diff --git a/mutiny-core/src/hermes.rs b/mutiny-core/src/hermes.rs
index 75f08c551..75b1f0492 100644
--- a/mutiny-core/src/hermes.rs
+++ b/mutiny-core/src/hermes.rs
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@ use bitcoin::{bip32::ExtendedPrivKey, secp256k1::Secp256k1};
 use fedimint_core::config::FederationId;
 use futures::{pin_mut, select, FutureExt};
 use lightning::util::logger::Logger;
-use lightning::{log_error, log_info, log_warn};
+use lightning::{log_debug, log_error, log_info, log_warn};
 use lightning_invoice::Bolt11Invoice;
 use nostr::secp256k1::SecretKey;
-use nostr::{nips::nip04::decrypt, Event, JsonUtil, Keys, Tag, ToBech32};
+use nostr::{nips::nip04::decrypt, Event, JsonUtil, Keys, RelayMessage, Tag, ToBech32};
 use nostr::{prelude::decrypt_received_private_zap_message, EventBuilder};
 use nostr::{Filter, Kind, Timestamp};
 use nostr_sdk::{Client, RelayPoolNotification};
@@ -101,7 +101,12 @@ impl<S: MutinyStorage> HermesClient<S> {
         let client = Client::new(&keys);
 
         client
-            .add_relays(RELAYS)
+            .add_relays(
+                // we are listening only, so no need to connect to blastr
+                RELAYS
+                    .into_iter()
+                    .filter(|r| *r != "wss://nostr.mutinywallet.com"),
+            )
             .await
             .expect("Failed to add relays");
 
@@ -266,6 +271,9 @@ impl<S: MutinyStorage> HermesClient<S> {
 
                 client.subscribe(vec![received_dm_filter], None).await;
 
+                let mut has_received_eose = false;
+                let mut batch_notifications: Vec<(EcashNotification, Timestamp)> = Vec::new();
+
                 let mut notifications = client.notifications();
 
                 loop {
@@ -282,8 +290,17 @@ impl<S: MutinyStorage> HermesClient<S> {
                                             Kind::EncryptedDirectMessage => {
                                                 match decrypt_ecash_notification(&dm_key, event.pubkey, &event.content) {
                                                     Ok(notification) => {
-                                                        if let Err(e) = handle_ecash_notification(notification, event.created_at, &federations, &storage, &claim_key, profile_key.as_ref(), &logger).await {
-                                                            log_error!(logger, "Error handling ecash notification: {e}");
+                                                        // if we have received an EOSE, we should immediately handle the notification
+                                                        // otherwise we should wait until we have received an EOSE so we can do the initial batch
+                                                        if has_received_eose {
+                                                            if let Err(e) = handle_ecash_notification(notification, event.created_at, &federations, &storage, &claim_key, profile_key.as_ref(), &logger).await {
+                                                                log_error!(logger, "Error handling ecash notification: {e}");
+                                                            } else if let Err(e) = storage.set_dm_sync_time(event.created_at.as_u64(), true) { // save the last sync time after processing the notification
+                                                                log_error!(logger, "Error saving last sync time: {e}");
+                                                            }
+                                                        } else {
+                                                            log_debug!(logger, "Received ecash notification, adding to batch");
+                                                            batch_notifications.push((notification, event.created_at));
                                                         }
                                                     },
                                                     Err(e) => {
@@ -295,7 +312,30 @@ impl<S: MutinyStorage> HermesClient<S> {
                                         }
                                     }
                                 },
-                                Ok(RelayPoolNotification::Message { .. }) => {}, // ignore messages
+                                Ok(RelayPoolNotification::Message { message, .. }) => {
+                                    // if we receive an EOSE, we have received all the notifications from the relay
+                                    // and can now handle the batch
+                                    if let RelayMessage::EndOfStoredEvents(_) = message {
+                                        has_received_eose = true;
+                                        if !batch_notifications.is_empty() {
+                                            let mut max_created_at: Option<Timestamp> = None;
+                                            for (notification, created_at) in batch_notifications.drain(..) {
+                                                if let Err(e) = handle_ecash_notification(notification, created_at, &federations, &storage, &claim_key, profile_key.as_ref(), &logger).await {
+                                                    log_error!(logger, "Error handling ecash notification: {e}");
+                                                } else if max_created_at.is_none() || max_created_at.is_some_and(|x| x < created_at) {
+                                                    max_created_at = Some(created_at);
+                                                }
+                                            }
+
+                                            // save the last sync time after the batch
+                                            if let Some(max_created_at) = max_created_at {
+                                                if let Err(e) = storage.set_dm_sync_time(max_created_at.as_u64(), true) {
+                                                    log_error!(logger, "Error saving last sync time: {e}");
+                                                }
+                                            }
+                                        }
+                                    }
+                                },
                                 Ok(RelayPoolNotification::Shutdown) => break, // if we disconnect, we restart to reconnect
                                 Ok(RelayPoolNotification::Stop) => {}, // Currently unused
                                 Ok(RelayPoolNotification::RelayStatus { .. }) => {}, // Currently unused
@@ -734,9 +774,6 @@ async fn handle_ecash_notification<S: MutinyStorage>(
         );
     }
 
-    // save the last sync time
-    storage.set_dm_sync_time(created_at.as_u64(), true)?;
-
     Ok(())
 }