diff --git a/src/blockchain_db/blockchain_db.cpp b/src/blockchain_db/blockchain_db.cpp
index 41fee5dc7..9d865d4de 100644
--- a/src/blockchain_db/blockchain_db.cpp
+++ b/src/blockchain_db/blockchain_db.cpp
@@ -56,6 +56,30 @@ void BlockchainDB::add_transaction(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const transacti
     tx_hash = *tx_hash_ptr;
   }
 
+  for (const txin_v& tx_input : tx.vin)
+  {
+    if (tx_input.type() == typeid(txin_to_key))
+    {
+      add_spent_key(boost::get<txin_to_key>(tx_input).k_image);
+    }
+    else if (tx_input.type() == typeid(txin_gen))
+    {
+      /* nothing to do here */
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      LOG_PRINT_L1("Unsupported input type, removing key images and aborting transaction addition");
+      for (const txin_v& tx_input : tx.vin)
+      {
+        if (tx_input.type() == typeid(txin_to_key))
+        {
+          remove_spent_key(boost::get<txin_to_key>(tx_input).k_image);
+        }
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+  }
+
   add_transaction_data(blk_hash, tx, tx_hash);
 
   // iterate tx.vout using indices instead of C++11 foreach syntax because
@@ -64,14 +88,6 @@ void BlockchainDB::add_transaction(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const transacti
   {
     add_output(tx_hash, tx.vout[i], i, tx.unlock_time);
   }
-
-  for (const txin_v& tx_input : tx.vin)
-  {
-    if (tx_input.type() == typeid(txin_to_key))
-    {
-      add_spent_key(boost::get<txin_to_key>(tx_input).k_image);
-    }
-  }
 }
 
 uint64_t BlockchainDB::add_block( const block& blk
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.cpp b/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.cpp
index 648b77b2f..efac2d3d9 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.cpp
+++ b/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.cpp
@@ -81,6 +81,8 @@ m_is_blockchain_storing(false), m_enforce_dns_checkpoints(false), m_max_prepare_
 template<class archive_t>
 void Blockchain::serialize(archive_t & ar, const unsigned int version)
 {
+    key_images_container dummy_key_images_container;
+
     LOG_PRINT_L3("Blockchain::" << __func__);
     if(version < 11)
         return;
@@ -88,7 +90,7 @@ void Blockchain::serialize(archive_t & ar, const unsigned int version)
     ar & m_blocks;
     ar & m_blocks_index;
     ar & m_transactions;
-    ar & m_spent_keys;
+    ar & dummy_key_images_container;
     ar & m_alternative_chains;
     ar & m_outputs;
     ar & m_invalid_blocks;
@@ -96,7 +98,7 @@ void Blockchain::serialize(archive_t & ar, const unsigned int version)
     /*serialization bug workaround*/
     if(version > 11)
     {
-        uint64_t total_check_count = m_db->height() + m_blocks_index.size() + m_transactions.size() + m_spent_keys.size() + m_alternative_chains.size() + m_outputs.size() + m_invalid_blocks.size() + m_current_block_cumul_sz_limit;
+        uint64_t total_check_count = m_db->height() + m_blocks_index.size() + m_transactions.size() + dummy_key_images_container.size() + m_alternative_chains.size() + m_outputs.size() + m_invalid_blocks.size() + m_current_block_cumul_sz_limit;
         if(archive_t::is_saving::value)
         {
             ar & total_check_count;
@@ -109,14 +111,14 @@ void Blockchain::serialize(archive_t & ar, const unsigned int version)
             {
                 LOG_ERROR("Blockchain storage data corruption detected. total_count loaded from file = " << total_check_count_loaded << ", expected = " << total_check_count);
 
-                LOG_PRINT_L0("Blockchain storage:" << std::endl << "m_blocks: " << m_db->height() << std::endl << "m_blocks_index: " << m_blocks_index.size() << std::endl << "m_transactions: " << m_transactions.size() << std::endl << "m_spent_keys: " << m_spent_keys.size() << std::endl << "m_alternative_chains: " << m_alternative_chains.size() << std::endl << "m_outputs: " << m_outputs.size() << std::endl << "m_invalid_blocks: " << m_invalid_blocks.size() << std::endl << "m_current_block_cumul_sz_limit: " << m_current_block_cumul_sz_limit);
+                LOG_PRINT_L0("Blockchain storage:" << std::endl << "m_blocks: " << m_db->height() << std::endl << "m_blocks_index: " << m_blocks_index.size() << std::endl << "m_transactions: " << m_transactions.size() << std::endl << "dummy_key_images_container: " << dummy_key_images_container.size() << std::endl << "m_alternative_chains: " << m_alternative_chains.size() << std::endl << "m_outputs: " << m_outputs.size() << std::endl << "m_invalid_blocks: " << m_invalid_blocks.size() << std::endl << "m_current_block_cumul_sz_limit: " << m_current_block_cumul_sz_limit);
 
                 throw std::runtime_error("Blockchain data corruption");
             }
         }
     }
 
-    LOG_PRINT_L3("Blockchain storage:" << std::endl << "m_blocks: " << m_db->height() << std::endl << "m_blocks_index: " << m_blocks_index.size() << std::endl << "m_transactions: " << m_transactions.size() << std::endl << "m_spent_keys: " << m_spent_keys.size() << std::endl << "m_alternative_chains: " << m_alternative_chains.size() << std::endl << "m_outputs: " << m_outputs.size() << std::endl << "m_invalid_blocks: " << m_invalid_blocks.size() << std::endl << "m_current_block_cumul_sz_limit: " << m_current_block_cumul_sz_limit);
+    LOG_PRINT_L3("Blockchain storage:" << std::endl << "m_blocks: " << m_db->height() << std::endl << "m_blocks_index: " << m_blocks_index.size() << std::endl << "m_transactions: " << m_transactions.size() << std::endl << "dummy_key_images_container: " << dummy_key_images_container.size() << std::endl << "m_alternative_chains: " << m_alternative_chains.size() << std::endl << "m_outputs: " << m_outputs.size() << std::endl << "m_invalid_blocks: " << m_invalid_blocks.size() << std::endl << "m_current_block_cumul_sz_limit: " << m_current_block_cumul_sz_limit);
 }
 //------------------------------------------------------------------
 bool Blockchain::have_tx(const crypto::hash &id) const
@@ -470,7 +472,6 @@ bool Blockchain::reset_and_set_genesis_block(const block& b)
     LOG_PRINT_L3("Blockchain::" << __func__);
     CRITICAL_REGION_LOCAL(m_blockchain_lock);
     m_transactions.clear();
-    m_spent_keys.clear();
     m_blocks.clear();
     m_blocks_index.clear();
     m_alternative_chains.clear();
@@ -482,57 +483,6 @@ bool Blockchain::reset_and_set_genesis_block(const block& b)
     return bvc.m_added_to_main_chain && !bvc.m_verifivation_failed;
 }
 //------------------------------------------------------------------
-//TODO: move to BlockchainDB subclass
-bool Blockchain::purge_transaction_keyimages_from_blockchain(const transaction& tx, bool strict_check)
-{
-    LOG_PRINT_L3("Blockchain::" << __func__);
-    CRITICAL_REGION_LOCAL(m_blockchain_lock);
-    struct purge_transaction_visitor: public boost::static_visitor<bool>
-    {
-        key_images_container& m_spent_keys;
-        bool m_strict_check;
-        purge_transaction_visitor(key_images_container& spent_keys, bool strict_check) :
-            m_spent_keys(spent_keys), m_strict_check(strict_check)
-        {
-        }
-
-        bool operator()(const txin_to_key& inp) const
-        {
-            //const crypto::key_image& ki = inp.k_image;
-            auto r = m_spent_keys.find(inp.k_image);
-            if(r != m_spent_keys.end())
-            {
-                m_spent_keys.erase(r);
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(!m_strict_check, false, "purge_block_data_from_blockchain: key image in transaction not found");
-            }
-            return true;
-        }
-        bool operator()(const txin_gen& inp) const
-        {
-            return true;
-        }
-        bool operator()(const txin_to_script& tx) const
-        {
-            return false;
-        }
-
-        bool operator()(const txin_to_scripthash& tx) const
-        {
-            return false;
-        }
-    };
-
-    BOOST_FOREACH(const txin_v& in, tx.vin)
-    {
-        bool r = boost::apply_visitor(purge_transaction_visitor(m_spent_keys, strict_check), in);
-        CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(!strict_check || r, false, "failed to process purge_transaction_visitor");
-    }
-    return true;
-}
-//------------------------------------------------------------------
 crypto::hash Blockchain::get_tail_id(uint64_t& height) const
 {
     LOG_PRINT_L3("Blockchain::" << __func__);
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.h b/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.h
index 1c6f58dbf..57763f6ca 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.h
+++ b/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.h
@@ -185,7 +185,6 @@ namespace cryptonote
     blocks_container m_blocks;               // height  -> block_extended_info
     blocks_by_id_index m_blocks_index;       // crypto::hash -> height
     transactions_container m_transactions;
-    key_images_container m_spent_keys;
     size_t m_current_block_cumul_sz_limit;
 
     std::unordered_map<crypto::hash, std::unordered_map<crypto::key_image, std::vector<output_data_t>>> m_scan_table;
@@ -233,8 +232,6 @@ namespace cryptonote
 
     bool switch_to_alternative_blockchain(std::list<blocks_ext_by_hash::iterator>& alt_chain, bool discard_disconnected_chain);
     block pop_block_from_blockchain();
-    bool purge_transaction_from_blockchain(const crypto::hash& tx_id);
-    bool purge_transaction_keyimages_from_blockchain(const transaction& tx, bool strict_check);
 
     bool handle_block_to_main_chain(const block& bl, block_verification_context& bvc);
     bool handle_block_to_main_chain(const block& bl, const crypto::hash& id, block_verification_context& bvc);
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.cpp b/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.cpp
index 31e46b534..4d90eec1e 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.cpp
+++ b/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.cpp
@@ -515,6 +515,21 @@ namespace cryptonote
     return true;
   }
   //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  bool core::is_key_image_spent(const crypto::key_image &key_image)
+  {
+    return m_blockchain_storage.have_tx_keyimg_as_spent(key_image);
+  }
+  //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  bool core::are_key_images_spent(const std::vector<crypto::key_image>& key_im, std::vector<bool> &spent)
+  {
+    spent.clear();
+    BOOST_FOREACH(auto& ki, key_im)
+    {
+      spent.push_back(m_blockchain_storage.have_tx_keyimg_as_spent(ki));
+    }
+    return true;
+  }
+  //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   bool core::check_tx_inputs_keyimages_diff(const transaction& tx)
   {
     std::unordered_set<crypto::key_image> ki;
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.h b/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.h
index de953da07..d700b3b47 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.h
+++ b/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.h
@@ -145,6 +145,9 @@ namespace cryptonote
 
      void stop();
 
+     bool is_key_image_spent(const crypto::key_image& key_im);
+     bool are_key_images_spent(const std::vector<crypto::key_image>& key_im, std::vector<bool> &spent);
+
    private:
      bool add_new_tx(const transaction& tx, const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const crypto::hash& tx_prefix_hash, size_t blob_size, tx_verification_context& tvc, bool keeped_by_block);
      bool add_new_tx(const transaction& tx, tx_verification_context& tvc, bool keeped_by_block);
@@ -157,8 +160,6 @@ namespace cryptonote
      bool check_tx_semantic(const transaction& tx, bool keeped_by_block);
      //check if tx already in memory pool or in main blockchain
 
-     bool is_key_image_spent(const crypto::key_image& key_im);
-
      bool check_tx_ring_signature(const txin_to_key& tx, const crypto::hash& tx_prefix_hash, const std::vector<crypto::signature>& sig);
      bool is_tx_spendtime_unlocked(uint64_t unlock_time);
      bool update_miner_block_template();
diff --git a/src/daemon/command_parser_executor.cpp b/src/daemon/command_parser_executor.cpp
index 58cb475ab..e6666c443 100644
--- a/src/daemon/command_parser_executor.cpp
+++ b/src/daemon/command_parser_executor.cpp
@@ -180,6 +180,26 @@ bool t_command_parser_executor::print_transaction(const std::vector<std::string>
   return true;
 }
 
+bool t_command_parser_executor::is_key_image_spent(const std::vector<std::string>& args)
+{
+  if (args.empty())
+  {
+    std::cout << "expected: is_key_image_spent <key_image>" << std::endl;
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  const std::string& str = args.front();
+  crypto::key_image ki;
+  crypto::hash hash;
+  if (parse_hash256(str, hash))
+  {
+    memcpy(&ki, &hash, sizeof(ki));
+    m_executor.is_key_image_spent(ki);
+  }
+
+  return true;
+}
+
 bool t_command_parser_executor::print_transaction_pool_long(const std::vector<std::string>& args)
 {
   if (!args.empty()) return false;
diff --git a/src/daemon/command_parser_executor.h b/src/daemon/command_parser_executor.h
index d1e299877..ddc207cfe 100644
--- a/src/daemon/command_parser_executor.h
+++ b/src/daemon/command_parser_executor.h
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@ public:
 
   bool print_transaction(const std::vector<std::string>& args);
 
+  bool is_key_image_spent(const std::vector<std::string>& args);
+
   bool print_transaction_pool_long(const std::vector<std::string>& args);
 
   bool print_transaction_pool_short(const std::vector<std::string>& args);
diff --git a/src/daemon/command_server.cpp b/src/daemon/command_server.cpp
index 65bceff75..047b52c3e 100644
--- a/src/daemon/command_server.cpp
+++ b/src/daemon/command_server.cpp
@@ -84,6 +84,11 @@ t_command_server::t_command_server(
     , std::bind(&t_command_parser_executor::print_transaction, &m_parser, p::_1)
     , "Print transaction, print_tx <transaction_hash>"
     );
+  m_command_lookup.set_handler(
+      "is_key_image_spent"
+    , std::bind(&t_command_parser_executor::is_key_image_spent, &m_parser, p::_1)
+    , "Prints whether a given key image is in the spent key images set, is_key_image_spent <key_image>"
+    );
   m_command_lookup.set_handler(
       "start_mining"
     , std::bind(&t_command_parser_executor::start_mining, &m_parser, p::_1)
diff --git a/src/daemon/rpc_command_executor.cpp b/src/daemon/rpc_command_executor.cpp
index 2f3a6b4d5..62f254c76 100644
--- a/src/daemon/rpc_command_executor.cpp
+++ b/src/daemon/rpc_command_executor.cpp
@@ -520,6 +520,42 @@ bool t_rpc_command_executor::print_transaction(crypto::hash transaction_hash) {
   return true;
 }
 
+bool t_rpc_command_executor::is_key_image_spent(const crypto::key_image &ki) {
+  cryptonote::COMMAND_RPC_IS_KEY_IMAGE_SPENT::request req;
+  cryptonote::COMMAND_RPC_IS_KEY_IMAGE_SPENT::response res;
+
+  std::string fail_message = "Problem checkking key image";
+
+  req.key_images.push_back(epee::string_tools::pod_to_hex(ki));
+  if (m_is_rpc)
+  {
+    if (!m_rpc_client->rpc_request(req, res, "/is_key_image_spent", fail_message.c_str()))
+    {
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+  else
+  {
+    if (!m_rpc_server->on_is_key_image_spent(req, res))
+    {
+      tools::fail_msg_writer() << fail_message.c_str();
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (1 == res.spent_status.size())
+  {
+    // first as hex
+    tools::success_msg_writer() << ki << ": " << (res.spent_status.front() ? "spent" : "unspent");
+  }
+  else
+  {
+    tools::fail_msg_writer() << "key image status could not be determined" << std::endl;
+  }
+
+  return true;
+}
+
 bool t_rpc_command_executor::print_transaction_pool_long() {
   cryptonote::COMMAND_RPC_GET_TRANSACTION_POOL::request req;
   cryptonote::COMMAND_RPC_GET_TRANSACTION_POOL::response res;
diff --git a/src/daemon/rpc_command_executor.h b/src/daemon/rpc_command_executor.h
index 5e332f3fc..b40a67bf8 100644
--- a/src/daemon/rpc_command_executor.h
+++ b/src/daemon/rpc_command_executor.h
@@ -87,6 +87,8 @@ public:
 
   bool print_transaction(crypto::hash transaction_hash);
 
+  bool is_key_image_spent(const crypto::key_image &ki);
+
   bool print_transaction_pool_long();
 
   bool print_transaction_pool_short();
diff --git a/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.cpp b/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.cpp
index 24c7d242f..0c8384306 100644
--- a/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.cpp
+++ b/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.cpp
@@ -241,6 +241,35 @@ namespace cryptonote
     return true;
   }
   //------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+  bool core_rpc_server::on_is_key_image_spent(const COMMAND_RPC_IS_KEY_IMAGE_SPENT::request& req, COMMAND_RPC_IS_KEY_IMAGE_SPENT::response& res)
+  {
+    CHECK_CORE_BUSY();
+    std::vector<crypto::key_image> key_images;
+    BOOST_FOREACH(const auto& ki_hex_str, req.key_images)
+    {
+      blobdata b;
+      if(!string_tools::parse_hexstr_to_binbuff(ki_hex_str, b))
+      {
+        res.status = "Failed to parse hex representation of key image";
+        return true;
+      }
+      if(b.size() != sizeof(crypto::key_image))
+      {
+        res.status = "Failed, size of data mismatch";
+      }
+      key_images.push_back(*reinterpret_cast<const crypto::key_image*>(b.data()));
+    }
+    bool r = m_core.are_key_images_spent(key_images, res.spent_status);
+    if(!r)
+    {
+      res.status = "Failed";
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    res.status = CORE_RPC_STATUS_OK;
+    return true;
+  }
+  //------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   bool core_rpc_server::on_send_raw_tx(const COMMAND_RPC_SEND_RAW_TX::request& req, COMMAND_RPC_SEND_RAW_TX::response& res)
   {
     CHECK_CORE_READY();
diff --git a/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.h b/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.h
index 6152dea03..3213e6b1c 100644
--- a/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.h
+++ b/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.h
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
       MAP_URI_AUTO_BIN2("/get_o_indexes.bin", on_get_indexes, COMMAND_RPC_GET_TX_GLOBAL_OUTPUTS_INDEXES)      
       MAP_URI_AUTO_BIN2("/getrandom_outs.bin", on_get_random_outs, COMMAND_RPC_GET_RANDOM_OUTPUTS_FOR_AMOUNTS)      
       MAP_URI_AUTO_JON2("/gettransactions", on_get_transactions, COMMAND_RPC_GET_TRANSACTIONS)
+      MAP_URI_AUTO_JON2("/is_key_image_spent", on_is_key_image_spent, COMMAND_RPC_IS_KEY_IMAGE_SPENT)
       MAP_URI_AUTO_JON2("/sendrawtransaction", on_send_raw_tx, COMMAND_RPC_SEND_RAW_TX)
       MAP_URI_AUTO_JON2("/start_mining", on_start_mining, COMMAND_RPC_START_MINING)
       MAP_URI_AUTO_JON2("/stop_mining", on_stop_mining, COMMAND_RPC_STOP_MINING)
@@ -108,6 +109,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
     bool on_get_height(const COMMAND_RPC_GET_HEIGHT::request& req, COMMAND_RPC_GET_HEIGHT::response& res);
     bool on_get_blocks(const COMMAND_RPC_GET_BLOCKS_FAST::request& req, COMMAND_RPC_GET_BLOCKS_FAST::response& res);
     bool on_get_transactions(const COMMAND_RPC_GET_TRANSACTIONS::request& req, COMMAND_RPC_GET_TRANSACTIONS::response& res);
+    bool on_is_key_image_spent(const COMMAND_RPC_IS_KEY_IMAGE_SPENT::request& req, COMMAND_RPC_IS_KEY_IMAGE_SPENT::response& res);
     bool on_get_indexes(const COMMAND_RPC_GET_TX_GLOBAL_OUTPUTS_INDEXES::request& req, COMMAND_RPC_GET_TX_GLOBAL_OUTPUTS_INDEXES::response& res);
     bool on_send_raw_tx(const COMMAND_RPC_SEND_RAW_TX::request& req, COMMAND_RPC_SEND_RAW_TX::response& res);
     bool on_start_mining(const COMMAND_RPC_START_MINING::request& req, COMMAND_RPC_START_MINING::response& res);
diff --git a/src/rpc/core_rpc_server_commands_defs.h b/src/rpc/core_rpc_server_commands_defs.h
index b6a2edd0b..beb7b81e6 100644
--- a/src/rpc/core_rpc_server_commands_defs.h
+++ b/src/rpc/core_rpc_server_commands_defs.h
@@ -116,6 +116,31 @@ namespace cryptonote
     };
   };
 
+  //-----------------------------------------------
+  struct COMMAND_RPC_IS_KEY_IMAGE_SPENT
+  {
+    struct request
+    {
+      std::vector<std::string> key_images;
+
+      BEGIN_KV_SERIALIZE_MAP()
+        KV_SERIALIZE(key_images)
+      END_KV_SERIALIZE_MAP()
+    };
+
+
+    struct response
+    {
+      std::vector<bool> spent_status;
+      std::string status;
+
+      BEGIN_KV_SERIALIZE_MAP()
+        KV_SERIALIZE(spent_status)
+        KV_SERIALIZE(status)
+      END_KV_SERIALIZE_MAP()
+    };
+  };
+
   //-----------------------------------------------
   struct COMMAND_RPC_GET_TX_GLOBAL_OUTPUTS_INDEXES
   {