diff --git a/itest/addrs_test.go b/itest/addrs_test.go
index b04f556aa..657cafc64 100644
--- a/itest/addrs_test.go
+++ b/itest/addrs_test.go
@@ -40,10 +40,6 @@ func testAddresses(t *harnessTest) {
 	// assets made above.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -79,12 +75,6 @@ func testAddresses(t *harnessTest) {
 		// Eventually the event should be marked as confirmed.
 		AssertAddrEvent(t.t, secondTapd, addr, 1, statusConfirmed)
 
-		// To complete the transfer, we'll export the proof from the
-		// sender and import it into the receiver for each asset set.
-		sendProof(
-			t, t.tapd, secondTapd, addr.ScriptKey, a.AssetGenesis,
-		)
-
 		// Make sure we have imported and finalized all proofs.
 		AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, secondTapd, idx+1)
 
@@ -175,10 +165,6 @@ func testMultiAddress(t *harnessTest) {
 	alice := t.tapd
 	bob := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = alice
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, bob.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -195,7 +181,12 @@ func testMultiAddress(t *harnessTest) {
 func testAddressAssetSyncer(t *harnessTest) {
 	// We'll kick off the test by making a new node, without hooking it up
 	// to any existing Universe server.
-	bob := setupTapdHarness(t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, nil)
+	bob := setupTapdHarness(
+		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
+		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
+			params.noDefaultUniverseSync = true
+		},
+	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, bob.stop(!*noDelete))
 	}()
@@ -321,8 +312,9 @@ func testAddressAssetSyncer(t *harnessTest) {
 	restartBobNoUniSync := func(disableSyncer bool) {
 		require.NoError(t.t, bob.stop(!*noDelete))
 		bob = setupTapdHarness(
-			t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, nil,
+			t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
 			func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
+				params.noDefaultUniverseSync = true
 				params.addrAssetSyncerDisable = disableSyncer
 			},
 		)
@@ -436,13 +428,11 @@ func runMultiSendTest(ctxt context.Context, t *harnessTest, alice,
 
 	// In order to force a split, we don't try to send the full asset.
 	const sendAmt = 100
-	var bobAddresses []*taprpc.Addr
 	bobAddr1, err := bob.NewAddr(ctxt, &taprpc.NewAddrRequest{
 		AssetId: genInfo.AssetId,
 		Amt:     sendAmt,
 	})
 	require.NoError(t.t, err)
-	bobAddresses = append(bobAddresses, bobAddr1)
 	AssertAddrCreated(t.t, bob, mintedAsset, bobAddr1)
 
 	bobAddr2, err := bob.NewAddr(ctxt, &taprpc.NewAddrRequest{
@@ -450,7 +440,6 @@ func runMultiSendTest(ctxt context.Context, t *harnessTest, alice,
 		Amt:     sendAmt,
 	})
 	require.NoError(t.t, err)
-	bobAddresses = append(bobAddresses, bobAddr2)
 	AssertAddrCreated(t.t, bob, mintedAsset, bobAddr2)
 
 	// To test that Alice can also receive to multiple addresses in a single
@@ -492,14 +481,6 @@ func runMultiSendTest(ctxt context.Context, t *harnessTest, alice,
 	// this point, so the status should go to completed directly.
 	AssertAddrEventByStatus(t.t, alice, statusCompleted, numRuns*2)
 
-	// To complete the transfer, we'll export the proof from the sender and
-	// import it into the receiver for each asset set. This should not be
-	// necessary for the sends to Alice, as she is both the sender and
-	// receiver and should detect the local proof once it's written to disk.
-	for i := range bobAddresses {
-		sendProof(t, alice, bob, bobAddresses[i].ScriptKey, genInfo)
-	}
-
 	// Make sure we have imported and finalized all proofs.
 	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, bob, numRuns*2)
 	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, alice, numRuns*2)
diff --git a/itest/aperture_harness.go b/itest/aperture_harness.go
index 95500363a..e95061e97 100644
--- a/itest/aperture_harness.go
+++ b/itest/aperture_harness.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ type ApertureHarness struct {
 
 // NewApertureHarness creates a new instance of the aperture service. It returns
 // a harness which includes useful values for testing.
-func NewApertureHarness(t *testing.T, port int) ApertureHarness {
+func NewApertureHarness(t *testing.T, port int) *ApertureHarness {
 	// Create a temporary directory for the aperture service to use.
 	baseDir := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "aperture")
 	err := os.MkdirAll(baseDir, os.ModePerm)
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func NewApertureHarness(t *testing.T, port int) ApertureHarness {
 	}
 	service := aperture.NewAperture(cfg)
 
-	return ApertureHarness{
+	return &ApertureHarness{
 		ListenAddr: listenAddr,
 		Service:    service,
 	}
diff --git a/itest/assertions.go b/itest/assertions.go
index 359ac508e..048a397ec 100644
--- a/itest/assertions.go
+++ b/itest/assertions.go
@@ -870,7 +870,7 @@ func AssertBalanceByID(t *testing.T, client taprpc.TaprootAssetsClient,
 	}
 
 	require.True(t, ok)
-	require.Equal(t, uint64(amt), uint64(balance.Balance))
+	require.Equal(t, amt, balance.Balance)
 }
 
 // AssertBalanceByGroup asserts that the balance of a single asset group
diff --git a/itest/collectible_split_test.go b/itest/collectible_split_test.go
index f8fd17035..2f987e8e7 100644
--- a/itest/collectible_split_test.go
+++ b/itest/collectible_split_test.go
@@ -53,10 +53,6 @@ func testCollectibleSend(t *harnessTest) {
 	// serve as the node which'll receive the assets.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
diff --git a/itest/full_value_split_test.go b/itest/full_value_split_test.go
index 75854b0ca..84afb2430 100644
--- a/itest/full_value_split_test.go
+++ b/itest/full_value_split_test.go
@@ -33,10 +33,6 @@ func testFullValueSend(t *harnessTest) {
 	// serve as the node which'll receive the assets.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -88,8 +84,8 @@ func runFullValueSendTests(ctxt context.Context, t *harnessTest, alice,
 				[]uint64{0, fullAmount}, senderTransferIdx,
 				senderTransferIdx+1,
 			)
-			_ = sendProof(
-				t, alice, bob, receiverAddr.ScriptKey, genInfo,
+			AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(
+				t.t, bob, senderTransferIdx+1,
 			)
 			senderTransferIdx++
 		} else {
@@ -108,8 +104,8 @@ func runFullValueSendTests(ctxt context.Context, t *harnessTest, alice,
 				genInfo.AssetId, []uint64{0, fullAmount},
 				receiverTransferIdx, receiverTransferIdx+1,
 			)
-			_ = sendProof(
-				t, bob, alice, receiverAddr.ScriptKey, genInfo,
+			AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(
+				t.t, alice, receiverTransferIdx+1,
 			)
 			receiverTransferIdx++
 		}
diff --git a/itest/integration_test.go b/itest/integration_test.go
index 41dcf7f81..3f2557c21 100644
--- a/itest/integration_test.go
+++ b/itest/integration_test.go
@@ -59,11 +59,10 @@ func TestTaprootAssetsDaemon(t *testing.T) {
 			// The universe server and tapd client are both freshly
 			// created and later discarded for each test run to
 			// assure no state is taken over between runs.
-			tapdHarness, universeServer, proofCourier :=
-				setupHarnesses(
-					t1, ht, lndHarness,
-					testCase.proofCourierType,
-				)
+			tapdHarness, uniHarness, proofCourier := setupHarnesses(
+				t1, ht, lndHarness,
+				testCase.proofCourierType,
+			)
 			lndHarness.EnsureConnected(
 				lndHarness.Alice, lndHarness.Bob,
 			)
@@ -72,8 +71,8 @@ func TestTaprootAssetsDaemon(t *testing.T) {
 			lndHarness.Bob.AddToLogf(logLine)
 
 			ht := ht.newHarnessTest(
-				t1, lndHarness, universeServer,
-				tapdHarness, proofCourier,
+				t1, lndHarness, uniHarness, tapdHarness,
+				proofCourier,
 			)
 
 			// Now we have everything to run the test case.
diff --git a/itest/mint_batch_stress_test.go b/itest/mint_batch_stress_test.go
index b4103ebc1..124ae44ea 100644
--- a/itest/mint_batch_stress_test.go
+++ b/itest/mint_batch_stress_test.go
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func testMintBatchNStressTest(t *harnessTest, batchSize int,
 	// If we create a second tapd instance and sync the universe state,
 	// the synced tree should match the source tree.
 	bob := setupTapdHarness(
-		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, nil,
+		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, bob.stop(!*noDelete))
diff --git a/itest/multi_asset_group_test.go b/itest/multi_asset_group_test.go
index 9b4add64d..3dae13188 100644
--- a/itest/multi_asset_group_test.go
+++ b/itest/multi_asset_group_test.go
@@ -97,10 +97,6 @@ func testMintMultiAssetGroups(t *harnessTest) {
 	// ensure that they can be sent and received correctly.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = 4
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -129,10 +125,6 @@ func testMintMultiAssetGroups(t *harnessTest) {
 		normalMember.AssetGenesis.AssetId,
 		[]uint64{0, normalMember.Amount}, 0, 1,
 	)
-	_ = sendProof(
-		t, t.tapd, secondTapd, bobNormalAddr.ScriptKey,
-		normalMemberGenInfo,
-	)
 	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, secondTapd, 1)
 
 	AssertBalanceByGroup(
@@ -170,10 +162,6 @@ func testMintMultiAssetGroups(t *harnessTest) {
 		collectMember.AssetGenesis.AssetId,
 		[]uint64{0, collectMember.Amount}, 1, 2,
 	)
-	sendProof(
-		t, t.tapd, secondTapd, bobCollectAddr.ScriptKey,
-		collectMemberGenInfo,
-	)
 	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, secondTapd, 2)
 
 	AssertBalanceByGroup(
@@ -333,10 +321,6 @@ func testMultiAssetGroupSend(t *harnessTest) {
 	// assets made above.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = groupCount
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
diff --git a/itest/psbt_test.go b/itest/psbt_test.go
index d587f2097..245ac0566 100644
--- a/itest/psbt_test.go
+++ b/itest/psbt_test.go
@@ -44,10 +44,6 @@ func testPsbtScriptHashLockSend(t *harnessTest) {
 	// serve as the node which'll receive the assets.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -132,6 +128,10 @@ func testPsbtScriptHashLockSend(t *harnessTest) {
 		t.t, t.lndHarness.Miner.Client, bob, sendResp,
 		genInfo.AssetId, []uint64{numUnits / 2, numUnits / 2}, 0, 1,
 	)
+
+	// This is an interactive/PSBT based transfer, so we do need to manually
+	// send the proof from the sender to the receiver because the proof
+	// courier address gets lost in the address->PSBT conversion.
 	_ = sendProof(t, bob, alice, aliceAddr.ScriptKey, genInfo)
 	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, alice, 1)
 
@@ -166,10 +166,6 @@ func testPsbtScriptCheckSigSend(t *harnessTest) {
 	// serve as the node which'll receive the assets.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -258,6 +254,10 @@ func testPsbtScriptCheckSigSend(t *harnessTest) {
 		t.t, t.lndHarness.Miner.Client, bob, sendResp,
 		genInfo.AssetId, []uint64{numUnits / 2, numUnits / 2}, 0, 1,
 	)
+
+	// This is an interactive/PSBT based transfer, so we do need to manually
+	// send the proof from the sender to the receiver because the proof
+	// courier address gets lost in the address->PSBT conversion.
 	_ = sendProof(t, bob, alice, aliceAddr.ScriptKey, genInfo)
 	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, alice, 1)
 
@@ -307,10 +307,6 @@ func testPsbtNormalInteractiveFullValueSend(t *harnessTest) {
 	// serve as the node which'll receive the assets.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -358,10 +354,6 @@ func testPsbtGroupedInteractiveFullValueSend(t *harnessTest) {
 	// serve as the node which'll receive the assets.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -438,6 +430,9 @@ func runPsbtInteractiveFullValueSendTest(ctxt context.Context, t *harnessTest,
 			sendResp, genInfo.AssetId, amounts, i/2, (i/2)+1,
 			numOutputs,
 		)
+
+		// This is an interactive transfer, so we do need to manually
+		// send the proof from the sender to the receiver.
 		_ = sendProof(
 			t, sender, receiver,
 			receiverScriptKey.PubKey.SerializeCompressed(), genInfo,
@@ -515,10 +510,6 @@ func testPsbtNormalInteractiveSplitSend(t *harnessTest) {
 	// serve as the node which'll receive the assets.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -566,10 +557,6 @@ func testPsbtGroupedInteractiveSplitSend(t *harnessTest) {
 	// serve as the node which'll receive the assets.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -656,6 +643,9 @@ func runPsbtInteractiveSplitSendTest(ctxt context.Context, t *harnessTest,
 			[]uint64{sendAmt, changeAmt}, i/2, (i/2)+1,
 			numOutputs,
 		)
+
+		// This is an interactive transfer, so we do need to manually
+		// send the proof from the sender to the receiver.
 		_ = sendProof(
 			t, sender, receiver,
 			receiverScriptKey.PubKey.SerializeCompressed(), genInfo,
@@ -721,10 +711,6 @@ func testPsbtInteractiveTapscriptSibling(t *harnessTest) {
 	// serve as the node which'll receive the assets.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(p *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			p.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			p.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -779,6 +765,9 @@ func testPsbtInteractiveTapscriptSibling(t *harnessTest) {
 		t.t, t.lndHarness.Miner.Client, alice, sendResp,
 		genInfo.AssetId, []uint64{sendAmt, changeAmt}, 0, 1, 2,
 	)
+
+	// This is an interactive transfer, so we do need to manually send the
+	// proof from the sender to the receiver.
 	_ = sendProof(
 		t, alice, bob,
 		receiverScriptKey.PubKey.SerializeCompressed(), genInfo,
@@ -846,10 +835,6 @@ func testPsbtMultiSend(t *harnessTest) {
 	// serve as the node which'll receive the assets.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -927,6 +912,9 @@ func testPsbtMultiSend(t *harnessTest) {
 		t.t, t.lndHarness.Miner.Client, sender, sendResp,
 		genInfo.AssetId, outputAmounts, 0, 1, numOutputs,
 	)
+
+	// This is an interactive transfer, so we do need to manually send the
+	// proof from the sender to the receiver.
 	_ = sendProof(
 		t, sender, receiver,
 		receiverScriptKey1.PubKey.SerializeCompressed(), genInfo,
@@ -1034,7 +1022,6 @@ func sendToTapscriptAddr(ctx context.Context, t *harnessTest, alice,
 		t.t, t.lndHarness.Miner.Client, alice, sendResp,
 		genInfo.AssetId, []uint64{changeUnits, numUnits}, 0, 1,
 	)
-	_ = sendProof(t, alice, bob, bobAddr.ScriptKey, genInfo)
 	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, bob, 1)
 }
 
@@ -1059,7 +1046,6 @@ func sendAssetAndAssert(ctx context.Context, t *harnessTest, alice,
 		genInfo.AssetId, []uint64{change, numUnits}, outTransferIdx,
 		numOutTransfers,
 	)
-	_ = sendProof(t, alice, bob, bobAddr.ScriptKey, genInfo)
 
 	// There are now two receive events (since only non-interactive sends
 	// appear in that RPC output).
diff --git a/itest/re-issuance_test.go b/itest/re-issuance_test.go
index b92d27b85..a043fb1df 100644
--- a/itest/re-issuance_test.go
+++ b/itest/re-issuance_test.go
@@ -51,13 +51,8 @@ func testReIssuance(t *harnessTest) {
 
 	// Create a second node, which will have no information about previously
 	// minted assets or asset groups.
-	numTotalAssets := len(normalGroupGen) + len(collectGroupGen)
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = numTotalAssets
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -78,10 +73,7 @@ func testReIssuance(t *harnessTest) {
 		t.t, t.lndHarness.Miner.Client, t.tapd, firstCollectSend,
 		collectGenInfo.AssetId, []uint64{0, 1}, 0, 1,
 	)
-	sendProof(
-		t, t.tapd, secondTapd, collectGroupAddr.ScriptKey,
-		collectGenInfo,
-	)
+	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, secondTapd, 1)
 
 	// Check the state of both nodes. The first node should show one
 	// zero-value transfer representing the send of the collectible.
@@ -107,10 +99,7 @@ func testReIssuance(t *harnessTest) {
 		normalGenInfo.AssetId,
 		[]uint64{normalGroupMintHalf, normalGroupMintHalf}, 1, 2,
 	)
-	sendProof(
-		t, t.tapd, secondTapd, normalGroupAddr.ScriptKey,
-		normalGenInfo,
-	)
+	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, secondTapd, 2)
 
 	// Reissue one more collectible and half the original mint amount for
 	// the normal asset.
@@ -186,10 +175,7 @@ func testReIssuance(t *harnessTest) {
 		t.t, t.lndHarness.Miner.Client, t.tapd, secondCollectSend,
 		collectReissueInfo.AssetId, []uint64{0, 1}, 2, 3,
 	)
-	sendProof(
-		t, t.tapd, secondTapd, collectReissueAddr.ScriptKey,
-		collectReissueInfo,
-	)
+	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, secondTapd, 3)
 
 	// The second node should show two groups, with two assets in
 	// the collectible group and a total balance of 2 for that group.
@@ -220,10 +206,7 @@ func testReIssuance(t *harnessTest) {
 		t.t, secondTapd.ht.lndHarness.Miner.Client, secondTapd,
 		thirdCollectSend, collectGenInfo.AssetId, []uint64{0, 1}, 0, 1,
 	)
-	sendProof(
-		t, secondTapd, t.tapd, collectReissueAddr.ScriptKey,
-		collectReissueInfo,
-	)
+	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, t.tapd, 1)
 
 	// The collectible balance on the minting node should be 1, and there
 	// should still be only two groups.
@@ -353,10 +336,6 @@ func testMintWithGroupKeyErrors(t *harnessTest) {
 	// minted assets or asset groups.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(collectGroupGen)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -382,12 +361,8 @@ func testMintWithGroupKeyErrors(t *harnessTest) {
 		t.t, t.lndHarness.Miner.Client, t.tapd, collectSend,
 		collectGenInfo.AssetId, []uint64{0, 1}, 0, 1,
 	)
-	sendProof(
-		t, t.tapd, secondTapd, collectGroupAddr.ScriptKey,
-		collectGenInfo,
-	)
 
-	// A reissuance with the second node should still fail because the
+	// A re-issuance with the second node should still fail because the
 	// group key was not created by that node.
 	_, err = secondTapd.MintAsset(ctxb, reissueRequest)
 	require.ErrorContains(t.t, err, "can't sign with group key")
diff --git a/itest/re-org_test.go b/itest/re-org_test.go
index b77762f5a..21e29a79e 100644
--- a/itest/re-org_test.go
+++ b/itest/re-org_test.go
@@ -53,10 +53,6 @@ func testReOrgMint(t *harnessTest) {
 	// node will be used to synchronize universe state.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(assetList)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -139,10 +135,6 @@ func testReOrgSend(t *harnessTest) {
 	// node will be used to synchronize universe state.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(assetList)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -170,9 +162,6 @@ func testReOrgSend(t *harnessTest) {
 		sendAssetGen.AssetId,
 		[]uint64{sendAsset.Amount - sendAmount, sendAmount}, 0, 1,
 	)
-	_ = sendProof(
-		t, t.tapd, secondTapd, bobAddr.ScriptKey, sendAssetGen,
-	)
 	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, secondTapd, 1)
 	initialBlockHash := initialBlock.BlockHash()
 
@@ -265,10 +254,6 @@ func testReOrgMintAndSend(t *harnessTest) {
 	// node will be used to synchronize universe state.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(assetList)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -291,9 +276,6 @@ func testReOrgMintAndSend(t *harnessTest) {
 		sendAssetGen.AssetId,
 		[]uint64{sendAsset.Amount - sendAmount, sendAmount}, 0, 1,
 	)
-	_ = sendProof(
-		t, t.tapd, secondTapd, bobAddr.ScriptKey, sendAssetGen,
-	)
 	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, secondTapd, 1)
 	initialBlockHash := initialBlock.BlockHash()
 
diff --git a/itest/round_trip_send_test.go b/itest/round_trip_send_test.go
index 784ca1571..d312eed21 100644
--- a/itest/round_trip_send_test.go
+++ b/itest/round_trip_send_test.go
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"encoding/hex"
-	"time"
 
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/btcec/v2"
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/btcutil"
@@ -42,10 +41,6 @@ func testRoundTripSend(t *harnessTest) {
 	// serve as the node which'll receive the assets.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -81,7 +76,7 @@ func testRoundTripSend(t *harnessTest) {
 		t.t, t.lndHarness.Miner.Client, t.tapd, sendResp,
 		genInfo.AssetId, []uint64{bobAmt, bobAmt}, 0, 1,
 	)
-	_ = sendProof(t, t.tapd, secondTapd, bobAddr.ScriptKey, genInfo)
+	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, secondTapd, 1)
 
 	// Now, Alice will request half of the assets she sent to Bob.
 	aliceAddr, err := t.tapd.NewAddr(ctxb, &taprpc.NewAddrRequest{
@@ -101,10 +96,7 @@ func testRoundTripSend(t *harnessTest) {
 		t.t, t.lndHarness.Miner.Client, secondTapd,
 		sendResp, genInfo.AssetId, []uint64{aliceAmt, aliceAmt}, 0, 1,
 	)
-	_ = sendProof(t, secondTapd, t.tapd, aliceAddr.ScriptKey, genInfo)
-
-	// Give both nodes some time to process the final transfer.
-	time.Sleep(time.Second * 1)
+	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, t.tapd, 1)
 
 	// Check the final state of both nodes. Each node should list
 	// one transfer, and Alice should have 3/4 of the total units.
diff --git a/itest/send_test.go b/itest/send_test.go
index 2a44335e1..c7ab48f26 100644
--- a/itest/send_test.go
+++ b/itest/send_test.go
@@ -88,10 +88,6 @@ func testBasicSendUnidirectional(t *harnessTest) {
 	// node will be used to synchronize universe state.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -215,8 +211,6 @@ func testRestartReceiverCheckBalance(t *harnessTest) {
 	recvTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
 		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
 			params.custodianProofRetrievalDelay = &custodianProofRetrievalDelay
 		},
 	)
@@ -458,10 +452,6 @@ func testBasicSendPassiveAsset(t *harnessTest) {
 	// Set up a new node that will serve as the receiving node.
 	recvTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, recvTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -1212,10 +1202,6 @@ func testMultiInputSendNonInteractiveSingleID(t *harnessTest) {
 	// node. Sync the new node with the primary node.
 	bobTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, bobTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -1240,7 +1226,6 @@ func testMultiInputSendNonInteractiveSingleID(t *harnessTest) {
 		genInfo.AssetId, []uint64{4000, 1000}, 0, 1,
 	)
 
-	_ = sendProof(t, t.tapd, bobTapd, addr.ScriptKey, genInfo)
 	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, bobTapd, 1)
 
 	// Second of two send events from minting node to the secondary node.
@@ -1261,7 +1246,6 @@ func testMultiInputSendNonInteractiveSingleID(t *harnessTest) {
 		genInfo.AssetId, []uint64{0, 4000}, 1, 2,
 	)
 
-	_ = sendProof(t, t.tapd, bobTapd, addr.ScriptKey, genInfo)
 	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, bobTapd, 2)
 
 	t.Logf("Two separate send events complete, now attempting to send " +
@@ -1285,7 +1269,6 @@ func testMultiInputSendNonInteractiveSingleID(t *harnessTest) {
 		genInfo.AssetId, []uint64{0, 5000}, 0, 1,
 	)
 
-	_ = sendProof(t, bobTapd, t.tapd, addr.ScriptKey, genInfo)
 	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, t.tapd, 1)
 }
 
@@ -1308,10 +1291,6 @@ func testSendMultipleCoins(t *harnessTest) {
 	// node will be used to synchronize universe state.
 	secondTapd := setupTapdHarness(
 		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
-		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
-			params.startupSyncNode = t.tapd
-			params.startupSyncNumAssets = len(rpcAssets)
-		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, secondTapd.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -1388,9 +1367,6 @@ func testSendMultipleCoins(t *harnessTest) {
 	// Now we confirm the 5 transfers and make sure they complete as
 	// expected.
 	_ = MineBlocks(t.t, t.lndHarness.Miner.Client, 1, 5)
-	for _, addr := range bobAddrs {
-		_ = sendProof(t, t.tapd, secondTapd, addr.ScriptKey, genInfo)
-	}
 	AssertNonInteractiveRecvComplete(t.t, secondTapd, 5)
 }
 
diff --git a/itest/server_harness.go b/itest/server_harness.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 6fee73485..000000000
--- a/itest/server_harness.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,108 +0,0 @@
-package itest
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-	"net"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"sync"
-	"time"
-
-	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/cert"
-	"google.golang.org/grpc"
-	"google.golang.org/grpc/credentials"
-)
-
-const (
-	// DefaultAutogenValidity is the default validity of a self-signed
-	// certificate. The value corresponds to 14 months
-	// (14 months * 30 days * 24 hours).
-	DefaultAutogenValidity = 14 * 30 * 24 * time.Hour
-)
-
-type universeServerMock struct {
-	// TODO: Embed Unimplemented*Server of universe RPCs here to mock them.
-}
-
-type serverHarness struct {
-	serverHost string
-	mockServer *grpc.Server
-
-	certFile string
-	server   *universeServerMock
-
-	errChan chan error
-
-	wg sync.WaitGroup
-}
-
-func newServerHarness(serverHost string) *serverHarness {
-	return &serverHarness{
-		serverHost: serverHost,
-		errChan:    make(chan error, 1),
-	}
-}
-
-func (s *serverHarness) stop() {
-	s.mockServer.Stop()
-	s.wg.Wait()
-}
-
-func (s *serverHarness) start() error {
-	tempDirName, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "tapitest")
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	s.certFile = filepath.Join(tempDirName, "proxy.cert")
-	keyFile := filepath.Join(tempDirName, "proxy.key")
-	creds, err := genCertPair(s.certFile, keyFile)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	httpListener, err := net.Listen("tcp", s.serverHost)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	s.mockServer = grpc.NewServer(grpc.Creds(creds))
-	s.server = &universeServerMock{}
-
-	// TODO(guggero): Register universe RPC servers here.
-
-	s.wg.Add(1)
-	go func() {
-		defer s.wg.Done()
-		s.errChan <- s.mockServer.Serve(httpListener)
-	}()
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-// genCertPair generates a pair of private key and certificate and returns them
-// in different formats needed to spin up test servers and clients.
-func genCertPair(certFile, keyFile string) (credentials.TransportCredentials,
-	error) {
-
-	certBytes, keyBytes, err := cert.GenCertPair(
-		"itest autogenerated cert", nil, nil, false,
-		DefaultAutogenValidity,
-	)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to generate cert pair: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	// Now that we have the certificate and key, we'll store them
-	// to the file system.
-	err = cert.WriteCertPair(certFile, keyFile, certBytes, keyBytes)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error writing cert pair: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	creds, err := credentials.NewServerTLSFromFile(certFile, keyFile)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to load cert file: %v", err)
-	}
-	return creds, nil
-}
diff --git a/itest/tapd_harness.go b/itest/tapd_harness.go
index c73bb1fe4..fe81f4ef2 100644
--- a/itest/tapd_harness.go
+++ b/itest/tapd_harness.go
@@ -46,6 +46,20 @@ var (
 		tapdb.DefaultPostgresFixtureLifetime, "The amount of time to "+
 			"allow the postgres fixture to run in total. Needs "+
 			"to be increased for long-running tests.")
+
+	// defaultBackoffConfig is the default backoff config we'll use for
+	// sending proofs.
+	defaultBackoffConfig = proof.BackoffCfg{
+		BackoffResetWait: time.Second,
+		NumTries:         5,
+		InitialBackoff:   300 * time.Millisecond,
+		MaxBackoff:       600 * time.Millisecond,
+	}
+
+	// defaultProofRetrievalDelay is the default delay we'll use for the
+	// custodian to wait from observing a transaction on-chan to retrieving
+	// the proof from the courier.
+	defaultProofRetrievalDelay = 200 * time.Millisecond
 )
 
 const (
@@ -182,14 +196,9 @@ func newTapdHarness(t *testing.T, ht *harnessTest, cfg tapdConfig,
 	// Populate proof courier specific config fields.
 	//
 	// Use passed in backoff config or default config.
-	backoffCfg := &proof.BackoffCfg{
-		BackoffResetWait: 2 * time.Second,
-		NumTries:         3,
-		InitialBackoff:   2 * time.Second,
-		MaxBackoff:       2 * time.Second,
-	}
+	backoffCfg := defaultBackoffConfig
 	if opts.proofSendBackoffCfg != nil {
-		backoffCfg = opts.proofSendBackoffCfg
+		backoffCfg = *opts.proofSendBackoffCfg
 	}
 
 	// Used passed in proof receiver ack timeout or default.
@@ -203,7 +212,7 @@ func newTapdHarness(t *testing.T, ht *harnessTest, cfg tapdConfig,
 	// config from the hashmail courier config.
 	finalCfg.HashMailCourier = &proof.HashMailCourierCfg{
 		ReceiverAckTimeout: receiverAckTimeout,
-		BackoffCfg:         backoffCfg,
+		BackoffCfg:         &backoffCfg,
 	}
 
 	switch typedProofCourier := (opts.proofCourier).(type) {
@@ -213,7 +222,7 @@ func newTapdHarness(t *testing.T, ht *harnessTest, cfg tapdConfig,
 			typedProofCourier.ListenAddr,
 		)
 
-	case *UniverseRPCHarness:
+	case *universeServerHarness:
 		finalCfg.DefaultProofCourierAddr = fmt.Sprintf(
 			"%s://%s", proof.UniverseRpcCourierType,
 			typedProofCourier.ListenAddr,
@@ -224,7 +233,11 @@ func newTapdHarness(t *testing.T, ht *harnessTest, cfg tapdConfig,
 		finalCfg.HashMailCourier = nil
 	}
 
+	ht.t.Logf("Using proof courier address: %v",
+		finalCfg.DefaultProofCourierAddr)
+
 	// Set the custodian proof retrieval delay if it was specified.
+	finalCfg.CustodianProofRetrievalDelay = defaultProofRetrievalDelay
 	if opts.custodianProofRetrievalDelay != nil {
 		finalCfg.CustodianProofRetrievalDelay = *opts.custodianProofRetrievalDelay
 	}
diff --git a/itest/test_harness.go b/itest/test_harness.go
index feed49d23..1550f3a7b 100644
--- a/itest/test_harness.go
+++ b/itest/test_harness.go
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ type harnessTest struct {
 	// nil if not yet set up.
 	lndHarness *lntest.HarnessTest
 
-	universeServer *serverHarness
+	universeServer *universeServerHarness
 
 	tapd *tapdHarness
 
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ type harnessTest struct {
 // newHarnessTest creates a new instance of a harnessTest from a regular
 // testing.T instance.
 func (h *harnessTest) newHarnessTest(t *testing.T, net *lntest.HarnessTest,
-	universeServer *serverHarness, tapd *tapdHarness,
+	universeServer *universeServerHarness, tapd *tapdHarness,
 	proofCourier proof.CourierHarness) *harnessTest {
 
 	return &harnessTest{
@@ -174,7 +174,11 @@ func (h *harnessTest) LogfTimestamped(format string, args ...interface{}) {
 
 // shutdown stops both the mock universe and tapd server.
 func (h *harnessTest) shutdown(_ *testing.T) error {
-	h.universeServer.stop()
+	err := h.universeServer.Stop()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("unable to stop universe server harness: "+
+			"%w", err)
+	}
 
 	if h.proofCourier != nil {
 		err := h.proofCourier.Stop()
@@ -184,7 +188,7 @@ func (h *harnessTest) shutdown(_ *testing.T) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	err := h.tapd.stop(!*noDelete)
+	err = h.tapd.stop(!*noDelete)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("unable to stop tapd: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -236,6 +240,25 @@ func (h *harnessTest) syncUniverseState(target, syncer *tapdHarness,
 	require.Equal(h.t, numExpectedAssets, numAssets)
 }
 
+// addFederationServer adds a new federation server to the given tapd harness.
+func (h *harnessTest) addFederationServer(host string, target *tapdHarness) {
+	ctxt, cancel := context.WithTimeout(
+		context.Background(), defaultWaitTimeout,
+	)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	_, err := target.AddFederationServer(
+		ctxt, &unirpc.AddFederationServerRequest{
+			Servers: []*unirpc.UniverseFederationServer{
+				{
+					Host: host,
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	)
+	require.NoError(h.t, err)
+}
+
 // nextAvailablePort returns the first port that is available for listening by
 // a new node. It panics if no port is found and the maximum available TCP port
 // is reached.
@@ -269,37 +292,34 @@ func nextAvailablePort() int {
 func setupHarnesses(t *testing.T, ht *harnessTest,
 	lndHarness *lntest.HarnessTest,
 	proofCourierType proof.CourierType) (*tapdHarness,
-	*serverHarness, proof.CourierHarness) {
+	*universeServerHarness, proof.CourierHarness) {
+
+	universeServer := newUniverseServerHarness(t, ht, lndHarness.Bob)
+
+	t.Logf("Starting universe server harness, listening on %v",
+		universeServer.ListenAddr)
+
+	err := universeServer.Start(nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "universe server harness")
 
 	// If a proof courier type is specified, start test specific proof
 	// courier service and attach to test harness.
 	var proofCourier proof.CourierHarness
 	switch proofCourierType {
-	case proof.DisabledCourier:
-		// Proof courier disabled, do nothing.
-
 	case proof.HashmailCourierType:
 		port := nextAvailablePort()
-		apHarness := NewApertureHarness(ht.t, port)
-		proofCourier = &apHarness
+		apertureHarness := NewApertureHarness(ht.t, port)
+		err := apertureHarness.Start(nil)
+		require.NoError(t, err, "aperture proof courier harness")
 
-	case proof.UniverseRpcCourierType:
-		proofCourier = NewUniverseRPCHarness(t, ht, lndHarness.Bob)
-	}
+		proofCourier = apertureHarness
 
-	// Start the proof courier harness if specified.
-	if proofCourier != nil {
-		err := proofCourier.Start(nil)
-		require.NoError(t, err, "unable to start proof courier harness")
+	// If nothing is specified, we use the universe RPC proof courier by
+	// default.
+	default:
+		proofCourier = universeServer
 	}
 
-	mockServerAddr := fmt.Sprintf(
-		node.ListenerFormat, node.NextAvailablePort(),
-	)
-	universeServer := newServerHarness(mockServerAddr)
-	err := universeServer.start()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
 	// Create a tapd that uses Bob and connect it to the universe server.
 	tapdHarness := setupTapdHarness(
 		t, ht, lndHarness.Alice, universeServer,
@@ -345,6 +365,10 @@ type tapdHarnessParams struct {
 	// startupSyncNumAssets is the number of assets that are expected to be
 	// synced from the above node.
 	startupSyncNumAssets int
+
+	// noDefaultUniverseSync indicates whether the default universe server
+	// should be added as a federation server or not.
+	noDefaultUniverseSync bool
 }
 
 type Option func(*tapdHarnessParams)
@@ -352,7 +376,7 @@ type Option func(*tapdHarnessParams)
 // setupTapdHarness creates a new tapd that connects to the given lnd node
 // and to the given universe server.
 func setupTapdHarness(t *testing.T, ht *harnessTest,
-	node *node.HarnessNode, universe *serverHarness,
+	node *node.HarnessNode, universe *universeServerHarness,
 	opts ...Option) *tapdHarness {
 
 	// Set parameters by executing option functions.
@@ -380,18 +404,22 @@ func setupTapdHarness(t *testing.T, ht *harnessTest,
 		ho.addrAssetSyncerDisable = params.addrAssetSyncerDisable
 	}
 
-	tapdHarness, err := newTapdHarness(
-		t, ht, tapdConfig{
-			NetParams: harnessNetParams,
-			LndNode:   node,
-		}, harnessOpts,
-	)
+	tapdHarness, err := newTapdHarness(t, ht, tapdConfig{
+		NetParams: harnessNetParams,
+		LndNode:   node,
+	}, harnessOpts)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Start the tapd harness now.
 	err = tapdHarness.start(params.expectErrExit)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
+	// Add the default universe server as a federation server, unless
+	// specifically indicated by the caller.
+	if !params.noDefaultUniverseSync {
+		ht.addFederationServer(universe.service.rpcHost(), tapdHarness)
+	}
+
 	// Before we exit, we'll check to see if we need to sync the universe
 	// state.
 	if params.startupSyncNode != nil {
diff --git a/itest/test_list_on_test.go b/itest/test_list_on_test.go
index 841db91a1..9f0297038 100644
--- a/itest/test_list_on_test.go
+++ b/itest/test_list_on_test.go
@@ -2,9 +2,7 @@
 
 package itest
 
-import (
-	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/proof"
-)
+import "github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/proof"
 
 var testCases = []*testCase{
 	{
@@ -48,14 +46,12 @@ var testCases = []*testCase{
 		proofCourierType: proof.HashmailCourierType,
 	},
 	{
-		name:             "basic send universerpc proof courier",
-		test:             testBasicSendUnidirectional,
-		proofCourierType: proof.UniverseRpcCourierType,
+		name: "basic send unidirectional",
+		test: testBasicSendUnidirectional,
 	},
 	{
-		name:             "restart receiver check balance",
-		test:             testRestartReceiverCheckBalance,
-		proofCourierType: proof.UniverseRpcCourierType,
+		name: "restart receiver check balance",
+		test: testRestartReceiverCheckBalance,
 	},
 	{
 		name:             "resume pending package send",
@@ -68,14 +64,12 @@ var testCases = []*testCase{
 		proofCourierType: proof.HashmailCourierType,
 	},
 	{
-		name:             "reattempt failed send uni courier",
-		test:             testReattemptFailedSendUniCourier,
-		proofCourierType: proof.UniverseRpcCourierType,
+		name: "reattempt failed send uni courier",
+		test: testReattemptFailedSendUniCourier,
 	},
 	{
-		name:             "reattempt failed receive uni courier",
-		test:             testReattemptFailedReceiveUniCourier,
-		proofCourierType: proof.UniverseRpcCourierType,
+		name: "reattempt failed receive uni courier",
+		test: testReattemptFailedReceiveUniCourier,
 	},
 	{
 		name:             "offline receiver eventually receives",
@@ -109,14 +103,12 @@ var testCases = []*testCase{
 		proofCourierType: proof.HashmailCourierType,
 	},
 	{
-		name:             "collectible send rpc courier",
-		test:             testCollectibleSend,
-		proofCourierType: proof.UniverseRpcCourierType,
+		name: "collectible send",
+		test: testCollectibleSend,
 	},
 	{
-		name:             "collectible group send rpc courier",
-		test:             testCollectibleGroupSend,
-		proofCourierType: proof.UniverseRpcCourierType,
+		name: "collectible group send",
+		test: testCollectibleGroupSend,
 	},
 	{
 		name: "re-issuance",
diff --git a/itest/universe_pagination_test.go b/itest/universe_pagination_test.go
index 2a639f938..9ef4c1065 100644
--- a/itest/universe_pagination_test.go
+++ b/itest/universe_pagination_test.go
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ func testUniversePaginationSimple(t *harnessTest) {
 	// If we create a second tapd instance and sync the universe state,
 	// the synced tree should match the source tree.
 	bob := setupTapdHarness(
-		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, nil,
+		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, bob.stop(!*noDelete))
diff --git a/itest/universe_server_harness.go b/itest/universe_server_harness.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b461d74da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/itest/universe_server_harness.go
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+package itest
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/proof"
+	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/node"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+type universeServerHarness struct {
+	// service is the instance of the universe tap service.
+	service *tapdHarness
+
+	// ListenAddr is the address that the service is listening on.
+	ListenAddr string
+}
+
+func newUniverseServerHarness(t *testing.T, ht *harnessTest,
+	lndHarness *node.HarnessNode) *universeServerHarness {
+
+	service, err := newTapdHarness(t, ht, tapdConfig{
+		NetParams: harnessNetParams,
+		LndNode:   lndHarness,
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	return &universeServerHarness{
+		service:    service,
+		ListenAddr: service.rpcHost(),
+	}
+}
+
+// Start starts the service.
+func (h *universeServerHarness) Start(_ chan error) error {
+	return h.service.start(false)
+}
+
+// Stop stops the service.
+func (h *universeServerHarness) Stop() error {
+	// Don't delete temporary data on stop. This will allow us to cleanly
+	// restart the service mid-test.
+	return h.service.stop(false)
+}
+
+// Ensure that universeServerHarness implements the proof.CourierHarness
+// interface.
+var _ proof.CourierHarness = (*universeServerHarness)(nil)
diff --git a/itest/universe_test.go b/itest/universe_test.go
index f4340aeab..5f9fe5b19 100644
--- a/itest/universe_test.go
+++ b/itest/universe_test.go
@@ -11,17 +11,15 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/btcec/v2"
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/btcec/v2/schnorr"
-	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/internal/test"
-
 	tap "github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets"
 	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/asset"
 	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/fn"
+	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/internal/test"
 	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/mssmt"
 	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/taprpc"
 	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/taprpc/mintrpc"
 	unirpc "github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/taprpc/universerpc"
 	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/universe"
-
 	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/wait"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 	"golang.org/x/exp/maps"
@@ -44,7 +42,10 @@ func testUniverseSync(t *harnessTest) {
 	// With those assets created, we'll now create a new node that we'll
 	// use to exercise the Universe sync.
 	bob := setupTapdHarness(
-		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, nil,
+		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
+		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
+			params.noDefaultUniverseSync = true
+		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, bob.stop(!*noDelete))
@@ -387,7 +388,10 @@ func testUniverseFederation(t *harnessTest) {
 	// We'll kick off the test by making a new node, without hooking it up to
 	// any existing Universe server.
 	bob := setupTapdHarness(
-		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, nil,
+		t.t, t, t.lndHarness.Bob, t.universeServer,
+		func(params *tapdHarnessParams) {
+			params.noDefaultUniverseSync = true
+		},
 	)
 	defer func() {
 		require.NoError(t.t, bob.stop(!*noDelete))
diff --git a/itest/universerpc_harness.go b/itest/universerpc_harness.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 4f0073fc2..000000000
--- a/itest/universerpc_harness.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,53 +0,0 @@
-package itest
-
-import (
-	"testing"
-
-	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/proof"
-	"github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/lntest/node"
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-)
-
-// UniverseRPCHarness is an integration testing harness for the universe tap
-// service.
-type UniverseRPCHarness struct {
-	// service is the instance of the universe tap service.
-	service *tapdHarness
-
-	// ListenAddr is the address that the service is listening on.
-	ListenAddr string
-}
-
-// NewUniverseRPCHarness creates a new test harness for a universe tap service.
-func NewUniverseRPCHarness(t *testing.T, ht *harnessTest,
-	lndHarness *node.HarnessNode) *UniverseRPCHarness {
-
-	service, err := newTapdHarness(
-		t, ht, tapdConfig{
-			NetParams: harnessNetParams,
-			LndNode:   lndHarness,
-		},
-	)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	return &UniverseRPCHarness{
-		service:    service,
-		ListenAddr: service.rpcHost(),
-	}
-}
-
-// Start starts the service.
-func (h *UniverseRPCHarness) Start(_ chan error) error {
-	return h.service.start(false)
-}
-
-// Stop stops the service.
-func (h *UniverseRPCHarness) Stop() error {
-	// Don't delete temporary data on stop. This will allow us to cleanly
-	// restart the service mid-test.
-	return h.service.stop(false)
-}
-
-// Ensure that NewUniverseRPCHarness implements the proof.CourierHarness
-// interface.
-var _ proof.CourierHarness = (*UniverseRPCHarness)(nil)
diff --git a/proof/verifier.go b/proof/verifier.go
index 098a1ac17..18c3e9b81 100644
--- a/proof/verifier.go
+++ b/proof/verifier.go
@@ -327,11 +327,11 @@ func (p *Proof) verifyGenesisReveal() error {
 
 // verifyGenesisGroupKey verifies that the group key attached to the asset in
 // this proof has already been verified.
-func (p *Proof) verfyGenesisGroupKey(groupVerifier GroupVerifier) error {
+func (p *Proof) verifyGenesisGroupKey(groupVerifier GroupVerifier) error {
 	groupKey := p.Asset.GroupKey.GroupPubKey
 	err := groupVerifier(&groupKey)
 	if err != nil {
-		return ErrGroupKeyUnknown
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", ErrGroupKeyUnknown, err)
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ func (p *Proof) Verify(ctx context.Context, prev *AssetSnapshot,
 	case isGenesisAsset && hasGroupKey && !hasGroupKeyReveal:
 		// A reissuance must be for an asset group that has already
 		// been imported and verified.
-		if err := p.verfyGenesisGroupKey(groupVerifier); err != nil {
+		if err := p.verifyGenesisGroupKey(groupVerifier); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 
@@ -500,7 +500,7 @@ func (p *Proof) Verify(ctx context.Context, prev *AssetSnapshot,
 	// 7. Verify group key for asset transfers. Any asset with a group key
 	// must carry a group key that has already been imported and verified.
 	if !isGenesisAsset && hasGroupKey {
-		if err := p.verfyGenesisGroupKey(groupVerifier); err != nil {
+		if err := p.verifyGenesisGroupKey(groupVerifier); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/tapfreighter/chain_porter.go b/tapfreighter/chain_porter.go
index e5953c99f..8b923f6cc 100644
--- a/tapfreighter/chain_porter.go
+++ b/tapfreighter/chain_porter.go
@@ -699,8 +699,14 @@ func (p *ChainPorter) transferReceiverProof(pkg *sendPackage) error {
 	}
 
 	// If we have a proof courier instance active, then we'll launch several
-	// goroutines to deliver the proof(s) to the receiver(s).
-	if p.cfg.ProofCourierCfg != nil {
+	// goroutines to deliver the proof(s) to the receiver(s). Since a
+	// pre-signed parcel (a parcel that uses the RPC driven vPSBT flow)
+	// doesn't have proof courier URLs (they aren't part of the vPSBT), the
+	// proofs must always be delivered in an interactive manner from sender
+	// to receiver, and we don't even need to attempt to use a proof
+	// courier.
+	_, isPreSigned := pkg.Parcel.(*PreSignedParcel)
+	if p.cfg.ProofCourierCfg != nil && !isPreSigned {
 		ctx, cancel := p.WithCtxQuitNoTimeout()
 		defer cancel()
 
diff --git a/tapgarden/caretaker.go b/tapgarden/caretaker.go
index d60c22dbb..fb1c1c65a 100644
--- a/tapgarden/caretaker.go
+++ b/tapgarden/caretaker.go
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/btcsuite/btcd/wire"
 	"github.com/davecgh/go-spew/spew"
 	"github.com/lightninglabs/neutrino/cache/lru"
-
 	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/asset"
 	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/commitment"
 	"github.com/lightninglabs/taproot-assets/fn"
@@ -1336,14 +1335,13 @@ func newSingleValue[T any](v T) singleCacheValue[T] {
 // is used more as a set.
 type emptyCacheVal = singleCacheValue[emptyVal]
 
-// GenGroupVeifier generates a group key verification callback function given a
+// GenGroupVerifier generates a group key verification callback function given a
 // DB handle.
 func GenGroupVerifier(ctx context.Context,
 	mintingStore MintingStore) func(*btcec.PublicKey) error {
 
 	// Cache known group keys that were previously fetched.
-	assetGroups := lru.NewCache[
-		asset.SerializedKey, emptyCacheVal](
+	assetGroups := lru.NewCache[asset.SerializedKey, emptyCacheVal](
 		assetGroupCacheSize,
 	)
 
@@ -1360,12 +1358,10 @@ func GenGroupVerifier(ctx context.Context,
 
 		// This query will err if no stored group has a matching
 		// tweaked group key.
-		_, err = mintingStore.FetchGroupByGroupKey(
-			ctx, groupKey,
-		)
+		_, err = mintingStore.FetchGroupByGroupKey(ctx, groupKey)
 		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("%x: %w", assetGroupKey,
-				ErrGroupKeyUnknown)
+			return fmt.Errorf("%x: group verifier: %v: %w",
+				assetGroupKey[:], err, ErrGroupKeyUnknown)
 		}
 
 		_, _ = assetGroups.Put(assetGroupKey, emptyCacheVal{})
@@ -1377,12 +1373,12 @@ func GenGroupVerifier(ctx context.Context,
 // GenGroupAnchorVerifier generates a caching group anchor verification
 // callback function given a DB handle.
 func GenGroupAnchorVerifier(ctx context.Context,
-	mintingStore MintingStore) func(*asset.Genesis,
-	*asset.GroupKey) error {
+	mintingStore MintingStore) func(*asset.Genesis, *asset.GroupKey) error {
 
 	// Cache anchors for groups that were previously fetched.
 	groupAnchors := lru.NewCache[
-		asset.SerializedKey, singleCacheValue[*asset.Genesis]](
+		asset.SerializedKey, singleCacheValue[*asset.Genesis],
+	](
 		assetGroupCacheSize,
 	)
 
@@ -1394,7 +1390,9 @@ func GenGroupAnchorVerifier(ctx context.Context,
 				ctx, &groupKey.GroupPubKey,
 			)
 			if err != nil {
-				return ErrGroupKeyUnknown
+				return fmt.Errorf("%x: group anchor verifier: "+
+					"%w", assetGroupKey[:],
+					ErrGroupKeyUnknown)
 			}
 
 			groupAnchor = newSingleValue(storedGroup.Genesis)
diff --git a/universe/base.go b/universe/base.go
index 11f09e7f1..07a07de28 100644
--- a/universe/base.go
+++ b/universe/base.go
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ func (a *Archive) UpsertProofLeaf(ctx context.Context, id Identifier,
 		ctx, id, key, &newProof, prevAssetSnapshot,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to verify proof: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	// Now that we know the proof is valid, we'll insert it into the base