvalidSszBytes(typeName: string, sszBytes: Uint8Array, suffix?: string): void {
     if (this.opts.persistInvalidSszObjects) {
-      void this.persistInvalidSszObject(typeName, sszBytes, sszBytes, suffix);
+      void this.persistSszObject(typeName, sszBytes, sszBytes, suffix);
     }
   }
 
   persistInvalidSszView(view: TreeView<CompositeTypeAny>, suffix?: string): void {
     if (this.opts.persistInvalidSszObjects) {
-      void this.persistInvalidSszObject(view.type.typeName, view.serialize(), view.hashTreeRoot(), suffix);
+      void this.persistSszObject(view.type.typeName, view.serialize(), view.hashTreeRoot(), suffix);
     }
   }
 
@@ -729,16 +756,12 @@ export class BeaconChain implements IBeaconChain {
     return {state: blockState, stateId: "block_state_any_epoch", shouldWarn: true};
   }
 
-  private async persistInvalidSszObject(
+  private async persistSszObject(
     typeName: string,
     bytes: Uint8Array,
     root: Uint8Array,
     suffix?: string
   ): Promise<void> {
-    if (!this.opts.persistInvalidSszObjects) {
-      return;
-    }
-
     const now = new Date();
     // yyyy-MM-dd
     const dateStr = now.toISOString().split("T")[0];
diff --git a/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/interface.ts b/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/interface.ts
index 8d6f7f419d7b..59beb122a212 100644
--- a/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/interface.ts
+++ b/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/interface.ts
@@ -156,6 +156,7 @@ export interface IBeaconChain {
 
   updateBeaconProposerData(epoch: Epoch, proposers: ProposerPreparationData[]): Promise<void>;
 
+  persistBlock(data: allForks.BeaconBlock | allForks.BlindedBeaconBlock, suffix?: string): void;
   persistInvalidSszValue<T>(type: Type<T>, sszObject: T | Uint8Array, suffix?: string): void;
   persistInvalidSszBytes(type: string, sszBytes: Uint8Array, suffix?: string): void;
   /** Persist bad items to persistInvalidSszObjectsDir dir, for example invalid state, attestations etc. */
diff --git a/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/opPools/aggregatedAttestationPool.ts b/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/opPools/aggregatedAttestationPool.ts
index f9911275b6ee..00309d322a11 100644
--- a/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/opPools/aggregatedAttestationPool.ts
+++ b/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/opPools/aggregatedAttestationPool.ts
@@ -166,10 +166,16 @@ export class AggregatedAttestationPool {
       }
     }
 
-    return attestationsByScore
-      .sort((a, b) => b.score - a.score)
-      .slice(0, MAX_ATTESTATIONS)
-      .map((attestation) => attestation.attestation);
+    const sortedAttestationsByScore = attestationsByScore.sort((a, b) => b.score - a.score);
+    const attestationsForBlock: phase0.Attestation[] = [];
+    for (const [i, attestationWithScore] of sortedAttestationsByScore.entries()) {
+      if (i >= MAX_ATTESTATIONS) {
+        break;
+      }
+      // attestations could be modified in this op pool, so we need to clone for block
+      attestationsForBlock.push(ssz.phase0.Attestation.clone(attestationWithScore.attestation));
+    }
+    return attestationsForBlock;
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/options.ts b/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/options.ts
index 9f826d1a2403..d71cd55df673 100644
--- a/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/options.ts
+++ b/packages/beacon-node/src/chain/options.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ export type IChainOptions = BlockProcessOpts &
   LightClientServerOpts & {
     blsVerifyAllMainThread?: boolean;
     blsVerifyAllMultiThread?: boolean;
+    persistProducedBlocks?: boolean;
     persistInvalidSszObjects?: boolean;
     persistInvalidSszObjectsDir?: string;
     skipCreateStateCacheIfAvailable?: boolean;
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@ export type BlockProcessOpts = {
   /**
    * Override SAFE_SLOTS_TO_IMPORT_OPTIMISTICALLY
    */
-  safeSlotsToImportOptimistically: number;
+  safeSlotsToImportOptimistically?: number;
   /**
    * Assert progressive balances the same to EpochTransitionCache
    */
@@ -53,6 +54,17 @@ export type BlockProcessOpts = {
    */
   disableImportExecutionFcU?: boolean;
   emitPayloadAttributes?: boolean;
+
+  /**
+   * Used to specify to specify to run verifications only and not
+   * to save the block or log transitions for e.g. doing
+   * broadcastValidation while publishing the block
+   */
+  verifyOnly?: boolean;
+  /** Used to specify to skip execution payload validation */
+  skipVerifyExecutionPayload?: boolean;
+  /** Used to specify to skip block signatures validation */
+  skipVerifyBlockSignatures?: boolean;
 };
 
 export type PoolOpts = {
diff --git a/packages/cli/package.json b/packages/cli/package.json
index 4089b1c2d5ed..2d58e12a987a 100644
--- a/packages/cli/package.json
+++ b/packages/cli/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@chainsafe/lodestar",
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "description": "Command line interface for lodestar",
   "author": "ChainSafe Systems",
   "license": "LGPL-3.0",
@@ -65,17 +65,17 @@
     "@libp2p/crypto": "^2.0.4",
     "@libp2p/peer-id": "^3.0.2",
     "@libp2p/peer-id-factory": "^3.0.4",
-    "@lodestar/api": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/beacon-node": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/db": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/light-client": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/logger": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/state-transition": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/validator": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/api": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/beacon-node": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/db": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/light-client": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/logger": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/state-transition": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/validator": "^1.12.1",
     "@multiformats/multiaddr": "^12.1.3",
     "@types/lockfile": "^1.0.2",
     "bip39": "^3.1.0",
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@
     "yargs": "^17.7.1"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
-    "@lodestar/test-utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/test-utils": "^1.12.1",
     "@types/debug": "^4.1.7",
     "@types/expand-tilde": "^2.0.0",
     "@types/got": "^9.6.12",
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/cmds/validator/handler.ts b/packages/cli/src/cmds/validator/handler.ts
index 8537500684ca..fe14cedbcca1 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/cmds/validator/handler.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/cmds/validator/handler.ts
@@ -169,6 +169,7 @@ export async function validatorHandler(args: IValidatorCliArgs & GlobalArgs): Pr
       valProposerConfig,
       distributed: args.distributed,
       useProduceBlockV3: args.useProduceBlockV3,
+      broadcastValidation: parseBroadcastValidation(args.broadcastValidation),
     },
     metrics
   );
@@ -268,3 +269,18 @@ function parseBuilderSelection(builderSelection?: string): routes.validator.Buil
   }
   return builderSelection as routes.validator.BuilderSelection;
 }
+
+function parseBroadcastValidation(broadcastValidation?: string): routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation | undefined {
+  if (broadcastValidation) {
+    switch (broadcastValidation) {
+      case "gossip":
+      case "consensus":
+      case "consensus_and_equivocation":
+        break;
+      default:
+        throw Error("Invalid input for broadcastValidation, check help");
+    }
+  }
+
+  return broadcastValidation as routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation;
+}
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/cmds/validator/options.ts b/packages/cli/src/cmds/validator/options.ts
index d3af927deca6..a14e5530844d 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/cmds/validator/options.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/cmds/validator/options.ts
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ export type IValidatorCliArgs = AccountValidatorArgs &
     "builder.selection"?: string;
 
     useProduceBlockV3?: boolean;
+    broadcastValidation?: string;
 
     importKeystores?: string[];
     importKeystoresPassword?: string;
@@ -250,6 +251,12 @@ export const validatorOptions: CliCommandOptions<IValidatorCliArgs> = {
     defaultDescription: `${defaultOptions.useProduceBlockV3}`,
   },
 
+  broadcastValidation: {
+    type: "string",
+    description: "Validations to be run by beacon node for the signed block prior to publishing",
+    defaultDescription: `${defaultOptions.broadcastValidation}`,
+  },
+
   importKeystores: {
     alias: ["keystore"], // Backwards compatibility with old `validator import` cmdx
     description: "Path(s) to a directory or single file path to validator keystores, i.e. Launchpad validators",
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/options/beaconNodeOptions/chain.ts b/packages/cli/src/options/beaconNodeOptions/chain.ts
index 359b77740b00..5aef805f61f2 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/options/beaconNodeOptions/chain.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/options/beaconNodeOptions/chain.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ export type ChainArgs = {
   "chain.blsVerifyAllMultiThread"?: boolean;
   "chain.blsVerifyAllMainThread"?: boolean;
   "chain.disableBlsBatchVerify"?: boolean;
+  "chain.persistProducedBlocks"?: boolean;
   "chain.persistInvalidSszObjects"?: boolean;
   // No need to define chain.persistInvalidSszObjects as part of ChainArgs
   // as this is defined as part of BeaconPaths
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ export function parseArgs(args: ChainArgs): IBeaconNodeOptions["chain"] {
     blsVerifyAllMultiThread: args["chain.blsVerifyAllMultiThread"],
     blsVerifyAllMainThread: args["chain.blsVerifyAllMainThread"],
     disableBlsBatchVerify: args["chain.disableBlsBatchVerify"],
+    persistProducedBlocks: args["chain.persistProducedBlocks"],
     persistInvalidSszObjects: args["chain.persistInvalidSszObjects"],
     // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-unsafe-assignment, @typescript-eslint/no-explicit-any
     persistInvalidSszObjectsDir: undefined as any,
@@ -94,6 +96,13 @@ Will double processing times. Use only for debugging purposes.",
     group: "chain",
   },
 
+  "chain.persistProducedBlocks": {
+    hidden: true,
+    type: "boolean",
+    description: "Persist produced blocks or not for debugging purpose",
+    group: "chain",
+  },
+
   "chain.persistInvalidSszObjects": {
     hidden: true,
     type: "boolean",
diff --git a/packages/cli/test/unit/options/beaconNodeOptions.test.ts b/packages/cli/test/unit/options/beaconNodeOptions.test.ts
index 4f5050d87daf..fe2433bb5030 100644
--- a/packages/cli/test/unit/options/beaconNodeOptions.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/test/unit/options/beaconNodeOptions.test.ts
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ describe("options / beaconNodeOptions", () => {
       "chain.blsVerifyAllMultiThread": true,
       "chain.blsVerifyAllMainThread": true,
       "chain.disableBlsBatchVerify": true,
+      "chain.persistProducedBlocks": true,
       "chain.persistInvalidSszObjects": true,
       "chain.proposerBoostEnabled": false,
       "chain.disableImportExecutionFcU": false,
@@ -121,6 +122,7 @@ describe("options / beaconNodeOptions", () => {
         blsVerifyAllMultiThread: true,
         blsVerifyAllMainThread: true,
         disableBlsBatchVerify: true,
+        persistProducedBlocks: true,
         persistInvalidSszObjects: true,
         proposerBoostEnabled: false,
         disableImportExecutionFcU: false,
diff --git a/packages/config/package.json b/packages/config/package.json
index 7814c9a18778..93f60ebeef5e 100644
--- a/packages/config/package.json
+++ b/packages/config/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@lodestar/config",
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "description": "Chain configuration required for lodestar",
   "author": "ChainSafe Systems",
   "license": "Apache-2.0",
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
   ],
   "dependencies": {
     "@chainsafe/ssz": "^0.14.0",
-    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.0"
+    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.1"
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/db/package.json b/packages/db/package.json
index 961dadf19ecf..153960931e00 100644
--- a/packages/db/package.json
+++ b/packages/db/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@lodestar/db",
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "description": "DB modules of Lodestar",
   "author": "ChainSafe Systems",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/ChainSafe/lodestar#readme",
@@ -38,13 +38,13 @@
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@chainsafe/ssz": "^0.14.0",
-    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1",
     "@types/levelup": "^4.3.3",
     "it-all": "^3.0.2",
     "level": "^8.0.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
-    "@lodestar/logger": "^1.12.0"
+    "@lodestar/logger": "^1.12.1"
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/flare/package.json b/packages/flare/package.json
index dc4157415bd8..deef9bb34d38 100644
--- a/packages/flare/package.json
+++ b/packages/flare/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@lodestar/flare",
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "description": "Beacon chain debugging tool",
   "author": "ChainSafe Systems",
   "license": "Apache-2.0",
@@ -60,12 +60,12 @@
   "dependencies": {
     "@chainsafe/bls": "7.1.1",
     "@chainsafe/bls-keygen": "^0.3.0",
-    "@lodestar/api": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/state-transition": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/api": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/state-transition": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1",
     "source-map-support": "^0.5.21",
     "yargs": "^17.7.1"
   },
diff --git a/packages/fork-choice/package.json b/packages/fork-choice/package.json
index 5789c0109dd9..c1b71d818b52 100644
--- a/packages/fork-choice/package.json
+++ b/packages/fork-choice/package.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
   "bugs": {
     "url": "https://github.com/ChainSafe/lodestar/issues"
   },
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "type": "module",
   "exports": "./lib/index.js",
   "types": "./lib/index.d.ts",
@@ -39,11 +39,11 @@
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@chainsafe/ssz": "^0.14.0",
-    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/state-transition": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0"
+    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/state-transition": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1"
   },
   "keywords": [
     "ethereum",
diff --git a/packages/light-client/package.json b/packages/light-client/package.json
index c6068fa1b4d9..d145cdb40708 100644
--- a/packages/light-client/package.json
+++ b/packages/light-client/package.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
   "bugs": {
     "url": "https://github.com/ChainSafe/lodestar/issues"
   },
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "type": "module",
   "exports": {
     ".": {
@@ -67,12 +67,12 @@
     "@chainsafe/bls": "7.1.1",
     "@chainsafe/persistent-merkle-tree": "^0.6.1",
     "@chainsafe/ssz": "^0.14.0",
-    "@lodestar/api": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/state-transition": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/api": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/state-transition": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1",
     "mitt": "^3.0.0",
     "strict-event-emitter-types": "^2.0.0"
   },
diff --git a/packages/logger/package.json b/packages/logger/package.json
index cc26cb7123c7..82a503652006 100644
--- a/packages/logger/package.json
+++ b/packages/logger/package.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
   "bugs": {
     "url": "https://github.com/ChainSafe/lodestar/issues"
   },
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "type": "module",
   "exports": {
     ".": {
@@ -63,13 +63,13 @@
   },
   "types": "lib/index.d.ts",
   "dependencies": {
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1",
     "winston": "^3.8.2",
     "winston-daily-rotate-file": "^4.7.1",
     "winston-transport": "^4.5.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
-    "@lodestar/test-utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/test-utils": "^1.12.1",
     "@types/triple-beam": "^1.3.2",
     "rimraf": "^4.4.1",
     "triple-beam": "^1.3.0"
diff --git a/packages/params/package.json b/packages/params/package.json
index e3cacfc45b60..805b5bdb0fc1 100644
--- a/packages/params/package.json
+++ b/packages/params/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@lodestar/params",
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "description": "Chain parameters required for lodestar",
   "author": "ChainSafe Systems",
   "license": "Apache-2.0",
diff --git a/packages/prover/package.json b/packages/prover/package.json
index f4476ab32d14..cf117f46a346 100644
--- a/packages/prover/package.json
+++ b/packages/prover/package.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
   "bugs": {
     "url": "https://github.com/ChainSafe/lodestar/issues"
   },
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "type": "module",
   "exports": {
     ".": {
@@ -69,13 +69,13 @@
     "@ethereumjs/tx": "^4.1.2",
     "@ethereumjs/util": "^8.0.6",
     "@ethereumjs/vm": "^6.4.2",
-    "@lodestar/api": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/light-client": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/logger": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/api": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/light-client": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/logger": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1",
     "ethereum-cryptography": "^1.2.0",
     "find-up": "^6.3.0",
     "http-proxy": "^1.18.1",
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@
     "yargs": "^17.7.1"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
-    "@lodestar/test-utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/test-utils": "^1.12.1",
     "@types/http-proxy": "^1.17.10",
     "@types/yargs": "^17.0.24",
     "axios": "^1.3.4",
diff --git a/packages/reqresp/package.json b/packages/reqresp/package.json
index 4e8923e6cf60..641bdb1a060e 100644
--- a/packages/reqresp/package.json
+++ b/packages/reqresp/package.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
   "bugs": {
     "url": "https://github.com/ChainSafe/lodestar/issues"
   },
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "type": "module",
   "exports": {
     ".": {
@@ -56,9 +56,9 @@
   "dependencies": {
     "@chainsafe/fast-crc32c": "^4.1.1",
     "@libp2p/interface": "^0.1.2",
-    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1",
     "it-all": "^3.0.2",
     "it-pipe": "^3.0.1",
     "snappy": "^7.2.2",
@@ -67,8 +67,8 @@
     "uint8arraylist": "^2.4.3"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
-    "@lodestar/logger": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/logger": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.1",
     "libp2p": "0.46.12"
   },
   "peerDependencies": {
diff --git a/packages/spec-test-util/package.json b/packages/spec-test-util/package.json
index 79324d813caa..6bd90a959a3f 100644
--- a/packages/spec-test-util/package.json
+++ b/packages/spec-test-util/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@lodestar/spec-test-util",
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "description": "Spec test suite generator from yaml test files",
   "author": "ChainSafe Systems",
   "license": "Apache-2.0",
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
     "blockchain"
   ],
   "dependencies": {
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1",
     "async-retry": "^1.3.3",
     "axios": "^1.3.4",
     "chai": "^4.3.7",
diff --git a/packages/state-transition/package.json b/packages/state-transition/package.json
index f743861f54ec..4d6a0f9cfffe 100644
--- a/packages/state-transition/package.json
+++ b/packages/state-transition/package.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
   "bugs": {
     "url": "https://github.com/ChainSafe/lodestar/issues"
   },
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "type": "module",
   "exports": {
     ".": {
@@ -63,10 +63,10 @@
     "@chainsafe/persistent-merkle-tree": "^0.6.1",
     "@chainsafe/persistent-ts": "^0.19.1",
     "@chainsafe/ssz": "^0.14.0",
-    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1",
     "bigint-buffer": "^1.1.5",
     "buffer-xor": "^2.0.2"
   },
diff --git a/packages/test-utils/package.json b/packages/test-utils/package.json
index b03a5f7c68d7..de0996d028f6 100644
--- a/packages/test-utils/package.json
+++ b/packages/test-utils/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "@lodestar/test-utils",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "description": "Test utilities reused across other packages",
   "author": "ChainSafe Systems",
   "license": "Apache-2.0",
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
     "blockchain"
   ],
   "dependencies": {
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1",
     "axios": "^1.3.4",
     "chai": "^4.3.7",
     "mocha": "^10.2.0",
diff --git a/packages/types/package.json b/packages/types/package.json
index e5e6d4fd5e25..0bc556078a73 100644
--- a/packages/types/package.json
+++ b/packages/types/package.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
   "bugs": {
     "url": "https://github.com/ChainSafe/lodestar/issues"
   },
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "type": "module",
   "exports": {
     ".": {
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
   "types": "lib/index.d.ts",
   "dependencies": {
     "@chainsafe/ssz": "^0.14.0",
-    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.0"
+    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.1"
   },
   "keywords": [
     "ethereum",
diff --git a/packages/utils/package.json b/packages/utils/package.json
index 457218fa4f4c..b2238b651b83 100644
--- a/packages/utils/package.json
+++ b/packages/utils/package.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
   "bugs": {
     "url": "https://github.com/ChainSafe/lodestar/issues"
   },
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "type": "module",
   "exports": "./lib/index.js",
   "files": [
diff --git a/packages/validator/package.json b/packages/validator/package.json
index 8e659c94bd9e..788a7a797a36 100644
--- a/packages/validator/package.json
+++ b/packages/validator/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@lodestar/validator",
-  "version": "1.12.0",
+  "version": "1.12.1",
   "description": "A Typescript implementation of the validator client",
   "author": "ChainSafe Systems",
   "license": "LGPL-3.0",
@@ -50,13 +50,13 @@
   "dependencies": {
     "@chainsafe/bls": "7.1.1",
     "@chainsafe/ssz": "^0.14.0",
-    "@lodestar/api": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/db": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/state-transition": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.0",
-    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.0",
+    "@lodestar/api": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/config": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/db": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/params": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/state-transition": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/types": "^1.12.1",
+    "@lodestar/utils": "^1.12.1",
     "bigint-buffer": "^1.1.5",
     "strict-event-emitter-types": "^2.0.0"
   },
diff --git a/packages/validator/src/services/block.ts b/packages/validator/src/services/block.ts
index c9eeadb06630..55b7c4cd74ce 100644
--- a/packages/validator/src/services/block.ts
+++ b/packages/validator/src/services/block.ts
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ export class BlockProposingService {
     private readonly clock: IClock,
     private readonly validatorStore: ValidatorStore,
     private readonly metrics: Metrics | null,
-    private readonly opts: {useProduceBlockV3: boolean}
+    private readonly opts: {useProduceBlockV3: boolean; broadcastValidation: routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation}
   ) {
     this.dutiesService = new BlockDutiesService(
       config,
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ export class BlockProposingService {
       this.logger.debug("Produced block", {...debugLogCtx, ...blockContents.debugLogCtx});
       this.metrics?.blocksProduced.inc();
 
-      const signedBlockPromise = this.validatorStore.signBlock(pubkey, blockContents.block, slot);
+      const signedBlockPromise = this.validatorStore.signBlock(pubkey, blockContents.block, slot, this.logger);
       const signedBlobPromises =
         blockContents.blobs !== null
           ? blockContents.blobs.map((blob) => this.validatorStore.signBlob(pubkey, blob, slot))
@@ -158,7 +158,9 @@ export class BlockProposingService {
         signedBlobs = undefined;
       }
 
-      await this.publishBlockWrapper(signedBlock, signedBlobs).catch((e: Error) => {
+      await this.publishBlockWrapper(signedBlock, signedBlobs, {
+        broadcastValidation: this.opts.broadcastValidation,
+      }).catch((e: Error) => {
         this.metrics?.blockProposingErrors.inc({error: "publish"});
         throw extendError(e, "Failed to publish block");
       });
@@ -172,22 +174,29 @@ export class BlockProposingService {
 
   private publishBlockWrapper = async (
     signedBlock: allForks.FullOrBlindedSignedBeaconBlock,
-    signedBlobSidecars?: allForks.FullOrBlindedSignedBlobSidecar[]
+    signedBlobSidecars?: allForks.FullOrBlindedSignedBlobSidecar[],
+    opts: {broadcastValidation?: routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation} = {}
   ): Promise<void> => {
     if (signedBlobSidecars === undefined) {
       ApiError.assert(
         isBlindedBeaconBlock(signedBlock.message)
-          ? await this.api.beacon.publishBlindedBlock(signedBlock as allForks.SignedBlindedBeaconBlock)
-          : await this.api.beacon.publishBlockV2(signedBlock as allForks.SignedBeaconBlock)
+          ? await this.api.beacon.publishBlindedBlockV2(signedBlock as allForks.SignedBlindedBeaconBlock, opts)
+          : await this.api.beacon.publishBlockV2(signedBlock as allForks.SignedBeaconBlock, opts)
       );
     } else {
       ApiError.assert(
         isBlindedBeaconBlock(signedBlock.message)
-          ? await this.api.beacon.publishBlindedBlock({
-              signedBlindedBlock: signedBlock,
-              signedBlindedBlobSidecars: signedBlobSidecars,
-            } as allForks.SignedBlindedBlockContents)
-          : await this.api.beacon.publishBlockV2({signedBlock, signedBlobSidecars} as allForks.SignedBlockContents)
+          ? await this.api.beacon.publishBlindedBlockV2(
+              {
+                signedBlindedBlock: signedBlock,
+                signedBlindedBlobSidecars: signedBlobSidecars,
+              } as allForks.SignedBlindedBlockContents,
+              opts
+            )
+          : await this.api.beacon.publishBlockV2(
+              {signedBlock, signedBlobSidecars} as allForks.SignedBlockContents,
+              opts
+            )
       );
     }
   };
diff --git a/packages/validator/src/services/validatorStore.ts b/packages/validator/src/services/validatorStore.ts
index 42979f7c71e8..e2736a09754a 100644
--- a/packages/validator/src/services/validatorStore.ts
+++ b/packages/validator/src/services/validatorStore.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ import {PubkeyHex} from "../types.js";
 import {externalSignerPostSignature, SignableMessageType, SignableMessage} from "../util/externalSignerClient.js";
 import {Metrics} from "../metrics.js";
 import {isValidatePubkeyHex} from "../util/format.js";
+import {LoggerVc} from "../util/logger.js";
 import {IndicesService} from "./indices.js";
 import {DoppelgangerService} from "./doppelgangerService.js";
 
@@ -126,6 +127,8 @@ export const defaultOptions = {
   builderAliasSelection: routes.validator.BuilderSelection.MaxProfit,
   // turn it off by default, turn it back on once other clients support v3 api
   useProduceBlockV3: false,
+  // spec asks for gossip validation by default
+  broadcastValidation: routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation.gossip,
 };
 
 /**
@@ -351,7 +354,8 @@ export class ValidatorStore {
   async signBlock(
     pubkey: BLSPubkey,
     blindedOrFull: allForks.FullOrBlindedBeaconBlock,
-    currentSlot: Slot
+    currentSlot: Slot,
+    logger?: LoggerVc
   ): Promise<allForks.FullOrBlindedSignedBeaconBlock> {
     // Make sure the block slot is not higher than the current slot to avoid potential attacks.
     if (blindedOrFull.slot > currentSlot) {
@@ -367,8 +371,14 @@ export class ValidatorStore {
     // Don't use `computeSigningRoot()` here to compute the objectRoot in typesafe function blindedOrFullBlockHashTreeRoot()
     const signingRoot = ssz.phase0.SigningData.hashTreeRoot({objectRoot: blockRoot, domain});
 
+    logger?.debug("Signing the block proposal", {
+      slot: signingSlot,
+      blockRoot: toHexString(blockRoot),
+      signingRoot: toHexString(signingRoot),
+    });
+
     try {
-      await this.slashingProtection.checkAndInsertBlockProposal(pubkey, {slot: blindedOrFull.slot, signingRoot});
+      await this.slashingProtection.checkAndInsertBlockProposal(pubkey, {slot: signingSlot, signingRoot});
     } catch (e) {
       this.metrics?.slashingProtectionBlockError.inc();
       throw e;
diff --git a/packages/validator/src/validator.ts b/packages/validator/src/validator.ts
index 4b81aee44de5..307aefc2abbf 100644
--- a/packages/validator/src/validator.ts
+++ b/packages/validator/src/validator.ts
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ export type ValidatorOptions = {
   valProposerConfig?: ValidatorProposerConfig;
   distributed?: boolean;
   useProduceBlockV3?: boolean;
+  broadcastValidation?: routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation;
 };
 
 // TODO: Extend the timeout, and let it be customizable
@@ -208,6 +209,7 @@ export class Validator {
 
     const blockProposingService = new BlockProposingService(config, loggerVc, api, clock, validatorStore, metrics, {
       useProduceBlockV3: opts.useProduceBlockV3 ?? defaultOptions.useProduceBlockV3,
+      broadcastValidation: opts.broadcastValidation ?? defaultOptions.broadcastValidation,
     });
 
     const attestationService = new AttestationService(
@@ -284,13 +286,19 @@ export class Validator {
     await assertEqualGenesis(opts, genesis);
     logger.info("Verified connected beacon node and validator have the same genesisValidatorRoot");
 
-    const {useProduceBlockV3, valProposerConfig} = opts;
+    const {
+      useProduceBlockV3 = defaultOptions.useProduceBlockV3,
+      broadcastValidation = defaultOptions.broadcastValidation,
+      valProposerConfig,
+    } = opts;
     const defaultBuilderSelection =
       valProposerConfig?.defaultConfig.builder?.selection ?? defaultOptions.builderSelection;
     const strictFeeRecipientCheck = valProposerConfig?.defaultConfig.strictFeeRecipientCheck ?? false;
     const suggestedFeeRecipient = valProposerConfig?.defaultConfig.feeRecipient ?? defaultOptions.suggestedFeeRecipient;
+
     logger.info("Initializing validator", {
       useProduceBlockV3,
+      broadcastValidation,
       defaultBuilderSelection,
       suggestedFeeRecipient,
       strictFeeRecipientCheck,
diff --git a/packages/validator/test/unit/services/block.test.ts b/packages/validator/test/unit/services/block.test.ts
index 0a533b140a9c..0c78fdc82eec 100644
--- a/packages/validator/test/unit/services/block.test.ts
+++ b/packages/validator/test/unit/services/block.test.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import {createChainForkConfig} from "@lodestar/config";
 import {config as mainnetConfig} from "@lodestar/config/default";
 import {sleep} from "@lodestar/utils";
 import {ssz} from "@lodestar/types";
-import {HttpStatusCode} from "@lodestar/api";
+import {HttpStatusCode, routes} from "@lodestar/api";
 import {ForkName} from "@lodestar/params";
 import {BlockProposingService} from "../../../src/services/block.js";
 import {ValidatorStore} from "../../../src/services/validatorStore.js";
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ describe("BlockDutiesService", function () {
     // use produceBlockV3
     const blockService = new BlockProposingService(config, loggerVc, api, clock, validatorStore, null, {
       useProduceBlockV3: true,
+      broadcastValidation: routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation.consensus,
     });
 
     const signedBlock = ssz.phase0.SignedBeaconBlock.defaultValue();
@@ -78,6 +79,9 @@ describe("BlockDutiesService", function () {
 
     // Must have submitted the block received on signBlock()
     expect(api.beacon.publishBlockV2.callCount).to.equal(1, "publishBlock() must be called once");
-    expect(api.beacon.publishBlockV2.getCall(0).args).to.deep.equal([signedBlock], "wrong publishBlock() args");
+    expect(api.beacon.publishBlockV2.getCall(0).args).to.deep.equal(
+      [signedBlock, {broadcastValidation: routes.beacon.BroadcastValidation.consensus}],
+      "wrong publishBlock() args"
+    );
   });
 });
diff --git a/yarn.lock b/yarn.lock
index 8c78c64bd89c..0e6a8f3757b6 100644
--- a/yarn.lock
+++ b/yarn.lock
@@ -565,13 +565,13 @@
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/@chainsafe/is-ip/-/is-ip-2.0.2.tgz#7311e7403f11d8c5cfa48111f56fcecaac37c9f6"
   integrity sha512-ndGqEMG1W5WkGagaqOZHpPU172AGdxr+LD15sv3WIUvT5oCFUrG1Y0CW/v2Egwj4JXEvSibaIIIqImsm98y1nA==
 
-"@chainsafe/libp2p-gossipsub@^10.1.0":
-  version "10.1.0"
-  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/@chainsafe/libp2p-gossipsub/-/libp2p-gossipsub-10.1.0.tgz#29c2e3da2bbf1dc68ae171c5ac777bce9ca88c2c"
-  integrity sha512-mOVYJAvxYRkh2HeggNFW/7ukEccQDVEI9LPhvlnJk7gnJhyJJ6mhZxUAaytfp3v3qTkmeBRnEL0eJOQBm+MoOA==
+"@chainsafe/libp2p-gossipsub@^10.1.1":
+  version "10.1.1"
+  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/@chainsafe/libp2p-gossipsub/-/libp2p-gossipsub-10.1.1.tgz#906aa2a67efb5fea0bacc6721ef4e7ee4e353d7e"
+  integrity sha512-nou65zlGaUIPwlUq7ceEVpszJX4tBWRRanppYaKsJk7rbDeIKRJQla2duATGOI3fwj1+pGSlDQuF2zG7P0VJQw==
   dependencies:
     "@libp2p/crypto" "^2.0.0"
-    "@libp2p/interface" "^0.1.0"
+    "@libp2p/interface" "^0.1.4"
     "@libp2p/interface-internal" "^0.1.0"
     "@libp2p/logger" "^3.0.0"
     "@libp2p/peer-id" "^3.0.0"
@@ -1686,6 +1686,20 @@
     p-defer "^4.0.0"
     uint8arraylist "^2.4.3"
 
+"@libp2p/interface@^0.1.4":
+  version "0.1.6"
+  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/@libp2p/interface/-/interface-0.1.6.tgz#1328cf6086f02c499183489ccb143fe9c159e871"
+  integrity sha512-Lzc5cS/hXuoXhuAbVIxJIHLCYmfPcbU0vVgrpMoiP1Qb2Q3ETU4A46GB8s8mWXgSU6tr9RcqerUqzFYD6+OAag==
+  dependencies:
+    "@multiformats/multiaddr" "^12.1.5"
+    abortable-iterator "^5.0.1"
+    it-pushable "^3.2.0"
+    it-stream-types "^2.0.1"
+    multiformats "^12.0.1"
+    p-defer "^4.0.0"
+    race-signal "^1.0.0"
+    uint8arraylist "^2.4.3"
+
 "@libp2p/keychain@^3.0.4":
   version "3.0.4"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/@libp2p/keychain/-/keychain-3.0.4.tgz#94d04a592ea18d83ebed6d6d8457e9aa8cc72e91"
@@ -11704,6 +11718,11 @@ quick-lru@^5.1.1:
   resolved "https://registry.npmjs.org/quick-lru/-/quick-lru-5.1.1.tgz"
   integrity sha512-WuyALRjWPDGtt/wzJiadO5AXY+8hZ80hVpe6MyivgraREW751X3SbhRvG3eLKOYN+8VEvqLcf3wdnt44Z4S4SA==
 
+race-signal@^1.0.0:
+  version "1.0.2"
+  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/race-signal/-/race-signal-1.0.2.tgz#e42379fba0cec4ee8dab7c9bbbd4aa6e0d14c25f"
+  integrity sha512-o3xNv0iTcIDQCXFlF6fPAMEBRjFxssgGoRqLbg06m+AdzEXXLUmoNOoUHTVz2NoBI8hHwKFKoC6IqyNtWr2bww==
+
 rambda@^7.4.0:
   version "7.5.0"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/rambda/-/rambda-7.5.0.tgz#1865044c59bc0b16f63026c6e5a97e4b1bbe98fe"