diff --git a/test/functional/bip9-softforks.py b/test/functional/bip9-softforks.py
index b90b0ca62842e..f00232c9ffe03 100755
--- a/test/functional/bip9-softforks.py
+++ b/test/functional/bip9-softforks.py
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@
 test that enforcement has not triggered (which triggers ACTIVE)
 test that enforcement has triggered
 """
+from io import BytesIO
+import shutil
+import time
+import itertools
 
 from test_framework.test_framework import ComparisonTestFramework
 from test_framework.util import *
@@ -22,9 +26,6 @@
 from test_framework.blocktools import create_coinbase, create_block
 from test_framework.comptool import TestInstance, TestManager
 from test_framework.script import CScript, OP_1NEGATE, OP_CHECKSEQUENCEVERIFY, OP_DROP
-from io import BytesIO
-import time
-import itertools
 
 class BIP9SoftForksTest(ComparisonTestFramework):
 
diff --git a/test/functional/blockchain.py b/test/functional/blockchain.py
index eeef05efd22a1..a7034e6bcdbab 100755
--- a/test/functional/blockchain.py
+++ b/test/functional/blockchain.py
@@ -21,15 +21,13 @@
 import http.client
 import subprocess
 
-from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
+from test_framework.test_framework import (BitcoinTestFramework, BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT)
 from test_framework.util import (
     assert_equal,
     assert_raises,
     assert_raises_jsonrpc,
     assert_is_hex_string,
     assert_is_hash_string,
-    bitcoind_processes,
-    BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT,
 )
 
 
@@ -141,13 +139,13 @@ def _test_stopatheight(self):
         self.nodes[0].generate(6)
         assert_equal(self.nodes[0].getblockcount(), 206)
         self.log.debug('Node should not stop at this height')
-        assert_raises(subprocess.TimeoutExpired, lambda: bitcoind_processes[0].wait(timeout=3))
+        assert_raises(subprocess.TimeoutExpired, lambda: self.bitcoind_processes[0].wait(timeout=3))
         try:
             self.nodes[0].generate(1)
         except (ConnectionError, http.client.BadStatusLine):
             pass  # The node already shut down before response
         self.log.debug('Node should stop at this height...')
-        bitcoind_processes[0].wait(timeout=BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT)
+        self.bitcoind_processes[0].wait(timeout=BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT)
         self.nodes[0] = self.start_node(0, self.options.tmpdir)
         assert_equal(self.nodes[0].getblockcount(), 207)
 
diff --git a/test/functional/bumpfee.py b/test/functional/bumpfee.py
index 569db7ced5b1d..9237f0924012b 100755
--- a/test/functional/bumpfee.py
+++ b/test/functional/bumpfee.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def setup_network(self, split=False):
 
         # Encrypt wallet for test_locked_wallet_fails test
         self.nodes[1].encryptwallet(WALLET_PASSPHRASE)
-        bitcoind_processes[1].wait()
+        self.bitcoind_processes[1].wait()
         self.nodes[1] = self.start_node(1, self.options.tmpdir, extra_args[1])
         self.nodes[1].walletpassphrase(WALLET_PASSPHRASE, WALLET_PASSPHRASE_TIMEOUT)
 
diff --git a/test/functional/dbcrash.py b/test/functional/dbcrash.py
index 4a10743f04792..6f877f8362fe0 100755
--- a/test/functional/dbcrash.py
+++ b/test/functional/dbcrash.py
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def restart_node(self, node_index, expected_tip):
                 # An exception here should mean the node is about to crash.
                 # If bitcoind exits, then try again.  wait_for_node_exit()
                 # should raise an exception if bitcoind doesn't exit.
-                wait_for_node_exit(node_index, timeout=10)
+                self.wait_for_node_exit(node_index, timeout=10)
             self.crashed_on_restart += 1
             time.sleep(1)
 
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ def sync_node3blocks(self, block_hashes):
                 if not self.submit_block_catch_error(i, block):
                     # TODO: more carefully check that the crash is due to -dbcrashratio
                     # (change the exit code perhaps, and check that here?)
-                    wait_for_node_exit(i, timeout=30)
+                    self.wait_for_node_exit(i, timeout=30)
                     self.log.debug("Restarting node %d after block hash %s", i, block_hash)
                     nodei_utxo_hash = self.restart_node(i, block_hash)
                     assert nodei_utxo_hash is not None
diff --git a/test/functional/fundrawtransaction.py b/test/functional/fundrawtransaction.py
index 0a3166b89bb7a..0baab6d01cf3c 100755
--- a/test/functional/fundrawtransaction.py
+++ b/test/functional/fundrawtransaction.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 # file COPYING or http://www.opensource.org/licenses/mit-license.php.
 """Test the fundrawtransaction RPC."""
 
-from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
+from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework, BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT
 from test_framework.util import *
 
 
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ def run_test(self):
         self.stop_node(2)
         self.stop_node(3)
         self.nodes[1].encryptwallet("test")
-        bitcoind_processes[1].wait(timeout=BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT)
+        self.bitcoind_processes[1].wait(timeout=BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT)
 
         self.nodes = self.start_nodes(self.num_nodes, self.options.tmpdir)
         # This test is not meant to test fee estimation and we'd like
diff --git a/test/functional/keypool.py b/test/functional/keypool.py
index f23a427d1fff7..e8be559918d52 100755
--- a/test/functional/keypool.py
+++ b/test/functional/keypool.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ def run_test(self):
         
         # Encrypt wallet and wait to terminate
         nodes[0].encryptwallet('test')
-        bitcoind_processes[0].wait()
+        self.bitcoind_processes[0].wait()
         # Restart node 0
         nodes[0] = self.start_node(0, self.options.tmpdir)
         # Keep creating keys
diff --git a/test/functional/listtransactions.py b/test/functional/listtransactions.py
index f69f1c5724ef3..f75a8e29cc7a0 100755
--- a/test/functional/listtransactions.py
+++ b/test/functional/listtransactions.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ def __init__(self):
 
     def setup_nodes(self):
         #This test requires mocktime
-        enable_mocktime()
+        self.enable_mocktime()
         self.nodes = self.start_nodes(self.num_nodes, self.options.tmpdir)
 
     def run_test(self):
diff --git a/test/functional/receivedby.py b/test/functional/receivedby.py
index 2cad6269acb7e..19d99c9c9e975 100755
--- a/test/functional/receivedby.py
+++ b/test/functional/receivedby.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def __init__(self):
 
     def setup_nodes(self):
         #This test requires mocktime
-        enable_mocktime()
+        self.enable_mocktime()
         self.nodes = self.start_nodes(self.num_nodes, self.options.tmpdir)
 
     def run_test(self):
diff --git a/test/functional/rpcbind_test.py b/test/functional/rpcbind_test.py
index 198599010e414..951685aa7606a 100755
--- a/test/functional/rpcbind_test.py
+++ b/test/functional/rpcbind_test.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ def run_bind_test(self, allow_ips, connect_to, addresses, expected):
             base_args += ['-rpcallowip=' + x for x in allow_ips]
         binds = ['-rpcbind='+addr for addr in addresses]
         self.nodes = self.start_nodes(self.num_nodes, self.options.tmpdir, [base_args + binds], connect_to)
-        pid = bitcoind_processes[0].pid
+        pid = self.bitcoind_processes[0].pid
         assert_equal(set(get_bind_addrs(pid)), set(expected))
         self.stop_nodes()
 
diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
index ac0fbe61f89c2..8d698a73276a1 100755
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/test_framework.py
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@
 """Base class for RPC testing."""
 
 from collections import deque
+import errno
 from enum import Enum
+import http.client
 import logging
 import optparse
 import os
@@ -14,18 +16,17 @@
 import sys
 import tempfile
 import time
+import traceback
 
+from .authproxy import JSONRPCException
+from . import coverage
 from .util import (
-    PortSeed,
     MAX_NODES,
-    bitcoind_processes,
+    PortSeed,
+    assert_equal,
     check_json_precision,
     connect_nodes_bi,
-    disable_mocktime,
     disconnect_nodes,
-    enable_coverage,
-    enable_mocktime,
-    get_mocktime,
     get_rpc_proxy,
     initialize_datadir,
     get_datadir_path,
@@ -33,15 +34,9 @@
     p2p_port,
     rpc_url,
     set_node_times,
-    _start_node,
-    _start_nodes,
-    _stop_node,
-    _stop_nodes,
     sync_blocks,
     sync_mempools,
-    wait_for_bitcoind_start,
 )
-from .authproxy import JSONRPCException
 
 class TestStatus(Enum):
     PASSED = 1
@@ -52,6 +47,8 @@ class TestStatus(Enum):
 TEST_EXIT_FAILED = 1
 TEST_EXIT_SKIPPED = 77
 
+BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT = 60
+
 class BitcoinTestFramework(object):
     """Base class for a bitcoin test script.
 
@@ -71,13 +68,15 @@ class BitcoinTestFramework(object):
     def __init__(self):
         self.num_nodes = 4
         self.setup_clean_chain = False
-        self.nodes = None
+        self.nodes = []
+        self.bitcoind_processes = {}
+        self.mocktime = 0
 
     def add_options(self, parser):
         pass
 
     def setup_chain(self):
-        self.log.info("Initializing test directory "+self.options.tmpdir)
+        self.log.info("Initializing test directory " + self.options.tmpdir)
         if self.setup_clean_chain:
             self._initialize_chain_clean(self.options.tmpdir, self.num_nodes)
         else:
@@ -97,7 +96,7 @@ def setup_nodes(self):
         extra_args = None
         if hasattr(self, "extra_args"):
             extra_args = self.extra_args
-        self.nodes = _start_nodes(self.num_nodes, self.options.tmpdir, extra_args)
+        self.nodes = self.start_nodes(self.num_nodes, self.options.tmpdir, extra_args)
 
     def run_test(self):
         raise NotImplementedError
@@ -111,9 +110,9 @@ def main(self):
                           help="Leave bitcoinds and test.* datadir on exit or error")
         parser.add_option("--noshutdown", dest="noshutdown", default=False, action="store_true",
                           help="Don't stop bitcoinds after the test execution")
-        parser.add_option("--srcdir", dest="srcdir", default=os.path.normpath(os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))+"/../../../src"),
+        parser.add_option("--srcdir", dest="srcdir", default=os.path.normpath(os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__)) + "/../../../src"),
                           help="Source directory containing bitcoind/bitcoin-cli (default: %default)")
-        parser.add_option("--cachedir", dest="cachedir", default=os.path.normpath(os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))+"/../../cache"),
+        parser.add_option("--cachedir", dest="cachedir", default=os.path.normpath(os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__)) + "/../../cache"),
                           help="Directory for caching pregenerated datadirs")
         parser.add_option("--tmpdir", dest="tmpdir", help="Root directory for datadirs")
         parser.add_option("-l", "--loglevel", dest="loglevel", default="INFO",
@@ -129,12 +128,9 @@ def main(self):
         self.add_options(parser)
         (self.options, self.args) = parser.parse_args()
 
-        if self.options.coveragedir:
-            enable_coverage(self.options.coveragedir)
-
         PortSeed.n = self.options.port_seed
 
-        os.environ['PATH'] = self.options.srcdir+":"+self.options.srcdir+"/qt:"+os.environ['PATH']
+        os.environ['PATH'] = self.options.srcdir + ":" + self.options.srcdir + "/qt:" + os.environ['PATH']
 
         check_json_precision()
 
@@ -188,7 +184,7 @@ def main(self):
                 for fn in filenames:
                     try:
                         with open(fn, 'r') as f:
-                            print("From" , fn, ":")
+                            print("From", fn, ":")
                             print("".join(deque(f, MAX_LINES_TO_PRINT)))
                     except OSError:
                         print("Opening file %s failed." % fn)
@@ -208,16 +204,88 @@ def main(self):
     # Public helper methods. These can be accessed by the subclass test scripts.
 
     def start_node(self, i, dirname, extra_args=None, rpchost=None, timewait=None, binary=None, stderr=None):
-        return _start_node(i, dirname, extra_args, rpchost, timewait, binary, stderr)
+        """Start a bitcoind and return RPC connection to it"""
+
+        datadir = os.path.join(dirname, "node" + str(i))
+        if binary is None:
+            binary = os.getenv("BITCOIND", "bitcoind")
+        args = [binary, "-datadir=" + datadir, "-server", "-keypool=1", "-discover=0", "-rest", "-logtimemicros", "-debug", "-debugexclude=libevent", "-debugexclude=leveldb", "-mocktime=" + str(self.mocktime), "-uacomment=testnode%d" % i]
+        if extra_args is not None:
+            args.extend(extra_args)
+        self.bitcoind_processes[i] = subprocess.Popen(args, stderr=stderr)
+        self.log.debug("initialize_chain: bitcoind started, waiting for RPC to come up")
+        self._wait_for_bitcoind_start(self.bitcoind_processes[i], datadir, i, rpchost)
+        self.log.debug("initialize_chain: RPC successfully started")
+        proxy = get_rpc_proxy(rpc_url(datadir, i, rpchost), i, timeout=timewait)
+
+        if self.options.coveragedir:
+            coverage.write_all_rpc_commands(self.options.coveragedir, proxy)
+
+        return proxy
 
     def start_nodes(self, num_nodes, dirname, extra_args=None, rpchost=None, timewait=None, binary=None):
-        return _start_nodes(num_nodes, dirname, extra_args, rpchost, timewait, binary)
+        """Start multiple bitcoinds, return RPC connections to them"""
+
+        if extra_args is None:
+            extra_args = [None] * num_nodes
+        if binary is None:
+            binary = [None] * num_nodes
+        assert_equal(len(extra_args), num_nodes)
+        assert_equal(len(binary), num_nodes)
+        rpcs = []
+        try:
+            for i in range(num_nodes):
+                rpcs.append(self.start_node(i, dirname, extra_args[i], rpchost, timewait=timewait, binary=binary[i]))
+        except:
+            # If one node failed to start, stop the others
+            # TODO: abusing self.nodes in this way is a little hacky.
+            # Eventually we should do a better job of tracking nodes
+            self.nodes.extend(rpcs)
+            self.stop_nodes()
+            self.nodes = []
+            raise
+        return rpcs
+
+    def stop_node(self, i):
+        """Stop a bitcoind test node"""
 
-    def stop_node(self, num_node):
-        _stop_node(self.nodes[num_node], num_node)
+        self.log.debug("Stopping node %d" % i)
+        try:
+            self.nodes[i].stop()
+        except http.client.CannotSendRequest as e:
+            self.log.exception("Unable to stop node")
+        return_code = self.bitcoind_processes[i].wait(timeout=BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT)
+        del self.bitcoind_processes[i]
+        assert_equal(return_code, 0)
 
     def stop_nodes(self):
-        _stop_nodes(self.nodes)
+        """Stop multiple bitcoind test nodes"""
+
+        for i in range(len(self.nodes)):
+            self.stop_node(i)
+        assert not self.bitcoind_processes.values()  # All connections must be gone now
+
+    def assert_start_raises_init_error(self, i, dirname, extra_args=None, expected_msg=None):
+        with tempfile.SpooledTemporaryFile(max_size=2**16) as log_stderr:
+            try:
+                self.start_node(i, dirname, extra_args, stderr=log_stderr)
+                self.stop_node(i)
+            except Exception as e:
+                assert 'bitcoind exited' in str(e)  # node must have shutdown
+                if expected_msg is not None:
+                    log_stderr.seek(0)
+                    stderr = log_stderr.read().decode('utf-8')
+                    if expected_msg not in stderr:
+                        raise AssertionError("Expected error \"" + expected_msg + "\" not found in:\n" + stderr)
+            else:
+                if expected_msg is None:
+                    assert_msg = "bitcoind should have exited with an error"
+                else:
+                    assert_msg = "bitcoind should have exited with expected error " + expected_msg
+                raise AssertionError(assert_msg)
+
+    def wait_for_node_exit(self, i, timeout):
+        self.bitcoind_processes[i].wait(timeout)
 
     def split_network(self):
         """
@@ -242,6 +310,21 @@ def sync_all(self, node_groups=None):
             sync_blocks(group)
             sync_mempools(group)
 
+    def enable_mocktime(self):
+        """Enable mocktime for the script.
+
+        mocktime may be needed for scripts that use the cached version of the
+        blockchain.  If the cached version of the blockchain is used without
+        mocktime then the mempools will not sync due to IBD.
+
+        For backwared compatibility of the python scripts with previous
+        versions of the cache, this helper function sets mocktime to Jan 1,
+        2014 + (201 * 10 * 60)"""
+        self.mocktime = 1388534400 + (201 * 10 * 60)
+
+    def disable_mocktime(self):
+        self.mocktime = 0
+
     # Private helper methods. These should not be accessed by the subclass test scripts.
 
     def _start_logging(self):
@@ -257,7 +340,7 @@ def _start_logging(self):
         ll = int(self.options.loglevel) if self.options.loglevel.isdigit() else self.options.loglevel.upper()
         ch.setLevel(ll)
         # Format logs the same as bitcoind's debug.log with microprecision (so log files can be concatenated and sorted)
-        formatter = logging.Formatter(fmt = '%(asctime)s.%(msecs)03d000 %(name)s (%(levelname)s): %(message)s', datefmt='%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')
+        formatter = logging.Formatter(fmt='%(asctime)s.%(msecs)03d000 %(name)s (%(levelname)s): %(message)s', datefmt='%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')
         formatter.converter = time.gmtime
         fh.setFormatter(formatter)
         ch.setFormatter(formatter)
@@ -299,9 +382,9 @@ def _initialize_chain(self, test_dir, num_nodes, cachedir):
                 args = [os.getenv("BITCOIND", "bitcoind"), "-server", "-keypool=1", "-datadir=" + datadir, "-discover=0"]
                 if i > 0:
                     args.append("-connect=127.0.0.1:" + str(p2p_port(0)))
-                bitcoind_processes[i] = subprocess.Popen(args)
+                self.bitcoind_processes[i] = subprocess.Popen(args)
                 self.log.debug("initialize_chain: bitcoind started, waiting for RPC to come up")
-                wait_for_bitcoind_start(bitcoind_processes[i], datadir, i)
+                self._wait_for_bitcoind_start(self.bitcoind_processes[i], datadir, i)
                 self.log.debug("initialize_chain: RPC successfully started")
 
             self.nodes = []
@@ -319,8 +402,8 @@ def _initialize_chain(self, test_dir, num_nodes, cachedir):
             #
             # blocks are created with timestamps 10 minutes apart
             # starting from 2010 minutes in the past
-            enable_mocktime()
-            block_time = get_mocktime() - (201 * 10 * 60)
+            self.enable_mocktime()
+            block_time = self.mocktime - (201 * 10 * 60)
             for i in range(2):
                 for peer in range(4):
                     for j in range(25):
@@ -333,7 +416,7 @@ def _initialize_chain(self, test_dir, num_nodes, cachedir):
             # Shut them down, and clean up cache directories:
             self.stop_nodes()
             self.nodes = []
-            disable_mocktime()
+            self.disable_mocktime()
             for i in range(MAX_NODES):
                 os.remove(log_filename(cachedir, i, "debug.log"))
                 os.remove(log_filename(cachedir, i, "db.log"))
@@ -354,18 +437,37 @@ def _initialize_chain_clean(self, test_dir, num_nodes):
         for i in range(num_nodes):
             initialize_datadir(test_dir, i)
 
-# Test framework for doing p2p comparison testing, which sets up some bitcoind
-# binaries:
-# 1 binary: test binary
-# 2 binaries: 1 test binary, 1 ref binary
-# n>2 binaries: 1 test binary, n-1 ref binaries
-
-class SkipTest(Exception):
-    """This exception is raised to skip a test"""
-    def __init__(self, message):
-        self.message = message
+    def _wait_for_bitcoind_start(self, process, datadir, i, rpchost=None):
+        """Wait for bitcoind to start.
+
+        This means that RPC is accessible and fully initialized.
+        Raise an exception if bitcoind exits during initialization."""
+        while True:
+            if process.poll() is not None:
+                raise Exception('bitcoind exited with status %i during initialization' % process.returncode)
+            try:
+                # Check if .cookie file to be created
+                rpc = get_rpc_proxy(rpc_url(datadir, i, rpchost), i, coveragedir=self.options.coveragedir)
+                rpc.getblockcount()
+                break  # break out of loop on success
+            except IOError as e:
+                if e.errno != errno.ECONNREFUSED:  # Port not yet open?
+                    raise  # unknown IO error
+            except JSONRPCException as e:  # Initialization phase
+                if e.error['code'] != -28:  # RPC in warmup?
+                    raise  # unknown JSON RPC exception
+            except ValueError as e:  # cookie file not found and no rpcuser or rpcassword. bitcoind still starting
+                if "No RPC credentials" not in str(e):
+                    raise
+            time.sleep(0.25)
 
 class ComparisonTestFramework(BitcoinTestFramework):
+    """Test framework for doing p2p comparison testing
+
+    Sets up some bitcoind binaries:
+    - 1 binary: test binary
+    - 2 binaries: 1 test binary, 1 ref binary
+    - n>2 binaries: 1 test binary, n-1 ref binaries"""
 
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__()
@@ -387,4 +489,9 @@ def setup_network(self):
         self.nodes = self.start_nodes(
             self.num_nodes, self.options.tmpdir, extra_args,
             binary=[self.options.testbinary] +
-            [self.options.refbinary]*(self.num_nodes-1))
+            [self.options.refbinary] * (self.num_nodes - 1))
+
+class SkipTest(Exception):
+    """This exception is raised to skip a test"""
+    def __init__(self, message):
+        self.message = message
diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/util.py b/test/functional/test_framework/util.py
index 2a4f3104aa0d1..3c918b48fbd87 100644
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/util.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/util.py
@@ -4,30 +4,162 @@
 # file COPYING or http://www.opensource.org/licenses/mit-license.php.
 """Helpful routines for regression testing."""
 
-import os
-import sys
-
-from binascii import hexlify, unhexlify
 from base64 import b64encode
+from binascii import hexlify, unhexlify
 from decimal import Decimal, ROUND_DOWN
 import json
-import http.client
+import logging
+import os
 import random
-import shutil
-import subprocess
-import tempfile
-import time
 import re
-import errno
-import logging
+import time
 
 from . import coverage
 from .authproxy import AuthServiceProxy, JSONRPCException
 
-COVERAGE_DIR = None
-
 logger = logging.getLogger("TestFramework.utils")
 
+# Assert functions
+##################
+
+def assert_fee_amount(fee, tx_size, fee_per_kB):
+    """Assert the fee was in range"""
+    target_fee = tx_size * fee_per_kB / 1000
+    if fee < target_fee:
+        raise AssertionError("Fee of %s BTC too low! (Should be %s BTC)" % (str(fee), str(target_fee)))
+    # allow the wallet's estimation to be at most 2 bytes off
+    if fee > (tx_size + 2) * fee_per_kB / 1000:
+        raise AssertionError("Fee of %s BTC too high! (Should be %s BTC)" % (str(fee), str(target_fee)))
+
+def assert_equal(thing1, thing2, *args):
+    if thing1 != thing2 or any(thing1 != arg for arg in args):
+        raise AssertionError("not(%s)" % " == ".join(str(arg) for arg in (thing1, thing2) + args))
+
+def assert_greater_than(thing1, thing2):
+    if thing1 <= thing2:
+        raise AssertionError("%s <= %s" % (str(thing1), str(thing2)))
+
+def assert_greater_than_or_equal(thing1, thing2):
+    if thing1 < thing2:
+        raise AssertionError("%s < %s" % (str(thing1), str(thing2)))
+
+def assert_raises(exc, fun, *args, **kwds):
+    assert_raises_message(exc, None, fun, *args, **kwds)
+
+def assert_raises_message(exc, message, fun, *args, **kwds):
+    try:
+        fun(*args, **kwds)
+    except exc as e:
+        if message is not None and message not in e.error['message']:
+            raise AssertionError("Expected substring not found:" + e.error['message'])
+    except Exception as e:
+        raise AssertionError("Unexpected exception raised: " + type(e).__name__)
+    else:
+        raise AssertionError("No exception raised")
+
+def assert_raises_jsonrpc(code, message, fun, *args, **kwds):
+    """Run an RPC and verify that a specific JSONRPC exception code and message is raised.
+
+    Calls function `fun` with arguments `args` and `kwds`. Catches a JSONRPCException
+    and verifies that the error code and message are as expected. Throws AssertionError if
+    no JSONRPCException was returned or if the error code/message are not as expected.
+
+    Args:
+        code (int), optional: the error code returned by the RPC call (defined
+            in src/rpc/protocol.h). Set to None if checking the error code is not required.
+        message (string), optional: [a substring of] the error string returned by the
+            RPC call. Set to None if checking the error string is not required
+        fun (function): the function to call. This should be the name of an RPC.
+        args*: positional arguments for the function.
+        kwds**: named arguments for the function.
+    """
+    try:
+        fun(*args, **kwds)
+    except JSONRPCException as e:
+        # JSONRPCException was thrown as expected. Check the code and message values are correct.
+        if (code is not None) and (code != e.error["code"]):
+            raise AssertionError("Unexpected JSONRPC error code %i" % e.error["code"])
+        if (message is not None) and (message not in e.error['message']):
+            raise AssertionError("Expected substring not found:" + e.error['message'])
+    except Exception as e:
+        raise AssertionError("Unexpected exception raised: " + type(e).__name__)
+    else:
+        raise AssertionError("No exception raised")
+
+def assert_is_hex_string(string):
+    try:
+        int(string, 16)
+    except Exception as e:
+        raise AssertionError(
+            "Couldn't interpret %r as hexadecimal; raised: %s" % (string, e))
+
+def assert_is_hash_string(string, length=64):
+    if not isinstance(string, str):
+        raise AssertionError("Expected a string, got type %r" % type(string))
+    elif length and len(string) != length:
+        raise AssertionError(
+            "String of length %d expected; got %d" % (length, len(string)))
+    elif not re.match('[abcdef0-9]+$', string):
+        raise AssertionError(
+            "String %r contains invalid characters for a hash." % string)
+
+def assert_array_result(object_array, to_match, expected, should_not_find=False):
+    """
+        Pass in array of JSON objects, a dictionary with key/value pairs
+        to match against, and another dictionary with expected key/value
+        pairs.
+        If the should_not_find flag is true, to_match should not be found
+        in object_array
+        """
+    if should_not_find:
+        assert_equal(expected, {})
+    num_matched = 0
+    for item in object_array:
+        all_match = True
+        for key, value in to_match.items():
+            if item[key] != value:
+                all_match = False
+        if not all_match:
+            continue
+        elif should_not_find:
+            num_matched = num_matched + 1
+        for key, value in expected.items():
+            if item[key] != value:
+                raise AssertionError("%s : expected %s=%s" % (str(item), str(key), str(value)))
+            num_matched = num_matched + 1
+    if num_matched == 0 and not should_not_find:
+        raise AssertionError("No objects matched %s" % (str(to_match)))
+    if num_matched > 0 and should_not_find:
+        raise AssertionError("Objects were found %s" % (str(to_match)))
+
+# Utility functions
+###################
+
+def check_json_precision():
+    """Make sure json library being used does not lose precision converting BTC values"""
+    n = Decimal("20000000.00000003")
+    satoshis = int(json.loads(json.dumps(float(n))) * 1.0e8)
+    if satoshis != 2000000000000003:
+        raise RuntimeError("JSON encode/decode loses precision")
+
+def count_bytes(hex_string):
+    return len(bytearray.fromhex(hex_string))
+
+def bytes_to_hex_str(byte_str):
+    return hexlify(byte_str).decode('ascii')
+
+def hex_str_to_bytes(hex_str):
+    return unhexlify(hex_str.encode('ascii'))
+
+def str_to_b64str(string):
+    return b64encode(string.encode('utf-8')).decode('ascii')
+
+def satoshi_round(amount):
+    return Decimal(amount).quantize(Decimal('0.00000001'), rounding=ROUND_DOWN)
+
+# RPC/P2P connection constants and functions
+############################################
+
 # The maximum number of nodes a single test can spawn
 MAX_NODES = 8
 # Don't assign rpc or p2p ports lower than this
@@ -35,41 +167,11 @@
 # The number of ports to "reserve" for p2p and rpc, each
 PORT_RANGE = 5000
 
-BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT = 60
-
-
 class PortSeed:
     # Must be initialized with a unique integer for each process
     n = None
 
-#Set Mocktime default to OFF.
-#MOCKTIME is only needed for scripts that use the
-#cached version of the blockchain.  If the cached
-#version of the blockchain is used without MOCKTIME
-#then the mempools will not sync due to IBD.
-MOCKTIME = 0
-
-def enable_mocktime():
-    #For backwared compatibility of the python scripts
-    #with previous versions of the cache, set MOCKTIME 
-    #to Jan 1, 2014 + (201 * 10 * 60)
-    global MOCKTIME
-    MOCKTIME = 1388534400 + (201 * 10 * 60)
-
-def disable_mocktime():
-    global MOCKTIME
-    MOCKTIME = 0
-
-def get_mocktime():
-    return MOCKTIME
-
-def enable_coverage(dirname):
-    """Maintain a log of which RPC calls are made during testing."""
-    global COVERAGE_DIR
-    COVERAGE_DIR = dirname
-
-
-def get_rpc_proxy(url, node_number, timeout=None):
+def get_rpc_proxy(url, node_number, timeout=None, coveragedir=None):
     """
     Args:
         url (str): URL of the RPC server to call
@@ -90,11 +192,10 @@ def get_rpc_proxy(url, node_number, timeout=None):
     proxy.url = url  # store URL on proxy for info
 
     coverage_logfile = coverage.get_filename(
-        COVERAGE_DIR, node_number) if COVERAGE_DIR else None
+        coveragedir, node_number) if coveragedir else None
 
     return coverage.AuthServiceProxyWrapper(proxy, coverage_logfile)
 
-
 def p2p_port(n):
     assert(n <= MAX_NODES)
     return PORT_MIN + n + (MAX_NODES * PortSeed.n) % (PORT_RANGE - 1 - MAX_NODES)
@@ -102,94 +203,34 @@ def p2p_port(n):
 def rpc_port(n):
     return PORT_MIN + PORT_RANGE + n + (MAX_NODES * PortSeed.n) % (PORT_RANGE - 1 - MAX_NODES)
 
-def check_json_precision():
-    """Make sure json library being used does not lose precision converting BTC values"""
-    n = Decimal("20000000.00000003")
-    satoshis = int(json.loads(json.dumps(float(n)))*1.0e8)
-    if satoshis != 2000000000000003:
-        raise RuntimeError("JSON encode/decode loses precision")
-
-def count_bytes(hex_string):
-    return len(bytearray.fromhex(hex_string))
-
-def bytes_to_hex_str(byte_str):
-    return hexlify(byte_str).decode('ascii')
-
-def hex_str_to_bytes(hex_str):
-    return unhexlify(hex_str.encode('ascii'))
-
-def str_to_b64str(string):
-    return b64encode(string.encode('utf-8')).decode('ascii')
-
-def sync_blocks(rpc_connections, *, wait=1, timeout=60):
-    """
-    Wait until everybody has the same tip.
-
-    sync_blocks needs to be called with an rpc_connections set that has least
-    one node already synced to the latest, stable tip, otherwise there's a
-    chance it might return before all nodes are stably synced.
-    """
-    # Use getblockcount() instead of waitforblockheight() to determine the
-    # initial max height because the two RPCs look at different internal global
-    # variables (chainActive vs latestBlock) and the former gets updated
-    # earlier.
-    maxheight = max(x.getblockcount() for x in rpc_connections)
-    start_time = cur_time = time.time()
-    while cur_time <= start_time + timeout:
-        tips = [r.waitforblockheight(maxheight, int(wait * 1000)) for r in rpc_connections]
-        if all(t["height"] == maxheight for t in tips):
-            if all(t["hash"] == tips[0]["hash"] for t in tips):
-                return
-            raise AssertionError("Block sync failed, mismatched block hashes:{}".format(
-                                 "".join("\n  {!r}".format(tip) for tip in tips)))
-        cur_time = time.time()
-    raise AssertionError("Block sync to height {} timed out:{}".format(
-                         maxheight, "".join("\n  {!r}".format(tip) for tip in tips)))
-
-def sync_chain(rpc_connections, *, wait=1, timeout=60):
-    """
-    Wait until everybody has the same best block
-    """
-    while timeout > 0:
-        best_hash = [x.getbestblockhash() for x in rpc_connections]
-        if best_hash == [best_hash[0]]*len(best_hash):
-            return
-        time.sleep(wait)
-        timeout -= wait
-    raise AssertionError("Chain sync failed: Best block hashes don't match")
-
-def sync_mempools(rpc_connections, *, wait=1, timeout=60):
-    """
-    Wait until everybody has the same transactions in their memory
-    pools
-    """
-    while timeout > 0:
-        pool = set(rpc_connections[0].getrawmempool())
-        num_match = 1
-        for i in range(1, len(rpc_connections)):
-            if set(rpc_connections[i].getrawmempool()) == pool:
-                num_match = num_match+1
-        if num_match == len(rpc_connections):
-            return
-        time.sleep(wait)
-        timeout -= wait
-    raise AssertionError("Mempool sync failed")
+def rpc_url(datadir, i, rpchost=None):
+    rpc_u, rpc_p = get_auth_cookie(datadir, i)
+    host = '127.0.0.1'
+    port = rpc_port(i)
+    if rpchost:
+        parts = rpchost.split(':')
+        if len(parts) == 2:
+            host, port = parts
+        else:
+            host = rpchost
+    return "http://%s:%s@%s:%d" % (rpc_u, rpc_p, host, int(port))
 
-bitcoind_processes = {}
+# Node functions
+################
 
 def initialize_datadir(dirname, n):
-    datadir = os.path.join(dirname, "node"+str(n))
+    datadir = os.path.join(dirname, "node" + str(n))
     if not os.path.isdir(datadir):
         os.makedirs(datadir)
     with open(os.path.join(datadir, "bitcoin.conf"), 'w', encoding='utf8') as f:
         f.write("regtest=1\n")
-        f.write("port="+str(p2p_port(n))+"\n")
-        f.write("rpcport="+str(rpc_port(n))+"\n")
+        f.write("port=" + str(p2p_port(n)) + "\n")
+        f.write("rpcport=" + str(rpc_port(n)) + "\n")
         f.write("listenonion=0\n")
     return datadir
 
 def get_datadir_path(dirname, n):
-    return os.path.join(dirname, "node"+str(n))
+    return os.path.join(dirname, "node" + str(n))
 
 def get_auth_cookie(datadir, n):
     user = None
@@ -198,10 +239,10 @@ def get_auth_cookie(datadir, n):
         with open(os.path.join(datadir, "bitcoin.conf"), 'r') as f:
             for line in f:
                 if line.startswith("rpcuser="):
-                    assert user is None # Ensure that there is only one rpcuser line
+                    assert user is None  # Ensure that there is only one rpcuser line
                     user = line.split("=")[1].strip("\n")
                 if line.startswith("rpcpassword="):
-                    assert password is None # Ensure that there is only one rpcpassword line
+                    assert password is None  # Ensure that there is only one rpcpassword line
                     password = line.split("=")[1].strip("\n")
     if os.path.isfile(os.path.join(datadir, "regtest", ".cookie")):
         with open(os.path.join(datadir, "regtest", ".cookie"), 'r') as f:
@@ -213,128 +254,12 @@ def get_auth_cookie(datadir, n):
         raise ValueError("No RPC credentials")
     return user, password
 
-def rpc_url(datadir, i, rpchost=None):
-    rpc_u, rpc_p = get_auth_cookie(datadir, i)
-    host = '127.0.0.1'
-    port = rpc_port(i)
-    if rpchost:
-        parts = rpchost.split(':')
-        if len(parts) == 2:
-            host, port = parts
-        else:
-            host = rpchost
-    return "http://%s:%s@%s:%d" % (rpc_u, rpc_p, host, int(port))
-
-def wait_for_bitcoind_start(process, datadir, i, rpchost=None):
-    '''
-    Wait for bitcoind to start. This means that RPC is accessible and fully initialized.
-    Raise an exception if bitcoind exits during initialization.
-    '''
-    while True:
-        if process.poll() is not None:
-            raise Exception('bitcoind exited with status %i during initialization' % process.returncode)
-        try:
-            # Check if .cookie file to be created
-            rpc = get_rpc_proxy(rpc_url(datadir, i, rpchost), i)
-            blocks = rpc.getblockcount()
-            break # break out of loop on success
-        except IOError as e:
-            if e.errno != errno.ECONNREFUSED: # Port not yet open?
-                raise # unknown IO error
-        except JSONRPCException as e: # Initialization phase
-            if e.error['code'] != -28: # RPC in warmup?
-                raise # unknown JSON RPC exception
-        except ValueError as e: # cookie file not found and no rpcuser or rpcassword. bitcoind still starting
-            if "No RPC credentials" not in str(e):
-                raise
-        time.sleep(0.25)
-
-def wait_for_node_exit(node_index, timeout):
-    bitcoind_processes[node_index].wait(timeout)
-
-def _start_node(i, dirname, extra_args=None, rpchost=None, timewait=None, binary=None, stderr=None):
-    """Start a bitcoind and return RPC connection to it
-
-    This function should only be called from within test_framework, not by individual test scripts."""
-
-    datadir = os.path.join(dirname, "node"+str(i))
-    if binary is None:
-        binary = os.getenv("BITCOIND", "bitcoind")
-    args = [binary, "-datadir=" + datadir, "-server", "-keypool=1", "-discover=0", "-rest", "-logtimemicros", "-debug", "-debugexclude=libevent", "-debugexclude=leveldb", "-mocktime=" + str(get_mocktime()), "-uacomment=testnode%d" % i]
-    if extra_args is not None: args.extend(extra_args)
-    bitcoind_processes[i] = subprocess.Popen(args, stderr=stderr)
-    logger.debug("initialize_chain: bitcoind started, waiting for RPC to come up")
-    wait_for_bitcoind_start(bitcoind_processes[i], datadir, i, rpchost)
-    logger.debug("initialize_chain: RPC successfully started")
-    proxy = get_rpc_proxy(rpc_url(datadir, i, rpchost), i, timeout=timewait)
-
-    if COVERAGE_DIR:
-        coverage.write_all_rpc_commands(COVERAGE_DIR, proxy)
-
-    return proxy
-
-def assert_start_raises_init_error(i, dirname, extra_args=None, expected_msg=None):
-    with tempfile.SpooledTemporaryFile(max_size=2**16) as log_stderr:
-        try:
-            node = _start_node(i, dirname, extra_args, stderr=log_stderr)
-            _stop_node(node, i)
-        except Exception as e:
-            assert 'bitcoind exited' in str(e) #node must have shutdown
-            if expected_msg is not None:
-                log_stderr.seek(0)
-                stderr = log_stderr.read().decode('utf-8')
-                if expected_msg not in stderr:
-                    raise AssertionError("Expected error \"" + expected_msg + "\" not found in:\n" + stderr)
-        else:
-            if expected_msg is None:
-                assert_msg = "bitcoind should have exited with an error"
-            else:
-                assert_msg = "bitcoind should have exited with expected error " + expected_msg
-            raise AssertionError(assert_msg)
-
-def _start_nodes(num_nodes, dirname, extra_args=None, rpchost=None, timewait=None, binary=None):
-    """Start multiple bitcoinds, return RPC connections to them
-    
-    This function should only be called from within test_framework, not by individual test scripts."""
-
-    if extra_args is None: extra_args = [ None for _ in range(num_nodes) ]
-    if binary is None: binary = [ None for _ in range(num_nodes) ]
-    assert_equal(len(extra_args), num_nodes)
-    assert_equal(len(binary), num_nodes)
-    rpcs = []
-    try:
-        for i in range(num_nodes):
-            rpcs.append(_start_node(i, dirname, extra_args[i], rpchost, timewait=timewait, binary=binary[i]))
-    except: # If one node failed to start, stop the others
-        _stop_nodes(rpcs)
-        raise
-    return rpcs
-
 def log_filename(dirname, n_node, logname):
-    return os.path.join(dirname, "node"+str(n_node), "regtest", logname)
-
-def _stop_node(node, i):
-    """Stop a bitcoind test node
-
-    This function should only be called from within test_framework, not by individual test scripts."""
-
-    logger.debug("Stopping node %d" % i)
-    try:
-        node.stop()
-    except http.client.CannotSendRequest as e:
-        logger.exception("Unable to stop node")
-    return_code = bitcoind_processes[i].wait(timeout=BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT)
-    del bitcoind_processes[i]
-    assert_equal(return_code, 0)
-
-def _stop_nodes(nodes):
-    """Stop multiple bitcoind test nodes
-
-    This function should only be called from within test_framework, not by individual test scripts."""
+    return os.path.join(dirname, "node" + str(n_node), "regtest", logname)
 
-    for i, node in enumerate(nodes):
-        _stop_node(node, i)
-    assert not bitcoind_processes.values() # All connections must be gone now
+def get_bip9_status(node, key):
+    info = node.getblockchaininfo()
+    return info['bip9_softforks'][key]
 
 def set_node_times(nodes, t):
     for node in nodes:
@@ -352,7 +277,7 @@ def disconnect_nodes(from_connection, node_num):
         raise AssertionError("timed out waiting for disconnect")
 
 def connect_nodes(from_connection, node_num):
-    ip_port = "127.0.0.1:"+str(p2p_port(node_num))
+    ip_port = "127.0.0.1:" + str(p2p_port(node_num))
     from_connection.addnode(ip_port, "onetry")
     # poll until version handshake complete to avoid race conditions
     # with transaction relaying
@@ -363,6 +288,63 @@ def connect_nodes_bi(nodes, a, b):
     connect_nodes(nodes[a], b)
     connect_nodes(nodes[b], a)
 
+def sync_blocks(rpc_connections, *, wait=1, timeout=60):
+    """
+    Wait until everybody has the same tip.
+
+    sync_blocks needs to be called with an rpc_connections set that has least
+    one node already synced to the latest, stable tip, otherwise there's a
+    chance it might return before all nodes are stably synced.
+    """
+    # Use getblockcount() instead of waitforblockheight() to determine the
+    # initial max height because the two RPCs look at different internal global
+    # variables (chainActive vs latestBlock) and the former gets updated
+    # earlier.
+    maxheight = max(x.getblockcount() for x in rpc_connections)
+    start_time = cur_time = time.time()
+    while cur_time <= start_time + timeout:
+        tips = [r.waitforblockheight(maxheight, int(wait * 1000)) for r in rpc_connections]
+        if all(t["height"] == maxheight for t in tips):
+            if all(t["hash"] == tips[0]["hash"] for t in tips):
+                return
+            raise AssertionError("Block sync failed, mismatched block hashes:{}".format(
+                                 "".join("\n  {!r}".format(tip) for tip in tips)))
+        cur_time = time.time()
+    raise AssertionError("Block sync to height {} timed out:{}".format(
+                         maxheight, "".join("\n  {!r}".format(tip) for tip in tips)))
+
+def sync_chain(rpc_connections, *, wait=1, timeout=60):
+    """
+    Wait until everybody has the same best block
+    """
+    while timeout > 0:
+        best_hash = [x.getbestblockhash() for x in rpc_connections]
+        if best_hash == [best_hash[0]] * len(best_hash):
+            return
+        time.sleep(wait)
+        timeout -= wait
+    raise AssertionError("Chain sync failed: Best block hashes don't match")
+
+def sync_mempools(rpc_connections, *, wait=1, timeout=60):
+    """
+    Wait until everybody has the same transactions in their memory
+    pools
+    """
+    while timeout > 0:
+        pool = set(rpc_connections[0].getrawmempool())
+        num_match = 1
+        for i in range(1, len(rpc_connections)):
+            if set(rpc_connections[i].getrawmempool()) == pool:
+                num_match = num_match + 1
+        if num_match == len(rpc_connections):
+            return
+        time.sleep(wait)
+        timeout -= wait
+    raise AssertionError("Mempool sync failed")
+
+# Transaction/Block functions
+#############################
+
 def find_output(node, txid, amount):
     """
     Return index to output of txid with value amount
@@ -372,14 +354,13 @@ def find_output(node, txid, amount):
     for i in range(len(txdata["vout"])):
         if txdata["vout"][i]["value"] == amount:
             return i
-    raise RuntimeError("find_output txid %s : %s not found"%(txid,str(amount)))
-
+    raise RuntimeError("find_output txid %s : %s not found" % (txid, str(amount)))
 
 def gather_inputs(from_node, amount_needed, confirmations_required=1):
     """
     Return a random set of unspent txouts that are enough to pay amount_needed
     """
-    assert(confirmations_required >=0)
+    assert(confirmations_required >= 0)
     utxo = from_node.listunspent(confirmations_required)
     random.shuffle(utxo)
     inputs = []
@@ -387,9 +368,9 @@ def gather_inputs(from_node, amount_needed, confirmations_required=1):
     while total_in < amount_needed and len(utxo) > 0:
         t = utxo.pop()
         total_in += t["amount"]
-        inputs.append({ "txid" : t["txid"], "vout" : t["vout"], "address" : t["address"] } )
+        inputs.append({"txid": t["txid"], "vout": t["vout"], "address": t["address"]})
     if total_in < amount_needed:
-        raise RuntimeError("Insufficient funds: need %d, have %d"%(amount_needed, total_in))
+        raise RuntimeError("Insufficient funds: need %d, have %d" % (amount_needed, total_in))
     return (total_in, inputs)
 
 def make_change(from_node, amount_in, amount_out, fee):
@@ -397,13 +378,13 @@ def make_change(from_node, amount_in, amount_out, fee):
     Create change output(s), return them
     """
     outputs = {}
-    amount = amount_out+fee
+    amount = amount_out + fee
     change = amount_in - amount
-    if change > amount*2:
+    if change > amount * 2:
         # Create an extra change output to break up big inputs
         change_address = from_node.getnewaddress()
         # Split change in two, being careful of rounding:
-        outputs[change_address] = Decimal(change/2).quantize(Decimal('0.00000001'), rounding=ROUND_DOWN)
+        outputs[change_address] = Decimal(change / 2).quantize(Decimal('0.00000001'), rounding=ROUND_DOWN)
         change = amount_in - amount - outputs[change_address]
     if change > 0:
         outputs[from_node.getnewaddress()] = change
@@ -416,9 +397,9 @@ def random_transaction(nodes, amount, min_fee, fee_increment, fee_variants):
     """
     from_node = random.choice(nodes)
     to_node = random.choice(nodes)
-    fee = min_fee + fee_increment*random.randint(0,fee_variants)
+    fee = min_fee + fee_increment * random.randint(0, fee_variants)
 
-    (total_in, inputs) = gather_inputs(from_node, amount+fee)
+    (total_in, inputs) = gather_inputs(from_node, amount + fee)
     outputs = make_change(from_node, total_in, amount, fee)
     outputs[to_node.getnewaddress()] = float(amount)
 
@@ -428,123 +409,10 @@ def random_transaction(nodes, amount, min_fee, fee_increment, fee_variants):
 
     return (txid, signresult["hex"], fee)
 
-def assert_fee_amount(fee, tx_size, fee_per_kB):
-    """Assert the fee was in range"""
-    target_fee = tx_size * fee_per_kB / 1000
-    if fee < target_fee:
-        raise AssertionError("Fee of %s BTC too low! (Should be %s BTC)"%(str(fee), str(target_fee)))
-    # allow the wallet's estimation to be at most 2 bytes off
-    if fee > (tx_size + 2) * fee_per_kB / 1000:
-        raise AssertionError("Fee of %s BTC too high! (Should be %s BTC)"%(str(fee), str(target_fee)))
-
-def assert_equal(thing1, thing2, *args):
-    if thing1 != thing2 or any(thing1 != arg for arg in args):
-        raise AssertionError("not(%s)" % " == ".join(str(arg) for arg in (thing1, thing2) + args))
-
-def assert_greater_than(thing1, thing2):
-    if thing1 <= thing2:
-        raise AssertionError("%s <= %s"%(str(thing1),str(thing2)))
-
-def assert_greater_than_or_equal(thing1, thing2):
-    if thing1 < thing2:
-        raise AssertionError("%s < %s"%(str(thing1),str(thing2)))
-
-def assert_raises(exc, fun, *args, **kwds):
-    assert_raises_message(exc, None, fun, *args, **kwds)
-
-def assert_raises_message(exc, message, fun, *args, **kwds):
-    try:
-        fun(*args, **kwds)
-    except exc as e:
-        if message is not None and message not in e.error['message']:
-            raise AssertionError("Expected substring not found:"+e.error['message'])
-    except Exception as e:
-        raise AssertionError("Unexpected exception raised: "+type(e).__name__)
-    else:
-        raise AssertionError("No exception raised")
-
-def assert_raises_jsonrpc(code, message, fun, *args, **kwds):
-    """Run an RPC and verify that a specific JSONRPC exception code and message is raised.
-
-    Calls function `fun` with arguments `args` and `kwds`. Catches a JSONRPCException
-    and verifies that the error code and message are as expected. Throws AssertionError if
-    no JSONRPCException was returned or if the error code/message are not as expected.
-
-    Args:
-        code (int), optional: the error code returned by the RPC call (defined
-            in src/rpc/protocol.h). Set to None if checking the error code is not required.
-        message (string), optional: [a substring of] the error string returned by the
-            RPC call. Set to None if checking the error string is not required
-        fun (function): the function to call. This should be the name of an RPC.
-        args*: positional arguments for the function.
-        kwds**: named arguments for the function.
-    """
-    try:
-        fun(*args, **kwds)
-    except JSONRPCException as e:
-        # JSONRPCException was thrown as expected. Check the code and message values are correct.
-        if (code is not None) and (code != e.error["code"]):
-            raise AssertionError("Unexpected JSONRPC error code %i" % e.error["code"])
-        if (message is not None) and (message not in e.error['message']):
-            raise AssertionError("Expected substring not found:"+e.error['message'])
-    except Exception as e:
-        raise AssertionError("Unexpected exception raised: "+type(e).__name__)
-    else:
-        raise AssertionError("No exception raised")
-
-def assert_is_hex_string(string):
-    try:
-        int(string, 16)
-    except Exception as e:
-        raise AssertionError(
-            "Couldn't interpret %r as hexadecimal; raised: %s" % (string, e))
-
-def assert_is_hash_string(string, length=64):
-    if not isinstance(string, str):
-        raise AssertionError("Expected a string, got type %r" % type(string))
-    elif length and len(string) != length:
-        raise AssertionError(
-            "String of length %d expected; got %d" % (length, len(string)))
-    elif not re.match('[abcdef0-9]+$', string):
-        raise AssertionError(
-            "String %r contains invalid characters for a hash." % string)
-
-def assert_array_result(object_array, to_match, expected, should_not_find = False):
-    """
-        Pass in array of JSON objects, a dictionary with key/value pairs
-        to match against, and another dictionary with expected key/value
-        pairs.
-        If the should_not_find flag is true, to_match should not be found
-        in object_array
-        """
-    if should_not_find == True:
-        assert_equal(expected, { })
-    num_matched = 0
-    for item in object_array:
-        all_match = True
-        for key,value in to_match.items():
-            if item[key] != value:
-                all_match = False
-        if not all_match:
-            continue
-        elif should_not_find == True:
-            num_matched = num_matched+1
-        for key,value in expected.items():
-            if item[key] != value:
-                raise AssertionError("%s : expected %s=%s"%(str(item), str(key), str(value)))
-            num_matched = num_matched+1
-    if num_matched == 0 and should_not_find != True:
-        raise AssertionError("No objects matched %s"%(str(to_match)))
-    if num_matched > 0 and should_not_find == True:
-        raise AssertionError("Objects were found %s"%(str(to_match)))
-
-def satoshi_round(amount):
-    return Decimal(amount).quantize(Decimal('0.00000001'), rounding=ROUND_DOWN)
-
 # Helper to create at least "count" utxos
 # Pass in a fee that is sufficient for relay and mining new transactions.
 def create_confirmed_utxos(fee, node, count):
-    node.generate(int(0.5*count)+101)
+    node.generate(int(0.5 * count) + 101)
     utxos = node.listunspent()
     iterations = count - len(utxos)
     addr1 = node.getnewaddress()
@@ -554,14 +422,14 @@ def create_confirmed_utxos(fee, node, count):
     for i in range(iterations):
         t = utxos.pop()
         inputs = []
-        inputs.append({ "txid" : t["txid"], "vout" : t["vout"]})
+        inputs.append({"txid": t["txid"], "vout": t["vout"]})
         outputs = {}
         send_value = t['amount'] - fee
-        outputs[addr1] = satoshi_round(send_value/2)
-        outputs[addr2] = satoshi_round(send_value/2)
+        outputs[addr1] = satoshi_round(send_value / 2)
+        outputs[addr2] = satoshi_round(send_value / 2)
         raw_tx = node.createrawtransaction(inputs, outputs)
         signed_tx = node.signrawtransaction(raw_tx)["hex"]
-        txid = node.sendrawtransaction(signed_tx)
+        node.sendrawtransaction(signed_tx)
 
     while (node.getmempoolinfo()['size'] > 0):
         node.generate(1)
@@ -576,8 +444,8 @@ def gen_return_txouts():
     # Some pre-processing to create a bunch of OP_RETURN txouts to insert into transactions we create
     # So we have big transactions (and therefore can't fit very many into each block)
     # create one script_pubkey
-    script_pubkey = "6a4d0200" #OP_RETURN OP_PUSH2 512 bytes
-    for i in range (512):
+    script_pubkey = "6a4d0200"  # OP_RETURN OP_PUSH2 512 bytes
+    for i in range(512):
         script_pubkey = script_pubkey + "01"
     # concatenate 128 txouts of above script_pubkey which we'll insert before the txout for change
     txouts = "81"
@@ -591,8 +459,8 @@ def gen_return_txouts():
     return txouts
 
 def create_tx(node, coinbase, to_address, amount):
-    inputs = [{ "txid" : coinbase, "vout" : 0}]
-    outputs = { to_address : amount }
+    inputs = [{"txid": coinbase, "vout": 0}]
+    outputs = {to_address: amount}
     rawtx = node.createrawtransaction(inputs, outputs)
     signresult = node.signrawtransaction(rawtx)
     assert_equal(signresult["complete"], True)
@@ -605,7 +473,7 @@ def create_lots_of_big_transactions(node, txouts, utxos, num, fee):
     txids = []
     for _ in range(num):
         t = utxos.pop()
-        inputs=[{ "txid" : t["txid"], "vout" : t["vout"]}]
+        inputs = [{"txid": t["txid"], "vout": t["vout"]}]
         outputs = {}
         change = t['amount'] - fee
         outputs[addr] = satoshi_round(change)
@@ -630,7 +498,3 @@ def mine_large_block(node, utxos=None):
     fee = 100 * node.getnetworkinfo()["relayfee"]
     create_lots_of_big_transactions(node, txouts, utxos, num, fee=fee)
     node.generate(1)
-
-def get_bip9_status(node, key):
-    info = node.getblockchaininfo()
-    return info['bip9_softforks'][key]
diff --git a/test/functional/wallet-dump.py b/test/functional/wallet-dump.py
index 9cb32d465023a..569cc46e6cf92 100755
--- a/test/functional/wallet-dump.py
+++ b/test/functional/wallet-dump.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 import os
 
 from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
-from test_framework.util import (assert_equal, bitcoind_processes)
+from test_framework.util import assert_equal
 
 
 def read_dump(file_name, addrs, hd_master_addr_old):
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ def run_test (self):
 
         #encrypt wallet, restart, unlock and dump
         self.nodes[0].encryptwallet('test')
-        bitcoind_processes[0].wait()
+        self.bitcoind_processes[0].wait()
         self.nodes[0] = self.start_node(0, self.options.tmpdir, self.extra_args[0])
         self.nodes[0].walletpassphrase('test', 10)
         # Should be a no-op:
diff --git a/test/functional/wallet-encryption.py b/test/functional/wallet-encryption.py
index 33872e3c94650..ba72918fe1564 100755
--- a/test/functional/wallet-encryption.py
+++ b/test/functional/wallet-encryption.py
@@ -6,12 +6,10 @@
 
 import time
 
-from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
+from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework, BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT
 from test_framework.util import (
     assert_equal,
     assert_raises_jsonrpc,
-    bitcoind_processes,
-    BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT,
 )
 
 class WalletEncryptionTest(BitcoinTestFramework):
@@ -33,7 +31,7 @@ def run_test(self):
 
         # Encrypt the wallet
         self.nodes[0].encryptwallet(passphrase)
-        bitcoind_processes[0].wait(timeout=BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT)
+        self.bitcoind_processes[0].wait(timeout=BITCOIND_PROC_WAIT_TIMEOUT)
         self.nodes[0] = self.start_node(0, self.options.tmpdir)
 
         # Test that the wallet is encrypted
diff --git a/test/functional/wallet-hd.py b/test/functional/wallet-hd.py
index e7ec72a2484e5..dfd3dc83c523a 100755
--- a/test/functional/wallet-hd.py
+++ b/test/functional/wallet-hd.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 from test_framework.util import (
     assert_equal,
     connect_nodes_bi,
-    assert_start_raises_init_error
 )
 import os
 import shutil
@@ -27,7 +26,7 @@ def run_test (self):
 
         # Make sure can't switch off usehd after wallet creation
         self.stop_node(1)
-        assert_start_raises_init_error(1, self.options.tmpdir, ['-usehd=0'], 'already existing HD wallet')
+        self.assert_start_raises_init_error(1, self.options.tmpdir, ['-usehd=0'], 'already existing HD wallet')
         self.nodes[1] = self.start_node(1, self.options.tmpdir, self.extra_args[1])
         connect_nodes_bi(self.nodes, 0, 1)
 
diff --git a/test/functional/walletbackup.py b/test/functional/walletbackup.py
index a4507182a24df..ff51cba4b3f64 100755
--- a/test/functional/walletbackup.py
+++ b/test/functional/walletbackup.py
@@ -30,10 +30,11 @@
 Shutdown again, restore using importwallet,
 and confirm again balances are correct.
 """
+from random import randint
+import shutil
 
 from test_framework.test_framework import BitcoinTestFramework
 from test_framework.util import *
-from random import randint
 
 class WalletBackupTest(BitcoinTestFramework):