diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 5e1e90db8dc4..f6aec95cd605 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -70,8 +70,10 @@ Ref: https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/
 * [#12886](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/12886) Amortize cost of processing cache KV store
 * [#12953](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/12953) Change the default priority mechanism to be based on gas price.
 * [#13048](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/13048) Add handling of AccountNumberStoreKeyPrefix to the x/auth simulation decoder.
+* [#13101](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/13101) Remove weights from `simapp/params` and `testutil/sims`. They are now in their respective modules.
 * (simapp) [#13107](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/13107) Call `SetIAVLCacheSize` with the configured value in simapp.
 
+
 ### State Machine Breaking
 
 * (x/distribution) [#12852](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/12852) Deprecate `CommunityPoolSpendProposal`. Please execute a `MsgCommunityPoolSpend` message via the new v1 `x/gov` module instead. This message can be used to directly fund the `x/gov` module account.
diff --git a/simapp/params/weights.go b/simapp/params/weights.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 59e092969ed6..000000000000
--- a/simapp/params/weights.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-package params
-
-// Default simulation operation weights for messages and gov proposals
-const (
-	DefaultWeightMsgSend                      int = 100
-	DefaultWeightMsgMultiSend                 int = 10
-	DefaultWeightMsgCreateValidator           int = 100
-	DefaultWeightMsgEditValidator             int = 5
-	DefaultWeightMsgDelegate                  int = 100
-	DefaultWeightMsgUndelegate                int = 100
-	DefaultWeightMsgBeginRedelegate           int = 100
-	DefaultWeightMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation int = 100
-)
diff --git a/testutil/sims/weights.go b/testutil/sims/weights.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 18403f95c62d..000000000000
--- a/testutil/sims/weights.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,26 +0,0 @@
-package sims
-
-// Default simulation operation weights for messages and gov proposals
-const (
-	DefaultWeightMsgSend                        int = 100
-	DefaultWeightMsgMultiSend                   int = 10
-	DefaultWeightMsgSetWithdrawAddress          int = 50
-	DefaultWeightMsgWithdrawDelegationReward    int = 50
-	DefaultWeightMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission int = 50
-	DefaultWeightMsgFundCommunityPool           int = 50
-	DefaultWeightMsgUnjail                      int = 100
-	DefaultWeightMsgCreateValidator             int = 100
-	DefaultWeightMsgEditValidator               int = 5
-	DefaultWeightMsgDelegate                    int = 100
-	DefaultWeightMsgUndelegate                  int = 100
-	DefaultWeightMsgBeginRedelegate             int = 100
-	DefaultWeightMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation   int = 100
-
-	DefaultWeightCommunitySpendProposal int = 5
-	DefaultWeightTextProposal           int = 5
-	DefaultWeightParamChangeProposal    int = 5
-
-	// feegrant
-	DefaultWeightGrantAllowance  int = 100
-	DefaultWeightRevokeAllowance int = 100
-)
diff --git a/x/distribution/simulation/operations.go b/x/distribution/simulation/operations.go
index ce768c6a201c..d4c8caa61ebe 100644
--- a/x/distribution/simulation/operations.go
+++ b/x/distribution/simulation/operations.go
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
 	codectypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec/types"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil"
-	simtestutil "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil/sims"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
 	simtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/simulation"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/tx"
@@ -26,6 +25,11 @@ const (
 	OpWeightMsgWithdrawDelegationReward    = "op_weight_msg_withdraw_delegation_reward"
 	OpWeightMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission = "op_weight_msg_withdraw_validator_commission"
 	OpWeightMsgFundCommunityPool           = "op_weight_msg_fund_community_pool"
+
+	DefaultWeightMsgSetWithdrawAddress          int = 50
+	DefaultWeightMsgWithdrawDelegationReward    int = 50
+	DefaultWeightMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission int = 50
+	DefaultWeightMsgFundCommunityPool           int = 50
 )
 
 // WeightedOperations returns all the operations from the module with their respective weights
@@ -33,28 +37,28 @@ func WeightedOperations(appParams simtypes.AppParams, cdc codec.JSONCodec, ak ty
 	var weightMsgSetWithdrawAddress int
 	appParams.GetOrGenerate(cdc, OpWeightMsgSetWithdrawAddress, &weightMsgSetWithdrawAddress, nil,
 		func(_ *rand.Rand) {
-			weightMsgSetWithdrawAddress = simtestutil.DefaultWeightMsgSetWithdrawAddress
+			weightMsgSetWithdrawAddress = DefaultWeightMsgSetWithdrawAddress
 		},
 	)
 
 	var weightMsgWithdrawDelegationReward int
 	appParams.GetOrGenerate(cdc, OpWeightMsgWithdrawDelegationReward, &weightMsgWithdrawDelegationReward, nil,
 		func(_ *rand.Rand) {
-			weightMsgWithdrawDelegationReward = simtestutil.DefaultWeightMsgWithdrawDelegationReward
+			weightMsgWithdrawDelegationReward = DefaultWeightMsgWithdrawDelegationReward
 		},
 	)
 
 	var weightMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission int
 	appParams.GetOrGenerate(cdc, OpWeightMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission, &weightMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission, nil,
 		func(_ *rand.Rand) {
-			weightMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission = simtestutil.DefaultWeightMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission
+			weightMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission = DefaultWeightMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission
 		},
 	)
 
 	var weightMsgFundCommunityPool int
 	appParams.GetOrGenerate(cdc, OpWeightMsgFundCommunityPool, &weightMsgFundCommunityPool, nil,
 		func(_ *rand.Rand) {
-			weightMsgFundCommunityPool = simtestutil.DefaultWeightMsgFundCommunityPool
+			weightMsgFundCommunityPool = DefaultWeightMsgFundCommunityPool
 		},
 	)
 
diff --git a/x/gov/simulation/operations.go b/x/gov/simulation/operations.go
index 9b101267ed57..4d6b5e6fd27a 100644
--- a/x/gov/simulation/operations.go
+++ b/x/gov/simulation/operations.go
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ const (
 	DefaultWeightMsgDeposit      = 100
 	DefaultWeightMsgVote         = 67
 	DefaultWeightMsgVoteWeighted = 33
+	DefaultWeightTextProposal    = 5
 )
 
 // WeightedOperations returns all the operations from the module with their respective weights
diff --git a/x/gov/simulation/proposals.go b/x/gov/simulation/proposals.go
index f2ed81a77c14..9a7bfdf21256 100644
--- a/x/gov/simulation/proposals.go
+++ b/x/gov/simulation/proposals.go
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package simulation
 import (
 	"math/rand"
 
-	simtestutil "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil/sims"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
 	simtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/simulation"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/gov/types/v1beta1"
@@ -18,7 +17,7 @@ func ProposalContents() []simtypes.WeightedProposalContent {
 	return []simtypes.WeightedProposalContent{
 		simulation.NewWeightedProposalContent(
 			OpWeightMsgDeposit,
-			simtestutil.DefaultWeightTextProposal,
+			DefaultWeightTextProposal,
 			SimulateTextProposalContent,
 		),
 	}
diff --git a/x/gov/simulation/proposals_test.go b/x/gov/simulation/proposals_test.go
index 503bfcc1ed87..f3c4b61ff626 100644
--- a/x/gov/simulation/proposals_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/simulation/proposals_test.go
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 	tmproto "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/proto/tendermint/types"
 
-	simtestutil "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil/sims"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
 	simtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/simulation"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/gov/simulation"
@@ -29,7 +28,7 @@ func TestProposalContents(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// tests w0 interface:
 	require.Equal(t, simulation.OpWeightMsgDeposit, w0.AppParamsKey())
-	require.Equal(t, simtestutil.DefaultWeightTextProposal, w0.DefaultWeight())
+	require.Equal(t, simulation.DefaultWeightTextProposal, w0.DefaultWeight())
 
 	content := w0.ContentSimulatorFn()(r, ctx, accounts)
 
diff --git a/x/params/simulation/proposals.go b/x/params/simulation/proposals.go
index 7bd131e207f6..551f940754be 100644
--- a/x/params/simulation/proposals.go
+++ b/x/params/simulation/proposals.go
@@ -1,20 +1,22 @@
 package simulation
 
 import (
-	simtestutil "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil/sims"
 	simtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/simulation"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/simulation"
 )
 
-// OpWeightSubmitParamChangeProposal app params key for param change proposal
-const OpWeightSubmitParamChangeProposal = "op_weight_submit_param_change_proposal"
+const (
+	// OpWeightSubmitParamChangeProposal app params key for param change proposal
+	OpWeightSubmitParamChangeProposal = "op_weight_submit_param_change_proposal"
+	DefaultWeightParamChangeProposal  = 5
+)
 
 // ProposalContents defines the module weighted proposals' contents
 func ProposalContents(paramChanges []simtypes.ParamChange) []simtypes.WeightedProposalContent {
 	return []simtypes.WeightedProposalContent{
 		simulation.NewWeightedProposalContent(
 			OpWeightSubmitParamChangeProposal,
-			simtestutil.DefaultWeightParamChangeProposal,
+			DefaultWeightParamChangeProposal,
 			SimulateParamChangeProposalContent(paramChanges),
 		),
 	}
diff --git a/x/params/simulation/proposals_test.go b/x/params/simulation/proposals_test.go
index a38b8e2cec50..1ae2b413259d 100644
--- a/x/params/simulation/proposals_test.go
+++ b/x/params/simulation/proposals_test.go
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 	tmproto "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/proto/tendermint/types"
 
-	simtestutil "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil/sims"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
 	simtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/simulation"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/params/simulation"
@@ -32,7 +31,7 @@ func TestProposalContents(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// tests w0 interface:
 	require.Equal(t, simulation.OpWeightSubmitParamChangeProposal, w0.AppParamsKey())
-	require.Equal(t, simtestutil.DefaultWeightParamChangeProposal, w0.DefaultWeight())
+	require.Equal(t, simulation.DefaultWeightParamChangeProposal, w0.DefaultWeight())
 
 	content := w0.ContentSimulatorFn()(r, ctx, accounts)
 
diff --git a/x/simulation/operations_test.go b/x/simulation/operations_test.go
index a5177b0123c3..58a1180c817d 100644
--- a/x/simulation/operations_test.go
+++ b/x/simulation/operations_test.go
@@ -44,10 +44,10 @@ func (suite *SimTestSuite) TestWeightedOperations() {
 		opMsgRoute string
 		opMsgName  string
 	}{
-		{simtestutil.DefaultWeightMsgSetWithdrawAddress, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgSetWithdrawAddress},
-		{simtestutil.DefaultWeightMsgWithdrawDelegationReward, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgWithdrawDelegatorReward},
-		{simtestutil.DefaultWeightMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission},
-		{simtestutil.DefaultWeightMsgFundCommunityPool, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgFundCommunityPool},
+		{simulation.DefaultWeightMsgSetWithdrawAddress, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgSetWithdrawAddress},
+		{simulation.DefaultWeightMsgWithdrawDelegationReward, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgWithdrawDelegatorReward},
+		{simulation.DefaultWeightMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission},
+		{simulation.DefaultWeightMsgFundCommunityPool, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgFundCommunityPool},
 	}
 
 	for i, w := range weightesOps {
diff --git a/x/slashing/simulation/operations.go b/x/slashing/simulation/operations.go
index b65844a90041..939f28766fe5 100644
--- a/x/slashing/simulation/operations.go
+++ b/x/slashing/simulation/operations.go
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ import (
 //
 //nolint:gosec // these are not hardcoded credentials.
 const (
-	OpWeightMsgUnjail = "op_weight_msg_unjail"
+	OpWeightMsgUnjail      = "op_weight_msg_unjail"
+	DefaultWeightMsgUnjail = 100
 )
 
 // WeightedOperations returns all the operations from the module with their respective weights
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ func WeightedOperations(
 	var weightMsgUnjail int
 	appParams.GetOrGenerate(cdc, OpWeightMsgUnjail, &weightMsgUnjail, nil,
 		func(_ *rand.Rand) {
-			weightMsgUnjail = simtestutil.DefaultWeightMsgUnjail
+			weightMsgUnjail = DefaultWeightMsgUnjail
 		},
 	)
 
diff --git a/x/slashing/simulation/operations_test.go b/x/slashing/simulation/operations_test.go
index afd1f2bed70d..3651ed3e67cd 100644
--- a/x/slashing/simulation/operations_test.go
+++ b/x/slashing/simulation/operations_test.go
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ func (suite *SimTestSuite) TestWeightedOperations() {
 		weight     int
 		opMsgRoute string
 		opMsgName  string
-	}{{simtestutil.DefaultWeightMsgUnjail, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgUnjail}}
+	}{{simulation.DefaultWeightMsgUnjail, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgUnjail}}
 
 	weightesOps := simulation.WeightedOperations(appParams, suite.codec, suite.accountKeeper, suite.bankKeeper, suite.slashingKeeper, suite.stakingKeeper)
 	for i, w := range weightesOps {
diff --git a/x/staking/app_test.go b/x/staking/app_test.go
index b5425efa9829..639565d8bb22 100644
--- a/x/staking/app_test.go
+++ b/x/staking/app_test.go
@@ -3,44 +3,34 @@ package staking_test
 import (
 	"testing"
 
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
 	"cosmossdk.io/math"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil/sims"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/crypto/keys/ed25519"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/crypto/keys/secp256k1"
 
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
 	abci "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
 	tmproto "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/proto/tendermint/types"
 
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/simapp"
-	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
+	simtestutil "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil/sims"
 	moduletestutil "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/module/testutil"
 	authtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/types"
-	banktypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/bank/types"
+	bankKeeper "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/bank/keeper"
+	stakingKeeper "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/keeper"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/testutil"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/types"
 )
 
-func checkValidator(t *testing.T, app *simapp.SimApp, addr sdk.ValAddress, expFound bool) types.Validator {
-	ctxCheck := app.BaseApp.NewContext(true, tmproto.Header{})
-	validator, found := app.StakingKeeper.GetValidator(ctxCheck, addr)
-
-	require.Equal(t, expFound, found)
-	return validator
-}
-
-func checkDelegation(
-	t *testing.T, app *simapp.SimApp, delegatorAddr sdk.AccAddress,
-	validatorAddr sdk.ValAddress, expFound bool, expShares sdk.Dec,
-) {
-	ctxCheck := app.BaseApp.NewContext(true, tmproto.Header{})
-	delegation, found := app.StakingKeeper.GetDelegation(ctxCheck, delegatorAddr, validatorAddr)
-	if expFound {
-		require.True(t, found)
-		require.True(sdk.DecEq(t, expShares, delegation.Shares))
-
-		return
-	}
+var (
+	priv1 = secp256k1.GenPrivKey()
+	addr1 = sdk.AccAddress(priv1.PubKey().Address())
+	priv2 = secp256k1.GenPrivKey()
+	addr2 = sdk.AccAddress(priv2.PubKey().Address())
 
-	require.False(t, found)
-}
+	valKey          = ed25519.GenPrivKey()
+	commissionRates = types.NewCommissionRates(math.LegacyZeroDec(), math.LegacyZeroDec(), math.LegacyZeroDec())
+)
 
 func TestStakingMsgs(t *testing.T) {
 	genTokens := sdk.TokensFromConsensusPower(42, sdk.DefaultPowerReduction)
@@ -50,21 +40,25 @@ func TestStakingMsgs(t *testing.T) {
 
 	acc1 := &authtypes.BaseAccount{Address: addr1.String()}
 	acc2 := &authtypes.BaseAccount{Address: addr2.String()}
-	accs := authtypes.GenesisAccounts{acc1, acc2}
-	balances := []banktypes.Balance{
-		{
-			Address: addr1.String(),
-			Coins:   sdk.Coins{genCoin},
-		},
-		{
-			Address: addr2.String(),
-			Coins:   sdk.Coins{genCoin},
-		},
+	accs := []simtestutil.GenesisAccount{
+		{GenesisAccount: acc1, Coins: sdk.Coins{genCoin}},
+		{GenesisAccount: acc2, Coins: sdk.Coins{genCoin}},
 	}
 
-	app := simapp.SetupWithGenesisAccounts(t, accs, balances...)
-	simapp.CheckBalance(t, app, addr1, sdk.Coins{genCoin})
-	simapp.CheckBalance(t, app, addr2, sdk.Coins{genCoin})
+	var (
+		bankKeeper    bankKeeper.Keeper
+		stakingKeeper *stakingKeeper.Keeper
+	)
+
+	startupCfg := simtestutil.DefaultStartUpConfig()
+	startupCfg.GenesisAccounts = accs
+
+	app, err := simtestutil.SetupWithConfiguration(testutil.AppConfig, startupCfg, &bankKeeper, &stakingKeeper)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	ctxCheck := app.BaseApp.NewContext(true, tmproto.Header{})
+
+	require.True(t, sdk.Coins{genCoin}.IsEqual(bankKeeper.GetAllBalances(ctxCheck, addr1)))
+	require.True(t, sdk.Coins{genCoin}.IsEqual(bankKeeper.GetAllBalances(ctxCheck, addr2)))
 
 	// create validator
 	description := types.NewDescription("foo_moniker", "", "", "", "")
@@ -75,14 +69,15 @@ func TestStakingMsgs(t *testing.T) {
 
 	header := tmproto.Header{Height: app.LastBlockHeight() + 1}
 	txConfig := moduletestutil.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig
-	_, _, err = sims.SignCheckDeliver(t, txConfig, app.BaseApp, header, []sdk.Msg{createValidatorMsg}, "", []uint64{0}, []uint64{0}, true, true, priv1)
+	_, _, err = simtestutil.SignCheckDeliver(t, txConfig, app.BaseApp, header, []sdk.Msg{createValidatorMsg}, "", []uint64{0}, []uint64{0}, true, true, priv1)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	simapp.CheckBalance(t, app, addr1, sdk.Coins{genCoin.Sub(bondCoin)})
+	require.True(t, sdk.Coins{genCoin.Sub(bondCoin)}.IsEqual(bankKeeper.GetAllBalances(ctxCheck, addr1)))
 
 	header = tmproto.Header{Height: app.LastBlockHeight() + 1}
 	app.BeginBlock(abci.RequestBeginBlock{Header: header})
-
-	validator := checkValidator(t, app, sdk.ValAddress(addr1), true)
+	ctxCheck = app.BaseApp.NewContext(true, tmproto.Header{})
+	validator, found := stakingKeeper.GetValidator(ctxCheck, sdk.ValAddress(addr1))
+	require.True(t, found)
 	require.Equal(t, sdk.ValAddress(addr1).String(), validator.OperatorAddress)
 	require.Equal(t, types.Bonded, validator.Status)
 	require.True(math.IntEq(t, bondTokens, validator.BondedTokens()))
@@ -95,32 +90,38 @@ func TestStakingMsgs(t *testing.T) {
 	editValidatorMsg := types.NewMsgEditValidator(sdk.ValAddress(addr1), description, nil, nil)
 
 	header = tmproto.Header{Height: app.LastBlockHeight() + 1}
-	_, _, err = sims.SignCheckDeliver(t, txConfig, app.BaseApp, header, []sdk.Msg{editValidatorMsg}, "", []uint64{0}, []uint64{1}, true, true, priv1)
+	_, _, err = simtestutil.SignCheckDeliver(t, txConfig, app.BaseApp, header, []sdk.Msg{editValidatorMsg}, "", []uint64{0}, []uint64{1}, true, true, priv1)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	validator = checkValidator(t, app, sdk.ValAddress(addr1), true)
+	ctxCheck = app.BaseApp.NewContext(true, tmproto.Header{})
+	validator, found = stakingKeeper.GetValidator(ctxCheck, sdk.ValAddress(addr1))
+	require.True(t, found)
 	require.Equal(t, description, validator.Description)
 
 	// delegate
-	simapp.CheckBalance(t, app, addr2, sdk.Coins{genCoin})
+	require.True(t, sdk.Coins{genCoin}.IsEqual(bankKeeper.GetAllBalances(ctxCheck, addr2)))
 	delegateMsg := types.NewMsgDelegate(addr2, sdk.ValAddress(addr1), bondCoin)
 
 	header = tmproto.Header{Height: app.LastBlockHeight() + 1}
-	_, _, err = sims.SignCheckDeliver(t, txConfig, app.BaseApp, header, []sdk.Msg{delegateMsg}, "", []uint64{1}, []uint64{0}, true, true, priv2)
+	_, _, err = simtestutil.SignCheckDeliver(t, txConfig, app.BaseApp, header, []sdk.Msg{delegateMsg}, "", []uint64{1}, []uint64{0}, true, true, priv2)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	simapp.CheckBalance(t, app, addr2, sdk.Coins{genCoin.Sub(bondCoin)})
-	checkDelegation(t, app, addr2, sdk.ValAddress(addr1), true, sdk.NewDecFromInt(bondTokens))
+	ctxCheck = app.BaseApp.NewContext(true, tmproto.Header{})
+	require.True(t, sdk.Coins{genCoin.Sub(bondCoin)}.IsEqual(bankKeeper.GetAllBalances(ctxCheck, addr2)))
+	_, found = stakingKeeper.GetDelegation(ctxCheck, addr2, sdk.ValAddress(addr1))
+	require.True(t, found)
 
 	// begin unbonding
 	beginUnbondingMsg := types.NewMsgUndelegate(addr2, sdk.ValAddress(addr1), bondCoin)
 	header = tmproto.Header{Height: app.LastBlockHeight() + 1}
-	_, _, err = sims.SignCheckDeliver(t, txConfig, app.BaseApp, header, []sdk.Msg{beginUnbondingMsg}, "", []uint64{1}, []uint64{1}, true, true, priv2)
+	_, _, err = simtestutil.SignCheckDeliver(t, txConfig, app.BaseApp, header, []sdk.Msg{beginUnbondingMsg}, "", []uint64{1}, []uint64{1}, true, true, priv2)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// delegation should exist anymore
-	checkDelegation(t, app, addr2, sdk.ValAddress(addr1), false, sdk.Dec{})
+	ctxCheck = app.BaseApp.NewContext(true, tmproto.Header{})
+	_, found = stakingKeeper.GetDelegation(ctxCheck, addr2, sdk.ValAddress(addr1))
+	require.False(t, found)
 
 	// balance should be the same because bonding not yet complete
-	simapp.CheckBalance(t, app, addr2, sdk.Coins{genCoin.Sub(bondCoin)})
+	require.True(t, sdk.Coins{genCoin.Sub(bondCoin)}.IsEqual(bankKeeper.GetAllBalances(ctxCheck, addr2)))
 }
diff --git a/x/staking/common_test.go b/x/staking/common_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index ea29a6e24ae8..000000000000
--- a/x/staking/common_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,68 +0,0 @@
-package staking_test
-
-import (
-	"math/big"
-	"testing"
-
-	"cosmossdk.io/math"
-	authtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/types"
-	govtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/gov/types"
-
-	tmproto "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/proto/tendermint/types"
-
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/crypto/keys/ed25519"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/crypto/keys/secp256k1"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/simapp"
-	simtestutil "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil/sims"
-	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/keeper"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/types"
-)
-
-func init() {
-	sdk.DefaultPowerReduction = sdk.NewIntFromBigInt(new(big.Int).Exp(big.NewInt(10), big.NewInt(18), nil))
-}
-
-// nolint:deadcode,unused,varcheck
-var (
-	priv1 = secp256k1.GenPrivKey()
-	addr1 = sdk.AccAddress(priv1.PubKey().Address())
-	priv2 = secp256k1.GenPrivKey()
-	addr2 = sdk.AccAddress(priv2.PubKey().Address())
-
-	valKey  = ed25519.GenPrivKey()
-	valAddr = sdk.AccAddress(valKey.PubKey().Address())
-
-	commissionRates = types.NewCommissionRates(math.LegacyZeroDec(), math.LegacyZeroDec(), math.LegacyZeroDec())
-
-	PKs = simtestutil.CreateTestPubKeys(500)
-)
-
-// getBaseSimappWithCustomKeeper Returns a simapp with custom StakingKeeper
-// to avoid messing with the hooks.
-func getBaseSimappWithCustomKeeper(t *testing.T) (*codec.LegacyAmino, *simapp.SimApp, sdk.Context) {
-	app := simapp.Setup(t, false)
-	ctx := app.BaseApp.NewContext(false, tmproto.Header{})
-
-	appCodec := app.AppCodec()
-
-	app.StakingKeeper = keeper.NewKeeper(
-		appCodec,
-		app.GetKey(types.StoreKey),
-		app.AccountKeeper,
-		app.BankKeeper,
-		authtypes.NewModuleAddress(govtypes.ModuleName).String(),
-	)
-	app.StakingKeeper.SetParams(ctx, types.DefaultParams())
-
-	return codec.NewLegacyAmino(), app, ctx
-}
-
-// generateAddresses generates numAddrs of normal AccAddrs and ValAddrs
-func generateAddresses(app *simapp.SimApp, ctx sdk.Context, numAddrs int, accAmount math.Int) ([]sdk.AccAddress, []sdk.ValAddress) {
-	addrDels := simapp.AddTestAddrsIncremental(app, ctx, numAddrs, accAmount)
-	addrVals := simtestutil.ConvertAddrsToValAddrs(addrDels)
-
-	return addrDels, addrVals
-}
diff --git a/x/staking/module_test.go b/x/staking/module_test.go
index 9c18bf3629e2..f5f9014c3bfc 100644
--- a/x/staking/module_test.go
+++ b/x/staking/module_test.go
@@ -4,44 +4,25 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-	abcitypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
-	tmjson "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/libs/json"
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/libs/log"
 	tmproto "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/proto/tendermint/types"
-	dbm "github.com/tendermint/tm-db"
 
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/client/flags"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/server"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/simapp"
 	simtestutil "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil/sims"
+	authKeeper "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/keeper"
 	authtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/types"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/testutil"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/types"
 )
 
 func TestItCreatesModuleAccountOnInitBlock(t *testing.T) {
-	db := dbm.NewMemDB()
-
-	appOptions := make(simtestutil.AppOptionsMap, 0)
-	appOptions[flags.FlagHome] = simapp.DefaultNodeHome
-	appOptions[server.FlagInvCheckPeriod] = 5
-
-	app := simapp.NewSimApp(log.NewNopLogger(), db, nil, true, appOptions)
-
-	genesisState := simapp.GenesisStateWithSingleValidator(t, app)
-	stateBytes, err := tmjson.Marshal(genesisState)
+	var accountKeeper authKeeper.AccountKeeper
+	app, err := simtestutil.SetupAtGenesis(testutil.AppConfig, &accountKeeper)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	app.InitChain(
-		abcitypes.RequestInitChain{
-			AppStateBytes: stateBytes,
-			ChainId:       "test-chain-id",
-		},
-	)
-
 	ctx := app.BaseApp.NewContext(false, tmproto.Header{})
-	acc := app.AccountKeeper.GetAccount(ctx, authtypes.NewModuleAddress(types.BondedPoolName))
+	acc := accountKeeper.GetAccount(ctx, authtypes.NewModuleAddress(types.BondedPoolName))
+
 	require.NotNil(t, acc)
 
-	acc = app.AccountKeeper.GetAccount(ctx, authtypes.NewModuleAddress(types.NotBondedPoolName))
+	acc = accountKeeper.GetAccount(ctx, authtypes.NewModuleAddress(types.NotBondedPoolName))
 	require.NotNil(t, acc)
 }
diff --git a/x/staking/simulation/operations.go b/x/staking/simulation/operations.go
index 612fe34bf113..a675c4c9e634 100644
--- a/x/staking/simulation/operations.go
+++ b/x/staking/simulation/operations.go
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@ import (
 	"cosmossdk.io/math"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/baseapp"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
-	simappparams "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/simapp/params"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
+	moduletestutil "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/module/testutil"
 	simtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/simulation"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/simulation"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/keeper"
@@ -20,6 +20,13 @@ import (
 //
 //nolint:gosec // these are not hardcoded credentials
 const (
+	DefaultWeightMsgCreateValidator           int = 100
+	DefaultWeightMsgEditValidator             int = 5
+	DefaultWeightMsgDelegate                  int = 100
+	DefaultWeightMsgUndelegate                int = 100
+	DefaultWeightMsgBeginRedelegate           int = 100
+	DefaultWeightMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation int = 100
+
 	OpWeightMsgCreateValidator           = "op_weight_msg_create_validator"
 	OpWeightMsgEditValidator             = "op_weight_msg_edit_validator"
 	OpWeightMsgDelegate                  = "op_weight_msg_delegate"
@@ -44,37 +51,37 @@ func WeightedOperations(
 
 	appParams.GetOrGenerate(cdc, OpWeightMsgCreateValidator, &weightMsgCreateValidator, nil,
 		func(_ *rand.Rand) {
-			weightMsgCreateValidator = simappparams.DefaultWeightMsgCreateValidator
+			weightMsgCreateValidator = DefaultWeightMsgCreateValidator
 		},
 	)
 
 	appParams.GetOrGenerate(cdc, OpWeightMsgEditValidator, &weightMsgEditValidator, nil,
 		func(_ *rand.Rand) {
-			weightMsgEditValidator = simappparams.DefaultWeightMsgEditValidator
+			weightMsgEditValidator = DefaultWeightMsgEditValidator
 		},
 	)
 
 	appParams.GetOrGenerate(cdc, OpWeightMsgDelegate, &weightMsgDelegate, nil,
 		func(_ *rand.Rand) {
-			weightMsgDelegate = simappparams.DefaultWeightMsgDelegate
+			weightMsgDelegate = DefaultWeightMsgDelegate
 		},
 	)
 
 	appParams.GetOrGenerate(cdc, OpWeightMsgUndelegate, &weightMsgUndelegate, nil,
 		func(_ *rand.Rand) {
-			weightMsgUndelegate = simappparams.DefaultWeightMsgUndelegate
+			weightMsgUndelegate = DefaultWeightMsgUndelegate
 		},
 	)
 
 	appParams.GetOrGenerate(cdc, OpWeightMsgBeginRedelegate, &weightMsgBeginRedelegate, nil,
 		func(_ *rand.Rand) {
-			weightMsgBeginRedelegate = simappparams.DefaultWeightMsgBeginRedelegate
+			weightMsgBeginRedelegate = DefaultWeightMsgBeginRedelegate
 		},
 	)
 
 	appParams.GetOrGenerate(cdc, OpWeightMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation, &weightMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation, nil,
 		func(_ *rand.Rand) {
-			weightMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation = simappparams.DefaultWeightMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation
+			weightMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation = DefaultWeightMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation
 		},
 	)
 
@@ -170,7 +177,7 @@ func SimulateMsgCreateValidator(ak types.AccountKeeper, bk types.BankKeeper, k *
 		txCtx := simulation.OperationInput{
 			R:             r,
 			App:           app,
-			TxGen:         simappparams.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig,
+			TxGen:         moduletestutil.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig,
 			Cdc:           nil,
 			Msg:           msg,
 			MsgType:       msg.Type(),
@@ -227,7 +234,7 @@ func SimulateMsgEditValidator(ak types.AccountKeeper, bk types.BankKeeper, k *ke
 		txCtx := simulation.OperationInput{
 			R:               r,
 			App:             app,
-			TxGen:           simappparams.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig,
+			TxGen:           moduletestutil.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig,
 			Cdc:             nil,
 			Msg:             msg,
 			MsgType:         msg.Type(),
@@ -294,7 +301,7 @@ func SimulateMsgDelegate(ak types.AccountKeeper, bk types.BankKeeper, k *keeper.
 		txCtx := simulation.OperationInput{
 			R:             r,
 			App:           app,
-			TxGen:         simappparams.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig,
+			TxGen:         moduletestutil.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig,
 			Cdc:           nil,
 			Msg:           msg,
 			MsgType:       msg.Type(),
@@ -370,7 +377,7 @@ func SimulateMsgUndelegate(ak types.AccountKeeper, bk types.BankKeeper, k *keepe
 		txCtx := simulation.OperationInput{
 			R:               r,
 			App:             app,
-			TxGen:           simappparams.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig,
+			TxGen:           moduletestutil.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig,
 			Cdc:             nil,
 			Msg:             msg,
 			MsgType:         msg.Type(),
@@ -450,7 +457,7 @@ func SimulateMsgCancelUnbondingDelegate(ak types.AccountKeeper, bk types.BankKee
 		txCtx := simulation.OperationInput{
 			R:               r,
 			App:             app,
-			TxGen:           simappparams.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig,
+			TxGen:           moduletestutil.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig,
 			Cdc:             nil,
 			Msg:             msg,
 			MsgType:         msg.Type(),
@@ -552,7 +559,7 @@ func SimulateMsgBeginRedelegate(ak types.AccountKeeper, bk types.BankKeeper, k *
 		txCtx := simulation.OperationInput{
 			R:               r,
 			App:             app,
-			TxGen:           simappparams.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig,
+			TxGen:           moduletestutil.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig,
 			Cdc:             nil,
 			Msg:             msg,
 			MsgType:         msg.Type(),
diff --git a/x/staking/simulation/operations_test.go b/x/staking/simulation/operations_test.go
index bc241655f022..bf9b4fa2a40c 100644
--- a/x/staking/simulation/operations_test.go
+++ b/x/staking/simulation/operations_test.go
@@ -7,40 +7,124 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"cosmossdk.io/math"
-	cryptocodec "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/crypto/codec"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/suite"
+
+	cryptocodec "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/crypto/codec"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/crypto/keys/secp256k1"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/runtime"
 	abci "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
 	tmproto "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/proto/tendermint/types"
 	tmtypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
 
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/crypto/keys/secp256k1"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/simapp"
-	simappparams "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/simapp/params"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/simulation"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/teststaking"
+
+	simtestutil "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil/sims"
+	moduletestutil "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/module/testutil"
+	banktestutil "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/bank/testutil"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/testutil"
+
 	simtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/simulation"
 	authtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/types"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/bank/testutil"
-	banktypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/bank/types"
 	distrtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/distribution/types"
 	minttypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/mint/types"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/simulation"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/teststaking"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/types"
+
+	authkeeper "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/keeper"
+	bankkeeper "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/bank/keeper"
+	distrkeeper "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/distribution/keeper"
+	mintkeeper "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/mint/keeper"
+	stakingkeeper "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/keeper"
 )
 
+type SimTestSuite struct {
+	suite.Suite
+
+	r             *rand.Rand
+	accounts      []simtypes.Account
+	ctx           sdk.Context
+	app           *runtime.App
+	bankKeeper    bankkeeper.Keeper
+	accountKeeper authkeeper.AccountKeeper
+	distrKeeper   distrkeeper.Keeper
+	stakingKeeper *stakingkeeper.Keeper
+
+	encCfg moduletestutil.TestEncodingConfig
+}
+
+func (s *SimTestSuite) SetupTest() {
+	sdk.DefaultPowerReduction = sdk.NewIntFromBigInt(new(big.Int).Exp(big.NewInt(10), big.NewInt(18), nil))
+
+	s.r = rand.New(rand.NewSource(1))
+	accounts := simtypes.RandomAccounts(s.r, 4)
+
+	// create genesis accounts
+	senderPrivKey := secp256k1.GenPrivKey()
+	acc := authtypes.NewBaseAccount(senderPrivKey.PubKey().Address().Bytes(), senderPrivKey.PubKey(), 0, 0)
+	accs := []simtestutil.GenesisAccount{
+		{GenesisAccount: acc, Coins: sdk.NewCoins(sdk.NewCoin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, sdk.NewInt(100000000000000)))},
+	}
+
+	// create validator set with single validator
+	account := accounts[0]
+	tmPk, err := cryptocodec.ToTmPubKeyInterface(account.PubKey)
+	require.NoError(s.T(), err)
+	validator := tmtypes.NewValidator(tmPk, 1)
+
+	startupCfg := simtestutil.DefaultStartUpConfig()
+	startupCfg.GenesisAccounts = accs
+	startupCfg.ValidatorSet = func() (*tmtypes.ValidatorSet, error) {
+		return tmtypes.NewValidatorSet([]*tmtypes.Validator{validator}), nil
+	}
+
+	var (
+		accountKeeper authkeeper.AccountKeeper
+		mintKeeper    mintkeeper.Keeper
+		bankKeeper    bankkeeper.Keeper
+		distrKeeper   distrkeeper.Keeper
+		stakingKeeper *stakingkeeper.Keeper
+	)
+
+	app, err := simtestutil.SetupWithConfiguration(testutil.AppConfig, startupCfg, &bankKeeper, &accountKeeper, &mintKeeper, &distrKeeper, &stakingKeeper)
+	require.NoError(s.T(), err)
+
+	ctx := app.BaseApp.NewContext(false, tmproto.Header{})
+	mintKeeper.SetParams(ctx, minttypes.DefaultParams())
+	mintKeeper.SetMinter(ctx, minttypes.DefaultInitialMinter())
+
+	initAmt := stakingKeeper.TokensFromConsensusPower(ctx, 200)
+	initCoins := sdk.NewCoins(sdk.NewCoin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, initAmt))
+
+	s.accounts = accounts
+	// remove genesis validator account
+	// add coins to the accounts
+	for _, account := range accounts[1:] {
+		acc := accountKeeper.NewAccountWithAddress(ctx, account.Address)
+		accountKeeper.SetAccount(ctx, acc)
+		s.Require().NoError(banktestutil.FundAccount(bankKeeper, ctx, account.Address, initCoins))
+	}
+
+	s.accountKeeper = accountKeeper
+	s.bankKeeper = bankKeeper
+	s.distrKeeper = distrKeeper
+	s.stakingKeeper = stakingKeeper
+	s.ctx = ctx
+	s.app = app
+}
+
 // TestWeightedOperations tests the weights of the operations.
-func TestWeightedOperations(t *testing.T) {
-	s := rand.NewSource(1)
-	r := rand.New(s)
-	app, ctx, accs := createTestApp(t, false, r, 3)
+func (s *SimTestSuite) TestWeightedOperations() {
+	require := s.Require()
 
-	ctx.WithChainID("test-chain")
+	s.ctx.WithChainID("test-chain")
 
-	cdc := app.AppCodec()
+	cdc := s.encCfg.Codec
 	appParams := make(simtypes.AppParams)
 
-	weightesOps := simulation.WeightedOperations(appParams, cdc, app.AccountKeeper,
-		app.BankKeeper, app.StakingKeeper,
+	weightesOps := simulation.WeightedOperations(appParams, cdc, s.accountKeeper,
+		s.bankKeeper, s.stakingKeeper,
 	)
 
 	expected := []struct {
@@ -48,340 +132,262 @@ func TestWeightedOperations(t *testing.T) {
 		opMsgRoute string
 		opMsgName  string
 	}{
-		{simappparams.DefaultWeightMsgCreateValidator, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgCreateValidator},
-		{simappparams.DefaultWeightMsgEditValidator, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgEditValidator},
-		{simappparams.DefaultWeightMsgDelegate, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgDelegate},
-		{simappparams.DefaultWeightMsgUndelegate, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgUndelegate},
-		{simappparams.DefaultWeightMsgBeginRedelegate, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgBeginRedelegate},
-		{simappparams.DefaultWeightMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation},
+		{simulation.DefaultWeightMsgCreateValidator, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgCreateValidator},
+		{simulation.DefaultWeightMsgEditValidator, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgEditValidator},
+		{simulation.DefaultWeightMsgDelegate, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgDelegate},
+		{simulation.DefaultWeightMsgUndelegate, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgUndelegate},
+		{simulation.DefaultWeightMsgBeginRedelegate, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgBeginRedelegate},
+		{simulation.DefaultWeightMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation, types.ModuleName, types.TypeMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation},
 	}
 
 	for i, w := range weightesOps {
-		operationMsg, _, _ := w.Op()(r, app.BaseApp, ctx, accs, ctx.ChainID())
+		operationMsg, _, _ := w.Op()(s.r, s.app.BaseApp, s.ctx, s.accounts, s.ctx.ChainID())
 		// require.NoError(t, err) // TODO check if it should be NoError
 
 		// the following checks are very much dependent from the ordering of the output given
 		// by WeightedOperations. if the ordering in WeightedOperations changes some tests
 		// will fail
-		require.Equal(t, expected[i].weight, w.Weight(), "weight should be the same")
-		require.Equal(t, expected[i].opMsgRoute, operationMsg.Route, "route should be the same")
-		require.Equal(t, expected[i].opMsgName, operationMsg.Name, "operation Msg name should be the same")
+		require.Equal(expected[i].weight, w.Weight(), "weight should be the same")
+		require.Equal(expected[i].opMsgRoute, operationMsg.Route, "route should be the same")
+		require.Equal(expected[i].opMsgName, operationMsg.Name, "operation Msg name should be the same")
 	}
 }
 
 // TestSimulateMsgCreateValidator tests the normal scenario of a valid message of type TypeMsgCreateValidator.
 // Abonormal scenarios, where the message are created by an errors are not tested here.
-func TestSimulateMsgCreateValidator(t *testing.T) {
-	s := rand.NewSource(1)
-	r := rand.New(s)
-	app, ctx, accounts := createTestApp(t, false, r, 3)
-
+func (s *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateMsgCreateValidator() {
+	require := s.Require()
 	// begin a new block
-	app.BeginBlock(abci.RequestBeginBlock{Header: tmproto.Header{Height: app.LastBlockHeight() + 1, AppHash: app.LastCommitID().Hash}})
+	s.app.BeginBlock(abci.RequestBeginBlock{Header: tmproto.Header{Height: s.app.LastBlockHeight() + 1, AppHash: s.app.LastCommitID().Hash}})
 
 	// execute operation
-	op := simulation.SimulateMsgCreateValidator(app.AccountKeeper, app.BankKeeper, app.StakingKeeper)
-	operationMsg, futureOperations, err := op(r, app.BaseApp, ctx, accounts, "")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	op := simulation.SimulateMsgCreateValidator(s.accountKeeper, s.bankKeeper, s.stakingKeeper)
+	operationMsg, futureOperations, err := op(s.r, s.app.BaseApp, s.ctx, s.accounts[1:], "")
+	require.NoError(err)
 
 	var msg types.MsgCreateValidator
 	types.ModuleCdc.UnmarshalJSON(operationMsg.Msg, &msg)
 
-	require.True(t, operationMsg.OK)
-	require.Equal(t, "0.080000000000000000", msg.Commission.MaxChangeRate.String())
-	require.Equal(t, "0.080000000000000000", msg.Commission.MaxRate.String())
-	require.Equal(t, "0.019527679037870745", msg.Commission.Rate.String())
-	require.Equal(t, types.TypeMsgCreateValidator, msg.Type())
-	require.Equal(t, []byte{0xa, 0x20, 0x51, 0xde, 0xbd, 0xe8, 0xfa, 0xdf, 0x4e, 0xfc, 0x33, 0xa5, 0x16, 0x94, 0xf6, 0xee, 0xd3, 0x69, 0x7a, 0x7a, 0x1c, 0x2d, 0x50, 0xb6, 0x2, 0xf7, 0x16, 0x4e, 0x66, 0x9f, 0xff, 0x38, 0x91, 0x9b}, msg.Pubkey.Value)
-	require.Equal(t, "cosmos1ghekyjucln7y67ntx7cf27m9dpuxxemn4c8g4r", msg.DelegatorAddress)
-	require.Equal(t, "cosmosvaloper1ghekyjucln7y67ntx7cf27m9dpuxxemnsvnaes", msg.ValidatorAddress)
-	require.Len(t, futureOperations, 0)
+	require.True(operationMsg.OK)
+	require.Equal(types.TypeMsgCreateValidator, msg.Type())
+	require.Equal("cosmos1p8wcgrjr4pjju90xg6u9cgq55dxwq8j7u4x9a0", msg.DelegatorAddress)
+	require.Equal("cosmosvaloper1p8wcgrjr4pjju90xg6u9cgq55dxwq8j7epjs3u", msg.ValidatorAddress)
+	require.Len(futureOperations, 0)
 }
 
 // TestSimulateMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation tests the normal scenario of a valid message of type TypeMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation.
 // Abonormal scenarios, where the message is
-func TestSimulateMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation(t *testing.T) {
-	s := rand.NewSource(1)
-	r := rand.New(s)
-	app, ctx, accounts := createTestApp(t, false, r, 3)
-
+func (s *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation() {
+	require := s.Require()
 	blockTime := time.Now().UTC()
-	ctx = ctx.WithBlockTime(blockTime)
-
-	// remove genesis validator account
-	accounts = accounts[1:]
+	ctx := s.ctx.WithBlockTime(blockTime)
 
-	// setup accounts[0] as validator
-	validator0 := getTestingValidator0(t, app, ctx, accounts)
+	// setup accounts[1] as validator
+	validator0 := s.getTestingValidator0(ctx)
 
 	// setup delegation
-	delTokens := app.StakingKeeper.TokensFromConsensusPower(ctx, 2)
+	delTokens := s.stakingKeeper.TokensFromConsensusPower(ctx, 2)
 	validator0, issuedShares := validator0.AddTokensFromDel(delTokens)
-	delegator := accounts[1]
+	delegator := s.accounts[2]
 	delegation := types.NewDelegation(delegator.Address, validator0.GetOperator(), issuedShares)
-	app.StakingKeeper.SetDelegation(ctx, delegation)
-	app.DistrKeeper.SetDelegatorStartingInfo(ctx, validator0.GetOperator(), delegator.Address, distrtypes.NewDelegatorStartingInfo(2, math.LegacyOneDec(), 200))
+	s.stakingKeeper.SetDelegation(ctx, delegation)
+	s.distrKeeper.SetDelegatorStartingInfo(ctx, validator0.GetOperator(), delegator.Address, distrtypes.NewDelegatorStartingInfo(2, math.LegacyOneDec(), 200))
 
-	setupValidatorRewards(app, ctx, validator0.GetOperator())
+	s.setupValidatorRewards(ctx, validator0.GetOperator())
 
 	// unbonding delegation
-	udb := types.NewUnbondingDelegation(delegator.Address, validator0.GetOperator(), app.LastBlockHeight(), blockTime.Add(2*time.Minute), delTokens)
-	app.StakingKeeper.SetUnbondingDelegation(ctx, udb)
-	setupValidatorRewards(app, ctx, validator0.GetOperator())
+	udb := types.NewUnbondingDelegation(delegator.Address, validator0.GetOperator(), s.app.LastBlockHeight(), blockTime.Add(2*time.Minute), delTokens)
+	s.stakingKeeper.SetUnbondingDelegation(ctx, udb)
+	s.setupValidatorRewards(ctx, validator0.GetOperator())
 
 	// begin a new block
-	app.BeginBlock(abci.RequestBeginBlock{Header: tmproto.Header{Height: app.LastBlockHeight() + 1, AppHash: app.LastCommitID().Hash, Time: blockTime}})
+	s.app.BeginBlock(abci.RequestBeginBlock{Header: tmproto.Header{Height: s.app.LastBlockHeight() + 1, AppHash: s.app.LastCommitID().Hash, Time: blockTime}})
 
 	// execute operation
-	op := simulation.SimulateMsgCancelUnbondingDelegate(app.AccountKeeper, app.BankKeeper, app.StakingKeeper)
-	accounts = []simtypes.Account{accounts[1]}
-	operationMsg, futureOperations, err := op(r, app.BaseApp, ctx, accounts, "")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	op := simulation.SimulateMsgCancelUnbondingDelegate(s.accountKeeper, s.bankKeeper, s.stakingKeeper)
+	accounts := []simtypes.Account{delegator}
+	operationMsg, futureOperations, err := op(s.r, s.app.BaseApp, ctx, accounts, "")
+	require.NoError(err)
 
 	var msg types.MsgCancelUnbondingDelegation
 	types.ModuleCdc.UnmarshalJSON(operationMsg.Msg, &msg)
 
-	require.True(t, operationMsg.OK)
-	require.Equal(t, types.TypeMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation, msg.Type())
-	require.Equal(t, delegator.Address.String(), msg.DelegatorAddress)
-	require.Equal(t, validator0.GetOperator().String(), msg.ValidatorAddress)
-	require.Len(t, futureOperations, 0)
+	require.True(operationMsg.OK)
+	require.Equal(types.TypeMsgCancelUnbondingDelegation, msg.Type())
+	require.Equal(delegator.Address.String(), msg.DelegatorAddress)
+	require.Equal(validator0.GetOperator().String(), msg.ValidatorAddress)
+	require.Len(futureOperations, 0)
 }
 
 // TestSimulateMsgEditValidator tests the normal scenario of a valid message of type TypeMsgEditValidator.
 // Abonormal scenarios, where the message is created by an errors are not tested here.
-func TestSimulateMsgEditValidator(t *testing.T) {
-	s := rand.NewSource(1)
-	r := rand.New(s)
-	app, ctx, accounts := createTestApp(t, false, r, 3)
+func (s *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateMsgEditValidator() {
+	require := s.Require()
 	blockTime := time.Now().UTC()
-	ctx = ctx.WithBlockTime(blockTime)
-
-	// remove genesis validator account
-	accounts = accounts[1:]
+	ctx := s.ctx.WithBlockTime(blockTime)
 
 	// setup accounts[0] as validator
-	_ = getTestingValidator0(t, app, ctx, accounts)
+	_ = s.getTestingValidator0(ctx)
 
 	// begin a new block
-	app.BeginBlock(abci.RequestBeginBlock{Header: tmproto.Header{Height: app.LastBlockHeight() + 1, AppHash: app.LastCommitID().Hash, Time: blockTime}})
+	s.app.BeginBlock(abci.RequestBeginBlock{Header: tmproto.Header{Height: s.app.LastBlockHeight() + 1, AppHash: s.app.LastCommitID().Hash, Time: blockTime}})
 
 	// execute operation
-	op := simulation.SimulateMsgEditValidator(app.AccountKeeper, app.BankKeeper, app.StakingKeeper)
-	operationMsg, futureOperations, err := op(r, app.BaseApp, ctx, accounts, "")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	op := simulation.SimulateMsgEditValidator(s.accountKeeper, s.bankKeeper, s.stakingKeeper)
+	operationMsg, futureOperations, err := op(s.r, s.app.BaseApp, ctx, s.accounts, "")
+	require.NoError(err)
 
 	var msg types.MsgEditValidator
 	types.ModuleCdc.UnmarshalJSON(operationMsg.Msg, &msg)
 
-	require.True(t, operationMsg.OK)
-	require.Equal(t, "0.280623462081924936", msg.CommissionRate.String())
-	require.Equal(t, "xKGLwQvuyN", msg.Description.Moniker)
-	require.Equal(t, "SlcxgdXhhu", msg.Description.Identity)
-	require.Equal(t, "WeLrQKjLxz", msg.Description.Website)
-	require.Equal(t, "rBqDOTtGTO", msg.Description.SecurityContact)
-	require.Equal(t, types.TypeMsgEditValidator, msg.Type())
-	require.Equal(t, "cosmosvaloper1p8wcgrjr4pjju90xg6u9cgq55dxwq8j7epjs3u", msg.ValidatorAddress)
-	require.Len(t, futureOperations, 0)
+	require.True(operationMsg.OK)
+	require.Equal(types.TypeMsgEditValidator, msg.Type())
+	require.Equal("cosmosvaloper1p8wcgrjr4pjju90xg6u9cgq55dxwq8j7epjs3u", msg.ValidatorAddress)
+	require.Len(futureOperations, 0)
 }
 
 // TestSimulateMsgDelegate tests the normal scenario of a valid message of type TypeMsgDelegate.
 // Abonormal scenarios, where the message is created by an errors are not tested here.
-func TestSimulateMsgDelegate(t *testing.T) {
-	s := rand.NewSource(1)
-	r := rand.New(s)
-	app, ctx, accounts := createTestApp(t, false, r, 3)
-
+func (s *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateMsgDelegate() {
+	require := s.Require()
 	blockTime := time.Now().UTC()
-	ctx = ctx.WithBlockTime(blockTime)
+	ctx := s.ctx.WithBlockTime(blockTime)
 
 	// execute operation
-	op := simulation.SimulateMsgDelegate(app.AccountKeeper, app.BankKeeper, app.StakingKeeper)
-	operationMsg, futureOperations, err := op(r, app.BaseApp, ctx, accounts, "")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	op := simulation.SimulateMsgDelegate(s.accountKeeper, s.bankKeeper, s.stakingKeeper)
+	operationMsg, futureOperations, err := op(s.r, s.app.BaseApp, ctx, s.accounts[1:], "")
+	require.NoError(err)
 
 	var msg types.MsgDelegate
 	types.ModuleCdc.UnmarshalJSON(operationMsg.Msg, &msg)
 
-	require.True(t, operationMsg.OK)
-	require.Equal(t, "cosmos1ghekyjucln7y67ntx7cf27m9dpuxxemn4c8g4r", msg.DelegatorAddress)
-	require.Equal(t, "98100858108421259236", msg.Amount.Amount.String())
-	require.Equal(t, "stake", msg.Amount.Denom)
-	require.Equal(t, types.TypeMsgDelegate, msg.Type())
-	require.Equal(t, "cosmosvaloper1tnh2q55v8wyygtt9srz5safamzdengsn9dsd7z", msg.ValidatorAddress)
-	require.Len(t, futureOperations, 0)
+	require.True(operationMsg.OK)
+	require.Equal("cosmos1p8wcgrjr4pjju90xg6u9cgq55dxwq8j7u4x9a0", msg.DelegatorAddress)
+	require.Equal("stake", msg.Amount.Denom)
+	require.Equal(types.TypeMsgDelegate, msg.Type())
+	require.Equal("cosmosvaloper1tnh2q55v8wyygtt9srz5safamzdengsn9dsd7z", msg.ValidatorAddress)
+	require.Len(futureOperations, 0)
 }
 
 // TestSimulateMsgUndelegate tests the normal scenario of a valid message of type TypeMsgUndelegate.
 // Abonormal scenarios, where the message is created by an errors are not tested here.
-func TestSimulateMsgUndelegate(t *testing.T) {
-	s := rand.NewSource(1)
-	r := rand.New(s)
-	app, ctx, accounts := createTestApp(t, false, r, 3)
-
+func (s *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateMsgUndelegate() {
+	require := s.Require()
 	blockTime := time.Now().UTC()
-	ctx = ctx.WithBlockTime(blockTime)
+	ctx := s.ctx.WithBlockTime(blockTime)
 
-	// remove genesis validator account
-	accounts = accounts[1:]
-
-	// setup accounts[0] as validator
-	validator0 := getTestingValidator0(t, app, ctx, accounts)
+	// setup accounts[1] as validator
+	validator0 := s.getTestingValidator0(ctx)
 
 	// setup delegation
-	delTokens := app.StakingKeeper.TokensFromConsensusPower(ctx, 2)
+	delTokens := s.stakingKeeper.TokensFromConsensusPower(ctx, 2)
 	validator0, issuedShares := validator0.AddTokensFromDel(delTokens)
-	delegator := accounts[1]
+	delegator := s.accounts[2]
 	delegation := types.NewDelegation(delegator.Address, validator0.GetOperator(), issuedShares)
-	app.StakingKeeper.SetDelegation(ctx, delegation)
-	app.DistrKeeper.SetDelegatorStartingInfo(ctx, validator0.GetOperator(), delegator.Address, distrtypes.NewDelegatorStartingInfo(2, math.LegacyOneDec(), 200))
+	s.stakingKeeper.SetDelegation(ctx, delegation)
+	s.distrKeeper.SetDelegatorStartingInfo(ctx, validator0.GetOperator(), delegator.Address, distrtypes.NewDelegatorStartingInfo(2, math.LegacyOneDec(), 200))
 
-	setupValidatorRewards(app, ctx, validator0.GetOperator())
+	s.setupValidatorRewards(ctx, validator0.GetOperator())
 
 	// begin a new block
-	app.BeginBlock(abci.RequestBeginBlock{Header: tmproto.Header{Height: app.LastBlockHeight() + 1, AppHash: app.LastCommitID().Hash, Time: blockTime}})
+	s.app.BeginBlock(abci.RequestBeginBlock{Header: tmproto.Header{Height: s.app.LastBlockHeight() + 1, AppHash: s.app.LastCommitID().Hash, Time: blockTime}})
 
 	// execute operation
-	op := simulation.SimulateMsgUndelegate(app.AccountKeeper, app.BankKeeper, app.StakingKeeper)
-	operationMsg, futureOperations, err := op(r, app.BaseApp, ctx, accounts, "")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	op := simulation.SimulateMsgUndelegate(s.accountKeeper, s.bankKeeper, s.stakingKeeper)
+	operationMsg, futureOperations, err := op(s.r, s.app.BaseApp, ctx, s.accounts, "")
+	require.NoError(err)
 
 	var msg types.MsgUndelegate
 	types.ModuleCdc.UnmarshalJSON(operationMsg.Msg, &msg)
 
-	require.True(t, operationMsg.OK)
-	require.Equal(t, "cosmos1ghekyjucln7y67ntx7cf27m9dpuxxemn4c8g4r", msg.DelegatorAddress)
-	require.Equal(t, "280623462081924937", msg.Amount.Amount.String())
-	require.Equal(t, "stake", msg.Amount.Denom)
-	require.Equal(t, types.TypeMsgUndelegate, msg.Type())
-	require.Equal(t, "cosmosvaloper1p8wcgrjr4pjju90xg6u9cgq55dxwq8j7epjs3u", msg.ValidatorAddress)
-	require.Len(t, futureOperations, 0)
+	require.True(operationMsg.OK)
+	require.Equal("cosmos1ghekyjucln7y67ntx7cf27m9dpuxxemn4c8g4r", msg.DelegatorAddress)
+	require.Equal("1646627814093010272", msg.Amount.Amount.String())
+	require.Equal("stake", msg.Amount.Denom)
+	require.Equal(types.TypeMsgUndelegate, msg.Type())
+	require.Equal("cosmosvaloper1p8wcgrjr4pjju90xg6u9cgq55dxwq8j7epjs3u", msg.ValidatorAddress)
+	require.Len(futureOperations, 0)
 }
 
 // TestSimulateMsgBeginRedelegate tests the normal scenario of a valid message of type TypeMsgBeginRedelegate.
 // Abonormal scenarios, where the message is created by an errors, are not tested here.
-func TestSimulateMsgBeginRedelegate(t *testing.T) {
-	s := rand.NewSource(12)
-	r := rand.New(s)
-	app, ctx, accounts := createTestApp(t, false, r, 4)
-
+func (s *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateMsgBeginRedelegate() {
+	require := s.Require()
 	blockTime := time.Now().UTC()
-	ctx = ctx.WithBlockTime(blockTime)
+	ctx := s.ctx.WithBlockTime(blockTime)
 
-	// remove genesis validator account
-	accounts = accounts[1:]
+	// setup accounts[1] as validator0 and accounts[2] as validator1
+	validator0 := s.getTestingValidator0(ctx)
+	validator1 := s.getTestingValidator1(ctx)
 
-	// setup accounts[0] as validator0 and accounts[1] as validator1
-	validator0 := getTestingValidator0(t, app, ctx, accounts)
-	validator1 := getTestingValidator1(t, app, ctx, accounts)
-
-	delTokens := app.StakingKeeper.TokensFromConsensusPower(ctx, 2)
-	validator0, issuedShares := validator0.AddTokensFromDel(delTokens)
+	delTokens := s.stakingKeeper.TokensFromConsensusPower(ctx, 2)
+	validator1, issuedShares := validator1.AddTokensFromDel(delTokens)
 
-	// setup accounts[2] as delegator
-	delegator := accounts[2]
-	delegation := types.NewDelegation(delegator.Address, validator1.GetOperator(), issuedShares)
-	app.StakingKeeper.SetDelegation(ctx, delegation)
-	app.DistrKeeper.SetDelegatorStartingInfo(ctx, validator1.GetOperator(), delegator.Address, distrtypes.NewDelegatorStartingInfo(2, math.LegacyOneDec(), 200))
+	// setup accounts[3] as delegator
+	delegator := s.accounts[3]
+	delegation := types.NewDelegation(delegator.Address, validator0.GetOperator(), issuedShares)
+	s.stakingKeeper.SetDelegation(ctx, delegation)
+	s.distrKeeper.SetDelegatorStartingInfo(ctx, validator0.GetOperator(), delegator.Address, distrtypes.NewDelegatorStartingInfo(2, math.LegacyOneDec(), 200))
 
-	setupValidatorRewards(app, ctx, validator0.GetOperator())
-	setupValidatorRewards(app, ctx, validator1.GetOperator())
+	s.setupValidatorRewards(ctx, validator0.GetOperator())
+	s.setupValidatorRewards(ctx, validator1.GetOperator())
 
 	// begin a new block
-	app.BeginBlock(abci.RequestBeginBlock{Header: tmproto.Header{Height: app.LastBlockHeight() + 1, AppHash: app.LastCommitID().Hash, Time: blockTime}})
+	s.app.BeginBlock(abci.RequestBeginBlock{Header: tmproto.Header{Height: s.app.LastBlockHeight() + 1, AppHash: s.app.LastCommitID().Hash, Time: blockTime}})
 
 	// execute operation
-	op := simulation.SimulateMsgBeginRedelegate(app.AccountKeeper, app.BankKeeper, app.StakingKeeper)
-	operationMsg, futureOperations, err := op(r, app.BaseApp, ctx, accounts, "")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	op := simulation.SimulateMsgBeginRedelegate(s.accountKeeper, s.bankKeeper, s.stakingKeeper)
+	operationMsg, futureOperations, err := op(s.r, s.app.BaseApp, ctx, s.accounts, "")
+	s.T().Logf("operation message: %v", operationMsg)
+	require.NoError(err)
 
 	var msg types.MsgBeginRedelegate
 	types.ModuleCdc.UnmarshalJSON(operationMsg.Msg, &msg)
 
-	require.True(t, operationMsg.OK)
-	require.Equal(t, "cosmos1092v0qgulpejj8y8hs6dmlw82x9gv8f7jfc7jl", msg.DelegatorAddress)
-	require.Equal(t, "1883752832348281252", msg.Amount.Amount.String())
-	require.Equal(t, "stake", msg.Amount.Denom)
-	require.Equal(t, types.TypeMsgBeginRedelegate, msg.Type())
-	require.Equal(t, "cosmosvaloper1gnkw3uqzflagcqn6ekjwpjanlne928qhruemah", msg.ValidatorDstAddress)
-	require.Equal(t, "cosmosvaloper1kk653svg7ksj9fmu85x9ygj4jzwlyrgs89nnn2", msg.ValidatorSrcAddress)
-	require.Len(t, futureOperations, 0)
-}
-
-// returns context and an app with updated mint keeper
-func createTestApp(t *testing.T, isCheckTx bool, r *rand.Rand, n int) (*simapp.SimApp, sdk.Context, []simtypes.Account) {
-	sdk.DefaultPowerReduction = sdk.NewIntFromBigInt(new(big.Int).Exp(big.NewInt(10), big.NewInt(18), nil))
-
-	accounts := simtypes.RandomAccounts(r, n)
-	// create validator set with single validator
-	account := accounts[0]
-	tmPk, err := cryptocodec.ToTmPubKeyInterface(account.PubKey)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	validator := tmtypes.NewValidator(tmPk, 1)
-
-	valSet := tmtypes.NewValidatorSet([]*tmtypes.Validator{validator})
-
-	// generate genesis account
-	senderPrivKey := secp256k1.GenPrivKey()
-	acc := authtypes.NewBaseAccount(senderPrivKey.PubKey().Address().Bytes(), senderPrivKey.PubKey(), 0, 0)
-	balance := banktypes.Balance{
-		Address: acc.GetAddress().String(),
-		Coins:   sdk.NewCoins(sdk.NewCoin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, sdk.NewInt(100000000000000))),
-	}
-
-	app := simapp.SetupWithGenesisValSet(t, valSet, []authtypes.GenesisAccount{acc}, balance)
-
-	ctx := app.BaseApp.NewContext(isCheckTx, tmproto.Header{})
-	app.MintKeeper.SetParams(ctx, minttypes.DefaultParams())
-	app.MintKeeper.SetMinter(ctx, minttypes.DefaultInitialMinter())
-
-	initAmt := app.StakingKeeper.TokensFromConsensusPower(ctx, 200)
-	initCoins := sdk.NewCoins(sdk.NewCoin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, initAmt))
-
-	// remove genesis validator account
-	accs := accounts[1:]
-
-	// add coins to the accounts
-	for _, account := range accs {
-		acc := app.AccountKeeper.NewAccountWithAddress(ctx, account.Address)
-		app.AccountKeeper.SetAccount(ctx, acc)
-		require.NoError(t, testutil.FundAccount(app.BankKeeper, ctx, account.Address, initCoins))
-	}
-
-	return app, ctx, accounts
+	require.True(operationMsg.OK)
+	require.Equal("cosmos1ua0fwyws7vzjrry3pqkklvf8mny93l9s9zg0h4", msg.DelegatorAddress)
+	require.Equal("stake", msg.Amount.Denom)
+	require.Equal(types.TypeMsgBeginRedelegate, msg.Type())
+	require.Equal("cosmosvaloper1ghekyjucln7y67ntx7cf27m9dpuxxemnsvnaes", msg.ValidatorDstAddress)
+	require.Equal("cosmosvaloper1p8wcgrjr4pjju90xg6u9cgq55dxwq8j7epjs3u", msg.ValidatorSrcAddress)
+	require.Len(futureOperations, 0)
 }
 
-func getTestingValidator0(t *testing.T, app *simapp.SimApp, ctx sdk.Context, accounts []simtypes.Account) types.Validator {
+func (s *SimTestSuite) getTestingValidator0(ctx sdk.Context) types.Validator {
 	commission0 := types.NewCommission(math.LegacyZeroDec(), math.LegacyOneDec(), math.LegacyOneDec())
-	return getTestingValidator(t, app, ctx, accounts, commission0, 0)
+	return s.getTestingValidator(ctx, commission0, 1)
 }
 
-func getTestingValidator1(t *testing.T, app *simapp.SimApp, ctx sdk.Context, accounts []simtypes.Account) types.Validator {
+func (s *SimTestSuite) getTestingValidator1(ctx sdk.Context) types.Validator {
 	commission1 := types.NewCommission(math.LegacyZeroDec(), math.LegacyZeroDec(), math.LegacyZeroDec())
-	return getTestingValidator(t, app, ctx, accounts, commission1, 1)
+	return s.getTestingValidator(ctx, commission1, 2)
 }
 
-func getTestingValidator(t *testing.T, app *simapp.SimApp, ctx sdk.Context, accounts []simtypes.Account, commission types.Commission, n int) types.Validator {
-	account := accounts[n]
+func (s *SimTestSuite) getTestingValidator(ctx sdk.Context, commission types.Commission, n int) types.Validator {
+	account := s.accounts[n]
 	valPubKey := account.PubKey
 	valAddr := sdk.ValAddress(account.PubKey.Address().Bytes())
-	validator := teststaking.NewValidator(t, valAddr, valPubKey)
+	validator := teststaking.NewValidator(s.T(), valAddr, valPubKey)
 	validator, err := validator.SetInitialCommission(commission)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	s.Require().NoError(err)
 
 	validator.DelegatorShares = math.LegacyNewDec(100)
-	validator.Tokens = app.StakingKeeper.TokensFromConsensusPower(ctx, 100)
+	validator.Tokens = s.stakingKeeper.TokensFromConsensusPower(ctx, 100)
 
-	app.StakingKeeper.SetValidator(ctx, validator)
+	s.stakingKeeper.SetValidator(ctx, validator)
 
 	return validator
 }
 
-func setupValidatorRewards(app *simapp.SimApp, ctx sdk.Context, valAddress sdk.ValAddress) {
+func (s *SimTestSuite) setupValidatorRewards(ctx sdk.Context, valAddress sdk.ValAddress) {
 	decCoins := sdk.DecCoins{sdk.NewDecCoinFromDec(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, math.LegacyOneDec())}
 	historicalRewards := distrtypes.NewValidatorHistoricalRewards(decCoins, 2)
-	app.DistrKeeper.SetValidatorHistoricalRewards(ctx, valAddress, 2, historicalRewards)
-	// setup current rewards
+	s.distrKeeper.SetValidatorHistoricalRewards(ctx, valAddress, 2, historicalRewards)
+	// setup current revards
 	currentRewards := distrtypes.NewValidatorCurrentRewards(decCoins, 3)
-	app.DistrKeeper.SetValidatorCurrentRewards(ctx, valAddress, currentRewards)
+	s.distrKeeper.SetValidatorCurrentRewards(ctx, valAddress, currentRewards)
+}
+
+func TestSimTestSuite(t *testing.T) {
+	suite.Run(t, new(SimTestSuite))
 }
diff --git a/x/staking/types/authz_test.go b/x/staking/types/authz_test.go
index b794618b744b..ca9672d91bb6 100644
--- a/x/staking/types/authz_test.go
+++ b/x/staking/types/authz_test.go
@@ -4,11 +4,11 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-	tmproto "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/proto/tendermint/types"
 
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/simapp"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
 	stakingtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/types"
+	tmproto "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/proto/tendermint/types"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -22,8 +22,9 @@ var (
 )
 
 func TestAuthzAuthorizations(t *testing.T) {
-	app := simapp.Setup(t, false)
-	ctx := app.BaseApp.NewContext(false, tmproto.Header{})
+	key := sdk.NewKVStoreKey(stakingtypes.StoreKey)
+	testCtx := testutil.DefaultContextWithDB(t, key, sdk.NewTransientStoreKey("transient_test"))
+	ctx := testCtx.Ctx.WithBlockHeader(tmproto.Header{})
 
 	// verify ValidateBasic returns error for the AUTHORIZATION_TYPE_UNSPECIFIED authorization type
 	delAuth, err := stakingtypes.NewStakeAuthorization([]sdk.ValAddress{val1, val2}, []sdk.ValAddress{}, stakingtypes.AuthorizationType_AUTHORIZATION_TYPE_UNSPECIFIED, &coin100)