diff --git a/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/migration/genesis.go b/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/migration/genesis.go
index 131fe635e..79624486f 100644
--- a/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/migration/genesis.go
+++ b/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/migration/genesis.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/common"
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/common/chain"
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/core/types"
+	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/internal/migrations"
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/internal/statesync"
 )
 
@@ -49,11 +50,18 @@ func genesisStateCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				return display.PrintErr(cmd, err)
 			}
 
+			// this check should change in every version:
+			// For backwards compatibility, we should be able to unmarshal structs from previous versions.
+			// Since v0.9 is our first time supporting migration, we only need to check for v0.9.
+			if metadata.Version != migrations.MigrationVersion {
+				return display.PrintErr(cmd, fmt.Errorf("genesis state download is incompatible. Received version: %d, supported versions: [%d]", metadata.Version, migrations.MigrationVersion))
+			}
+
 			// If there is no active migration or if the migration has not started yet, return the migration state
 			// indicating that there is no genesis state to download.
 			if metadata.MigrationState.Status == types.NoActiveMigration ||
 				metadata.MigrationState.Status == types.MigrationNotStarted ||
-				metadata.GenesisConfig == nil || metadata.SnapshotMetadata == nil {
+				metadata.GenesisInfo == nil || metadata.SnapshotMetadata == nil {
 				return display.PrintCmd(cmd, &MigrationState{
 					Info: metadata.MigrationState,
 				})
@@ -69,18 +77,33 @@ func genesisStateCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				return display.PrintErr(cmd, err)
 			}
 
-			// retrieve the genesis config
-			var genCfg chain.GenesisConfig
-			if err = json.Unmarshal(metadata.GenesisConfig, &genCfg); err != nil {
-				return display.PrintErr(cmd, err)
-			}
-
 			// retrieve the snapshot metadata
 			var snapshotMetadata statesync.Snapshot
 			if err = json.Unmarshal(metadata.SnapshotMetadata, &snapshotMetadata); err != nil {
 				return display.PrintErr(cmd, err)
 			}
 
+			genCfg := chain.GenesisConfig{
+				DataAppHash:   metadata.GenesisInfo.AppHash,
+				InitialHeight: metadata.MigrationState.StartHeight,
+				ConsensusParams: &chain.ConsensusParams{
+					BaseConsensusParams: chain.BaseConsensusParams{
+						Migration: chain.MigrationParams{
+							StartHeight: metadata.MigrationState.StartHeight,
+							EndHeight:   metadata.MigrationState.EndHeight,
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			}
+
+			for _, nv := range metadata.GenesisInfo.Validators {
+				genCfg.Validators = append(genCfg.Validators, &chain.GenesisValidator{
+					Name:   nv.Name,
+					PubKey: nv.PubKey,
+					Power:  nv.Power,
+				})
+			}
+
 			// Print the genesis state to the genesis.json file
 			genesisFile := filepath.Join(expandedDir, genesisFileName)
 			err = genCfg.SaveAs(genesisFile)
diff --git a/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/migration/list.go b/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/migration/list.go
index 772c53593..69a5d83e5 100644
--- a/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/migration/list.go
+++ b/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/migration/list.go
@@ -59,7 +59,6 @@ func (m *MigrationsList) MarshalText() ([]byte, error) {
 		msg.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("%s:\n", migration.ID))
 		msg.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("\tactivationPeriod: %d\n", migration.ActivationPeriod))
 		msg.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("\tmigrationDuration: %d\n", migration.Duration))
-		msg.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("\tchainID: %s\n", migration.ChainID))
 		msg.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("\ttimestamp: %s\n", migration.Timestamp))
 	}
 	return msg.Bytes(), nil
diff --git a/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/migration/propose.go b/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/migration/propose.go
index b42fe1365..c9d98ea1b 100644
--- a/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/migration/propose.go
+++ b/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/migration/propose.go
@@ -13,17 +13,20 @@ import (
 )
 
 var (
-	proposeLong = "A Validator operator can submit a migration proposal using the `propose` subcommand. The migration proposal includes the new `chain-id`, `activation-period` and `duration`. This action will generate a migration resolution for the other validators to vote on. If a super-majority of validators approve the migration proposal, the migration will commence after the specified activation-period blocks from approval and will continue for the duration defined by duration blocks."
+	proposeLong = `A validator operator can submit a migration proposal using the ` + "`" + `propose` + "`" + ` subcommand.
+	
+The migration proposal includes the ` + "`" + `activation-period` + "`" + ` and ` + "`" + `duration` + "`" + `. This will generate a migration resolution
+for the other validators to vote on. If a super-majority of validators approve the migration proposal, the migration will
+commence after the specified activation-period blocks from approval and will continue for the duration defined by duration blocks.`
 
-	proposeExample = `# Submit a migration proposal to migrate to a new chain "kwil-chain-new" with activation period 1000 and migration duration of 14400 blocks.
-kwil-admin migrate propose --activation-period 1000 --duration 14400 --chain-id kwil-chain-new
+	proposeExample = `# Submit a migration proposal to migrate to a new chain with activation period 1000 and migration duration of 14400 blocks.
+kwil-admin migrate propose --activation-period 1000 --duration 14400
 (or)
-kwil-admin migrate propose -a 1000 -d 14400 -c kwil-chain-new`
+kwil-admin migrate propose -a 1000 -d 14400`
 )
 
 func proposeCmd() *cobra.Command {
 	var activationPeriod, migrationDuration uint64
-	var chainID string
 
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{
 		Use:     "propose",
@@ -42,14 +45,9 @@ func proposeCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				return display.PrintErr(cmd, errors.New("start-height and migration duration must be greater than 0"))
 			}
 
-			if chainID == "" {
-				return display.PrintErr(cmd, errors.New("chain-id configuration is not set"))
-			}
-
 			proposal := migrations.MigrationDeclaration{
 				ActivationPeriod: activationPeriod,
 				Duration:         migrationDuration,
-				ChainID:          chainID,
 				Timestamp:        time.Now().String(),
 			}
 			proposalBts, err := proposal.MarshalBinary()
@@ -70,6 +68,5 @@ func proposeCmd() *cobra.Command {
 
 	cmd.Flags().Uint64VarP(&activationPeriod, "activation-period", "a", 0, "The number of blocks before the migration is activated since the approval of the proposal.")
 	cmd.Flags().Uint64VarP(&migrationDuration, "duration", "d", 0, "The duration of the migration.")
-	cmd.Flags().StringVarP(&chainID, "chain-id", "c", "", "The chain ID of the migration.")
 	return cmd
 }
diff --git a/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/setup/genesis.go b/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/setup/genesis.go
index a474d3efa..8f5d69711 100644
--- a/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/setup/genesis.go
+++ b/cmd/kwil-admin/cmds/setup/genesis.go
@@ -21,9 +21,6 @@ var (
 
 This command creates a new genesis file with optionally specified modifications.
 
-If the ` + "`" + `--migration` + "`" + ` flag is set, an incomplete genesis file is generated that can be used in a zero
-downtime migration. If generating a migration genesis file, validators and initial state cannot be set.
-
 Validators, balance allocations, and forks should have the format "name:key:power", "address:balance",
 and "name:height" respectively.`
 
@@ -34,16 +31,13 @@ kwil-admin setup genesis
 kwil-admin setup genesis --out /path/to/directory --chain-id mychainid --validator my_validator:890fe7ae9cb1fa6177555d5651e1b8451b4a9c64021c876236c700bc2690ff1d:1
 
 # Create a new genesis.json with the specified allocation
-kwil-admin setup genesis --alloc 0x7f5f4552091a69125d5dfcb7b8c2659029395bdf:100
-
-# Create a new genesis.json file to be used in a network migration
-kwil-admin setup genesis --migration --out /path/to/directory --chain-id mychainid`
+kwil-admin setup genesis --alloc 0x7f5f4552091a69125d5dfcb7b8c2659029395bdf:100`
 )
 
 func genesisCmd() *cobra.Command {
 	var validators, allocs, forks []string
 	var chainID, output, genesisState string
-	var migration, withGasCosts bool
+	var withGasCosts bool
 	var maxBytesPerBlock, joinExpiry, voteExpiry, maxVotesPerBlock int64
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{
 		Use:     "genesis",
@@ -69,10 +63,6 @@ func genesisCmd() *cobra.Command {
 
 			genesisInfo := chain.DefaultGenesisConfig()
 			if cmd.Flags().Changed(validatorsFlag) {
-				if migration {
-					return makeErr(errors.New("cannot set validators when generating a migration genesis file"))
-				}
-
 				for _, v := range validators {
 					parts := strings.Split(v, ":")
 					if len(parts) != 3 {
@@ -134,17 +124,9 @@ func genesisCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				}
 			}
 			if cmd.Flags().Changed(chainIDFlag) {
-				if migration {
-					return makeErr(errors.New("cannot set chain ID when generating a migration genesis file"))
-				}
-
 				genesisInfo.ChainID = chainID
 			}
 			if cmd.Flags().Changed(genesisStateFlag) {
-				if migration {
-					return makeErr(errors.New("cannot set genesis state when generating a migration genesis file"))
-				}
-
 				apphash, err := appHashFromSnapshotFile(genesisState)
 				if err != nil {
 					return makeErr(err)
@@ -166,12 +148,6 @@ func genesisCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				genesisInfo.ConsensusParams.Votes.MaxVotesPerTx = maxVotesPerBlock
 			}
 
-			if migration {
-				genesisInfo.Validators = nil
-				genesisInfo.Alloc = nil
-				genesisInfo.ForkHeights = nil
-			}
-
 			existingFile, err := os.Stat(out)
 			if err == nil && existingFile.IsDir() {
 				return makeErr(fmt.Errorf("a directory already exists at %s, please remove it first", out))
@@ -198,7 +174,6 @@ func genesisCmd() *cobra.Command {
 	cmd.Flags().Int64Var(&joinExpiry, joinExpiryFlag, 0, "Number of blocks before a join proposal expires")
 	cmd.Flags().Int64Var(&voteExpiry, voteExpiryFlag, 0, "Number of blocks before a vote proposal expires")
 	cmd.Flags().Int64Var(&maxVotesPerBlock, maxVotesPerTxFlag, 0, "Maximum number of votes per validator transaction (each validator has 1 validator tx per block)")
-	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&migration, migrationFlag, false, "Generate an incomplete genesis file for zero downtime migration")
 	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&genesisState, genesisStateFlag, "", "Path to a genesis state file")
 
 	return cmd
diff --git a/cmd/kwild/server/migration.go b/cmd/kwild/server/migration.go
index ccf603623..7ba06b94f 100644
--- a/cmd/kwild/server/migration.go
+++ b/cmd/kwild/server/migration.go
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/core/log"
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/core/types"
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/internal/abci/cometbft"
+	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/internal/migrations"
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/internal/statesync"
 )
 
@@ -60,14 +61,33 @@ func PrepareForMigration(ctx context.Context, kwildCfg *commonCfg.KwildConfig, g
 	logger.Info("Entering migration mode", log.String("migrate_from", kwildCfg.MigrationConfig.MigrateFrom))
 
 	snapshotFileName := config.GenesisStateFileName(kwildCfg.RootDir)
-	// check if genesis hash is set in the genesis config
-	if genesisCfg.DataAppHash != nil &&
-		genesisCfg.ConsensusParams.Migration.StartHeight != 0 &&
-		genesisCfg.ConsensusParams.Migration.EndHeight != 0 &&
-		validateGenesisState(snapshotFileName, genesisCfg.DataAppHash) {
-		// genesis state already downloaded. No need to poll for genesis state
+
+	// if the genesis state is already downloaded, then no need to poll for genesis state
+	_, err := os.Stat(snapshotFileName)
+	if err == nil {
 		logger.Info("Genesis state already downloaded", log.String("genesis snapshot", snapshotFileName))
+
+		if err := validateGenesisState(snapshotFileName, genesisCfg.DataAppHash); err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, err
+		}
+
 		return kwildCfg, genesisCfg, nil
+	} else if !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to check genesis state file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// if we reach here, then we still need to download the genesis state
+	// Therefore, the genesis app hash, initial height, and migration info
+	// should not already be set in the genesis config.
+	if len(genesisCfg.DataAppHash) != 0 {
+		return nil, nil, errors.New("migration genesis config should not have app hash set")
+	}
+	if genesisCfg.InitialHeight != 0 && genesisCfg.InitialHeight != 1 {
+		// we are forcing users to adopt the height provided by the old chain
+		return nil, nil, errors.New("migration genesis config should not have initial height set")
+	}
+	if genesisCfg.ConsensusParams.Migration.IsMigration() {
+		return nil, nil, errors.New("migration genesis config should not have migration info set")
 	}
 
 	// old chain client
@@ -124,21 +144,23 @@ func (m *migrationClient) downloadGenesisState(ctx context.Context) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
+	// this check should change in every version:
+	// For backwards compatibility, we should be able to unmarshal structs from previous versions.
+	// Since v0.9 is our first time supporting migration, we only need to check for v0.9.
+	if metadata.Version != migrations.MigrationVersion {
+		return fmt.Errorf("genesis state download is incompatible. Received version: %d, supported versions: [%d]", metadata.Version, migrations.MigrationVersion)
+	}
+
 	// Check if the genesis state is ready
 	if metadata.MigrationState.Status == types.NoActiveMigration || metadata.MigrationState.Status == types.MigrationNotStarted {
 		return fmt.Errorf("status %s", metadata.MigrationState.Status.String())
 	}
 
 	// Genesis state should ready
-	if metadata.SnapshotMetadata == nil || metadata.GenesisConfig == nil {
+	if metadata.SnapshotMetadata == nil || metadata.GenesisInfo == nil {
 		return errors.New("genesis state not available")
 	}
 
-	var genCfg chain.GenesisConfig
-	if err := json.Unmarshal(metadata.GenesisConfig, &genCfg); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to unmarshal genesis config: %w", err)
-	}
-
 	// Save the genesis state
 	var snapshotMetadata statesync.Snapshot
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(metadata.SnapshotMetadata, &snapshotMetadata); err != nil {
@@ -169,11 +191,27 @@ func (m *migrationClient) downloadGenesisState(ctx context.Context) error {
 	}
 
 	// Update the genesis config
-	m.genesisCfg.DataAppHash = genCfg.DataAppHash
-	m.genesisCfg.Validators = genCfg.Validators
-	m.genesisCfg.ConsensusParams.Migration = genCfg.ConsensusParams.Migration
+	m.genesisCfg.DataAppHash = metadata.GenesisInfo.AppHash
+	m.genesisCfg.ConsensusParams.Migration = chain.MigrationParams{
+		StartHeight: metadata.MigrationState.StartHeight,
+		EndHeight:   metadata.MigrationState.EndHeight,
+	}
 	m.genesisCfg.InitialHeight = metadata.MigrationState.StartHeight
 
+	// if validators are not set in the genesis config, then set them.
+	// Otherwise, ignore the validators from the old chain.
+	if len(m.genesisCfg.Validators) == 0 {
+		for _, v := range metadata.GenesisInfo.Validators {
+			m.genesisCfg.Validators = append(m.genesisCfg.Validators, &chain.GenesisValidator{
+				Name:   v.Name,
+				PubKey: v.PubKey,
+				Power:  v.Power,
+			})
+		}
+	} else {
+		m.logger.Warn("Validators already set in the genesis config. Ignoring the validators from the old chain")
+	}
+
 	// persist the genesis config
 	if err := m.genesisCfg.SaveAs(filepath.Join(m.kwildCfg.RootDir, cometbft.GenesisJSONName)); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to save genesis config: %w", err)
@@ -191,30 +229,34 @@ func (m *migrationClient) downloadGenesisState(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func validateGenesisState(filename string, appHash []byte) bool {
-	// check if the genesis state file exists
-	if _, err := os.Stat(filename); os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		return false
-	}
+// validateGenesisState validates the genesis state file against the app hash.
+// It is the caller's responsibility to check if the file exists.
+func validateGenesisState(filename string, appHash []byte) error {
+	// we don't need to check if the file exists since the caller should have already checked it
 
 	genesisStateFile, err := os.Open(filename)
 	if err != nil {
-		return false
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to open genesis state file: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	// gzip reader and hash reader
 	gzipReader, err := gzip.NewReader(genesisStateFile)
 	if err != nil {
-		failBuild(err, "failed to create gzip reader")
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create gzip reader: %w", err)
 	}
 	defer gzipReader.Close()
 
 	hasher := sha256.New()
 	_, err = io.Copy(hasher, gzipReader)
 	if err != nil {
-		return false
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to hash genesis state file: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	hash := hasher.Sum(nil)
-	return appHash != nil && len(hash) == len(appHash) && bytes.Equal(hash, appHash)
+
+	if !bytes.Equal(hash, appHash) {
+		return errors.New("app hash does not match the genesis state")
+	}
+
+	return nil
 }
diff --git a/common/chain/chaincfg.go b/common/chain/chaincfg.go
index 2fed0aa2d..fc4d36374 100644
--- a/common/chain/chaincfg.go
+++ b/common/chain/chaincfg.go
@@ -135,6 +135,11 @@ type MigrationParams struct {
 	EndHeight int64 `json:"end_height,omitempty"`
 }
 
+// IsMigration returns true if the migration parameters are set.
+func (m *MigrationParams) IsMigration() bool {
+	return m.StartHeight != 0 && m.EndHeight != 0
+}
+
 func defaultConsensusParams() *ConsensusParams {
 	return &ConsensusParams{
 		BaseConsensusParams: BaseConsensusParams{
diff --git a/core/types/types.go b/core/types/types.go
index 80f05a4e1..c72400806 100644
--- a/core/types/types.go
+++ b/core/types/types.go
@@ -87,7 +87,6 @@ type Migration struct {
 	ID               *UUID  `json:"id"`                 // ID is the UUID of the migration resolution/proposal
 	ActivationPeriod int64  `json:"activation_height"`  // ActivationPeriod is the amount of blocks before the migration is activated.
 	Duration         int64  `json:"migration_duration"` // MigrationDuration is the duration of the migration process starting from the ActivationHeight
-	ChainID          string `json:"chain_id"`           // ChainID of the new network
 	Timestamp        string `json:"timestamp"`          // Timestamp when the migration was proposed
 }
 
@@ -126,8 +125,26 @@ type MigrationState struct {
 // for the migration.
 type MigrationMetadata struct {
 	MigrationState   MigrationState `json:"migration_state"`   // MigrationState is the current state of the migration
-	GenesisConfig    []byte         `json:"genesis_config"`    // GenesisConfig is the genesis file data
+	GenesisInfo      *GenesisInfo   `json:"genesis_info"`      // GenesisInfo is the genesis information
 	SnapshotMetadata []byte         `json:"snapshot_metadata"` // SnapshotMetadata is the snapshot metadata
+	Version          int            `json:"version"`           // Version of the migration metadata
+}
+
+// GenesisInfo holds the genesis information that the new network should use
+// in its genesis file.
+type GenesisInfo struct {
+	// AppHash is the application hash of the old network at the StartHeight
+	AppHash HexBytes `json:"app_hash"`
+	// Validators is the list of validators that the new network should start with
+	Validators []*NamedValidator `json:"validators"`
+}
+
+// NamedValidator is a validator with a name.
+// Since CometBFT assigns validators human-readable names, this struct
+// is used to represent a validator with its name that will be used in the genesis file.
+type NamedValidator struct {
+	Name      string `json:"name"`
+	Validator `json:"validator"`
 }
 
 // ServiceMode describes the operating mode of the user service. Namely, if the
diff --git a/internal/migrations/migrations.go b/internal/migrations/migrations.go
index c409c9933..df94093c5 100644
--- a/internal/migrations/migrations.go
+++ b/internal/migrations/migrations.go
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ func init() {
 	}
 }
 
+const MigrationVersion int = 0
+
 // MigrationDeclaration creates a new migration. It is used to agree on terms of a migration,
 // and is voted on using Kwil's vote store.
 type MigrationDeclaration struct {
@@ -51,10 +53,6 @@ type MigrationDeclaration struct {
 	ActivationPeriod uint64
 	// Duration is the amount of blocks the migration will take to complete.
 	Duration uint64
-	// ChainID is the new chain ID that the network will migrate to.
-	// A new chain ID should always be used for a new network, to avoid
-	// cross-network replay attacks.
-	ChainID string
 	// Timestamp is the time the migration was created. It is set by the migration
 	// creator. The primary purpose of it is to guarantee uniqueness of the serialized
 	// MigrationDeclaration, since that is a requirement for the voting system.
@@ -116,7 +114,6 @@ func (m *Migrator) startMigration(ctx context.Context, app *common.App, resoluti
 	active := &activeMigration{
 		StartHeight: block.Height + activationPeriod,
 		EndHeight:   block.Height + activationPeriod + dur,
-		ChainID:     mig.ChainID,
 	}
 
 	err = createMigration(ctx, app.DB, active)
diff --git a/internal/migrations/migrator.go b/internal/migrations/migrator.go
index 793b3bf5c..5cbd6780a 100644
--- a/internal/migrations/migrator.go
+++ b/internal/migrations/migrator.go
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"sync"
-	"time"
 
 	cmtTypes "github.com/cometbft/cometbft/types"
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/common"
@@ -18,8 +17,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/core/log"
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/core/types"
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/core/types/serialize"
-	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/internal/abci/cometbft"
-	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/internal/abci/meta"
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/internal/sql/pg"
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/internal/sql/versioning"
 	"github.com/kwilteam/kwil-db/internal/txapp"
@@ -46,7 +43,6 @@ var (
 	}
 
 	metadataFileName = "metadata.json"
-	genesisFileName  = "genesis.json"
 )
 
 const (
@@ -116,8 +112,6 @@ type activeMigration struct {
 	StartHeight int64
 	// EndHeight is the height at which the migration ends.
 	EndHeight int64
-	// ChainID is the chain ID of the migration.
-	ChainID string
 }
 
 // SetupMigrator initializes the migrator instance with the necessary dependencies.
@@ -246,12 +240,6 @@ func (m *Migrator) NotifyHeight(ctx context.Context, block *common.BlockContext,
 			return err
 		}
 
-		// Retrieve the consensus params stored in the DB
-		cfgParams, err := meta.LoadParams(ctx, tx)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
 		// Retrieve snapshot hash
 		snapshots := m.snapshotter.ListSnapshots()
 		if len(snapshots) == 0 {
@@ -270,14 +258,14 @@ func (m *Migrator) NotifyHeight(ctx context.Context, block *common.BlockContext,
 			}
 		}
 
-		go m.generateGenesisConfig(ctx, cfgParams, snapshots[0].SnapshotHash, genesisVals, m.Logger)
+		go m.generateGenesisConfig(ctx, snapshots[0].SnapshotHash, genesisVals, m.Logger)
 	}
 
 	if block.Height == m.activeMigration.EndHeight {
 		// starting from here, no more transactions of any kind will be accepted or mined.
 		block.ChainContext.NetworkParameters.MigrationStatus = types.MigrationCompleted
 		m.halted = true
-		m.Logger.Info("migration to chain completed, no new transactions will be accepted", log.String("ChainID", m.activeMigration.ChainID))
+		m.Logger.Info("migration to chain completed, no new transactions will be accepted")
 	}
 
 	// wait for signal on doneChan, indicating that all changesets have been written to disk
@@ -299,7 +287,7 @@ func (m *Migrator) NotifyHeight(ctx context.Context, block *common.BlockContext,
 // This function is called only once at the start height of the migration.
 // It is run asynchronously as we don't have access to the cometbft's state during replay.
 // Therefore we need to wait for the consensus params fn to be set before we can generate the genesis file.
-func (m *Migrator) generateGenesisConfig(ctx context.Context, cfgParams *common.NetworkParameters, snapshotHash []byte, genesisValidators []*chain.GenesisValidator, logger log.Logger) {
+func (m *Migrator) generateGenesisConfig(ctx context.Context, snapshotHash []byte, genesisValidators []*chain.GenesisValidator, logger log.Logger) {
 	// block until the m.consensusParamsFn is closed
 	<-m.consensusParamsFnChan
 
@@ -309,7 +297,7 @@ func (m *Migrator) generateGenesisConfig(ctx context.Context, cfgParams *common.
 		return
 	}
 
-	logger.Info("generating genesis config for the new chain", log.String("ChainID", m.activeMigration.ChainID))
+	logger.Info("generating genesis config for the new chain")
 
 	height := m.activeMigration.StartHeight - 1
 	consensusParmas := m.consensusParamsFn(ctx, &height)
@@ -318,28 +306,37 @@ func (m *Migrator) generateGenesisConfig(ctx context.Context, cfgParams *common.
 		return
 	}
 
-	finalCfg := cometbft.MergeConsensusParams(consensusParmas, cfgParams)
-	// Migration Params
-	finalCfg.Migration.StartHeight = m.activeMigration.StartHeight
-	finalCfg.Migration.EndHeight = m.activeMigration.EndHeight
+	var genVals []*types.NamedValidator
 
-	genCfg := &chain.GenesisConfig{
-		ChainID:     m.activeMigration.ChainID,
-		GenesisTime: time.Now().Round(0).UTC(),
-		// Initial height set to 0
-		DataAppHash: snapshotHash,
-		// Allocs are not needed, as the transfers are included in the snapshot
-		// forks can be dropped, as they maynot be relevant to the new chain
-		Validators:      genesisValidators,
-		ConsensusParams: finalCfg,
+	for _, v := range genesisValidators {
+		genVals = append(genVals, &types.NamedValidator{
+			Name: v.Name,
+			Validator: types.Validator{
+				PubKey: v.PubKey,
+				Power:  v.Power,
+			},
+		})
 	}
 
-	// Save the genesis file
-	err := genCfg.SaveAs(formatGenesisFilename(m.dir))
+	genInfo := &types.GenesisInfo{
+		AppHash:    snapshotHash,
+		Validators: genVals,
+	}
+
+	bts, err := json.Marshal(genInfo)
 	if err != nil {
-		logger.Error("failed to save genesis file", log.Error(err))
+		logger.Error("failed to marshal genesis info", log.Error(err))
 		return
 	}
+
+	// Save the genesis info
+	err = os.WriteFile(formatGenesisInfoFileName(m.dir), bts, 0644)
+	if err != nil {
+		logger.Error("failed to save genesis info", log.Error(err))
+		return
+	}
+
+	logger.Info("genesis config generated successfully")
 }
 
 func (m *Migrator) PersistLastChangesetHeight(ctx context.Context, tx sql.Executor) error {
@@ -380,6 +377,7 @@ func (m *Migrator) GetMigrationMetadata() (*types.MigrationMetadata, error) {
 			MigrationState: types.MigrationState{
 				Status: types.NoActiveMigration,
 			},
+			Version: MigrationVersion,
 		}, nil
 	}
 
@@ -391,6 +389,7 @@ func (m *Migrator) GetMigrationMetadata() (*types.MigrationMetadata, error) {
 				StartHeight: m.activeMigration.StartHeight,
 				EndHeight:   m.activeMigration.EndHeight,
 			},
+			Version: MigrationVersion,
 		}, nil
 	}
 
@@ -409,14 +408,15 @@ func (m *Migrator) GetMigrationMetadata() (*types.MigrationMetadata, error) {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	genCfg, err := chain.LoadGenesisConfig(formatGenesisFilename(m.dir))
+	// read the genesis config
+	genCfg, err := os.ReadFile(formatGenesisInfoFileName(m.dir))
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	// serialize genesis config data
-	configBts, err := json.Marshal(genCfg)
-	if err != nil {
+	// unmarshal
+	var genesisInfo types.GenesisInfo
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(genCfg, &genesisInfo); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -432,7 +432,8 @@ func (m *Migrator) GetMigrationMetadata() (*types.MigrationMetadata, error) {
 			EndHeight:   m.activeMigration.EndHeight,
 		},
 		SnapshotMetadata: snapshotBts,
-		GenesisConfig:    configBts,
+		GenesisInfo:      &genesisInfo,
+		Version:          MigrationVersion,
 	}, nil
 }
 
@@ -749,8 +750,8 @@ func formatChangesetMetadataFilename(mdir string, height int64) string {
 	return filepath.Join(mdir, changesetsDirName, fmt.Sprintf("block-%d", height), metadataFileName)
 }
 
-func formatGenesisFilename(mdir string) string {
-	return filepath.Join(mdir, genesisFileName)
+func formatGenesisInfoFileName(mdir string) string {
+	return filepath.Join(mdir, "genesis_info.json")
 }
 
 // CleanupResolutionsAtStartup is called at startup to clean up the resolutions table. It does the below things:
diff --git a/internal/migrations/sql.go b/internal/migrations/sql.go
index 8e78c3049..3ff10778e 100644
--- a/internal/migrations/sql.go
+++ b/internal/migrations/sql.go
@@ -51,16 +51,15 @@ var (
 	tableMigrationsSQL = `CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS ` + migrationsSchemaName + `.migration (
 		id INT PRIMARY KEY,
 		start_height INT8 NOT NULL,
-		end_height INT8 NOT NULL,
-		chain_id TEXT NOT NULL
+		end_height INT8 NOT NULL
 	)`
 
 	// getMigrationSQL is the sql query used to get the current migration.
-	getMigrationSQL = `SELECT start_height, end_height, chain_id FROM ` + migrationsSchemaName + `.migration;`
+	getMigrationSQL = `SELECT start_height, end_height FROM ` + migrationsSchemaName + `.migration;`
 	// migrationIsActiveSQL is the sql query used  to check if a migration is active.
 	migrationIsActiveSQL = `SELECT EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM ` + migrationsSchemaName + `.migration);`
 	// createMigrationSQL is the sql query used to create a new migration.
-	createMigrationSQL = `INSERT INTO ` + migrationsSchemaName + `.migration (id, start_height, end_height, chain_id) VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4);`
+	createMigrationSQL = `INSERT INTO ` + migrationsSchemaName + `.migration (id, start_height, end_height) VALUES ($1, $2, $3);`
 
 	lastStoreChangeset = `last_stored_changeset`
 
@@ -108,11 +107,6 @@ func getMigrationState(ctx context.Context, db sql.Executor) (*activeMigration,
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("internal bug: duration is not an int64")
 	}
 
-	md.ChainID, ok = row[2].(string)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("internal bug: chain ID is not a string")
-	}
-
 	return md, nil
 }
 
@@ -139,7 +133,7 @@ func migrationActive(ctx context.Context, db sql.Executor) (bool, error) {
 
 // createMigration creates a new migration state in the database.
 func createMigration(ctx context.Context, db sql.Executor, md *activeMigration) error {
-	_, err := db.Execute(ctx, createMigrationSQL, 1, md.StartHeight, md.EndHeight, md.ChainID)
+	_, err := db.Execute(ctx, createMigrationSQL, 1, md.StartHeight, md.EndHeight)
 	return err
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/services/jsonrpc/usersvc/service.go b/internal/services/jsonrpc/usersvc/service.go
index 67142563b..5d2d84aab 100644
--- a/internal/services/jsonrpc/usersvc/service.go
+++ b/internal/services/jsonrpc/usersvc/service.go
@@ -936,7 +936,6 @@ func (svc *Service) ListPendingMigrations(ctx context.Context, req *userjson.Lis
 			ID:               res.ID,
 			ActivationPeriod: (int64)(mig.ActivationPeriod),
 			Duration:         (int64)(mig.Duration),
-			ChainID:          mig.ChainID,
 			Timestamp:        mig.Timestamp,
 		})
 	}
diff --git a/internal/statesync/snapshot.go b/internal/statesync/snapshot.go
index ee805ab39..91bd5ed92 100644
--- a/internal/statesync/snapshot.go
+++ b/internal/statesync/snapshot.go
@@ -5,11 +5,12 @@ import (
 	"os"
 )
 
-// Snapshot is the header of a snapshot file representing the snapshot of the database at a certain height.
-// It contains the height, format, chunk count, hash, size, and name of the snapshot.
-
 const HashLen int = 32
 
+// Snapshot is the header of a snapshot file representing the snapshot of the database at a certain height.
+// It contains the height, format, chunk count, hash, size, and name of the snapshot.
+// WARNING: This struct CAN NOT be changed without breaking functionality,
+// since it is used for communication between nodes.
 type Snapshot struct {
 	Height       uint64          `json:"height"`
 	Format       uint32          `json:"format"`
diff --git a/test/driver/operator/cli_driver.go b/test/driver/operator/cli_driver.go
index a293dace8..148008231 100644
--- a/test/driver/operator/cli_driver.go
+++ b/test/driver/operator/cli_driver.go
@@ -183,9 +183,9 @@ type respTxQuery struct {
 	} `json:"tx_result"`
 }
 
-func (o *OperatorCLIDriver) SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx context.Context, activationHeight, migrationDuration *big.Int, chainID string) ([]byte, error) {
+func (o *OperatorCLIDriver) SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx context.Context, activationHeight, migrationDuration *big.Int) ([]byte, error) {
 	var res display.TxHashResponse
-	err := o.runCommand(ctx, &res, "migrate", "propose", activationHeight.String(), migrationDuration.String(), chainID)
+	err := o.runCommand(ctx, &res, "migrate", "propose", "--activation-period", activationHeight.String(), "--duration", migrationDuration.String())
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/test/driver/operator/client_driver.go b/test/driver/operator/client_driver.go
index 01ca69ea7..da5035d25 100644
--- a/test/driver/operator/client_driver.go
+++ b/test/driver/operator/client_driver.go
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func (a *AdminClientDriver) ConnectedPeers(ctx context.Context) ([]string, error
 	return peers, nil
 }
 
-func (a *AdminClientDriver) SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx context.Context, activationPeriod, migrationDuration *big.Int, chainID string) ([]byte, error) {
+func (a *AdminClientDriver) SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx context.Context, activationPeriod, migrationDuration *big.Int) ([]byte, error) {
 	// return a.Client.SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx, activationHeight, migrationDuration, chainID)
 	activationHeight := activationPeriod.Uint64()
 	dur := migrationDuration.Uint64()
@@ -96,7 +96,6 @@ func (a *AdminClientDriver) SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx context.Context, activat
 	res := migrations.MigrationDeclaration{
 		ActivationPeriod: activationHeight,
 		Duration:         dur,
-		ChainID:          chainID,
 		Timestamp:        time.Now().String(),
 	}
 	proposalBts, err := res.MarshalBinary()
diff --git a/test/integration/kwild_test.go b/test/integration/kwild_test.go
index 07b2febcc..d6449f5f5 100644
--- a/test/integration/kwild_test.go
+++ b/test/integration/kwild_test.go
@@ -979,7 +979,7 @@ func TestLongRunningNetworkMigrations(t *testing.T) {
 		newDir := helper.MigrationSetup(ctx)
 
 		// Trigger a network migration request
-		specifications.SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx, t, node0Driver, integration.MigrationChainID)
+		specifications.SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx, t, node0Driver)
 
 		// node1 approves the migration and verifies that the migration is still pending
 		specifications.ApproveMigration(ctx, t, node1Driver, true)
diff --git a/test/specifications/dsl.go b/test/specifications/dsl.go
index 5945b0460..a9b8bf79a 100644
--- a/test/specifications/dsl.go
+++ b/test/specifications/dsl.go
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ type PeersDsl interface {
 
 type MigrationOpsDsl interface {
 	TxQueryDsl
-	SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx context.Context, activationHeight *big.Int, migrationDuration *big.Int, chainID string) ([]byte, error)
+	SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx context.Context, activationHeight *big.Int, migrationDuration *big.Int) ([]byte, error)
 	ApproveMigration(ctx context.Context, migrationResolutionID *types.UUID) ([]byte, error)
 	ListMigrations(ctx context.Context) ([]*types.Migration, error)
 	GenesisState(ctx context.Context) (*types.MigrationMetadata, error)
diff --git a/test/specifications/migration.go b/test/specifications/migration.go
index 13bf96ac1..22cfab918 100644
--- a/test/specifications/migration.go
+++ b/test/specifications/migration.go
@@ -16,11 +16,11 @@ import (
 )
 
 // Trigger migration
-func SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx context.Context, t *testing.T, netops MigrationOpsDsl, chainID string) {
+func SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx context.Context, t *testing.T, netops MigrationOpsDsl) {
 	t.Log("Executing migration trigger specification")
 
 	// Trigger migration"
-	txHash, err := netops.SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx, big.NewInt(1), big.NewInt(100), chainID)
+	txHash, err := netops.SubmitMigrationProposal(ctx, big.NewInt(1), big.NewInt(100))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Ensure that the Tx is mined.