diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index aba2a0e..facaa9f 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ checksum = "bef38d45163c2f1dde094a7dfd33ccf595c92905c8f8f4fdc18d06fb1037718a"
 [[package]]
 name = "bolt-derive"
 version = "0.1.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2",
  "quote",
@@ -1189,7 +1189,7 @@ checksum = "b06a4cde4c0f271a446782e3eff8de789548ce57dbc8eca9292c27f4a42004b4"
 [[package]]
 name = "lss-connector"
 version = "0.1.0"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#057476d30a233d82d85456a83a10401b72533a8c"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "log",
@@ -1757,7 +1757,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "sphinx-auther"
 version = "0.1.12"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#057476d30a233d82d85456a83a10401b72533a8c"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64",
@@ -1769,7 +1769,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "sphinx-crypter"
 version = "0.1.0"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#057476d30a233d82d85456a83a10401b72533a8c"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "chacha20poly1305",
@@ -1780,7 +1780,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "sphinx-glyph"
 version = "0.1.2"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#057476d30a233d82d85456a83a10401b72533a8c"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "hex",
@@ -1832,7 +1832,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "sphinx-signer"
 version = "0.1.0"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#057476d30a233d82d85456a83a10401b72533a8c"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "bip39",
@@ -2112,8 +2112,8 @@ checksum = "49874b5167b65d7193b8aba1567f5c7d93d001cafc34600cee003eda787e483f"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-core"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "bitcoin",
@@ -2134,8 +2134,8 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-persist"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "hex",
  "log",
@@ -2147,8 +2147,8 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-protocol"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "as-any",
  "bolt-derive",
@@ -2161,8 +2161,8 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-protocol-signer"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "bit-vec",
  "log",
diff --git a/broker/Cargo.lock b/broker/Cargo.lock
index 5b007d1..457fe70 100644
--- a/broker/Cargo.lock
+++ b/broker/Cargo.lock
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "bolt-derive"
 version = "0.1.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2",
  "quote",
@@ -1582,7 +1582,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "lightning-storage-server"
 version = "0.3.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "async-trait",
@@ -1658,7 +1658,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "lss-connector"
 version = "0.1.0"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs#d3f22ea08e8da221375b0086c3187479c3a01b13"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "lightning-storage-server",
@@ -3190,7 +3190,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "sphinx-auther"
 version = "0.1.12"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs#d3f22ea08e8da221375b0086c3187479c3a01b13"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64 0.13.1",
@@ -3202,7 +3202,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "sphinx-glyph"
 version = "0.1.2"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs#d3f22ea08e8da221375b0086c3187479c3a01b13"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "hex",
@@ -3248,7 +3248,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "sphinx-signer"
 version = "0.1.0"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs#d3f22ea08e8da221375b0086c3187479c3a01b13"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "bip39",
@@ -3907,8 +3907,8 @@ checksum = "49874b5167b65d7193b8aba1567f5c7d93d001cafc34600cee003eda787e483f"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-core"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "backtrace",
@@ -3931,8 +3931,8 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-frontend"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "async-trait",
  "lightning-storage-server",
@@ -3945,8 +3945,8 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-persist"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "hex",
  "kv",
@@ -3959,8 +3959,8 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-protocol"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "as-any",
  "bolt-derive",
@@ -3973,8 +3973,8 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-protocol-client"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "async-trait",
@@ -3988,8 +3988,8 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-protocol-signer"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "bit-vec",
  "log",
@@ -4000,8 +4000,8 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-proxy"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "as-any",
diff --git a/broker/Cargo.toml b/broker/Cargo.toml
index eb453a5..abbfee6 100644
--- a/broker/Cargo.toml
+++ b/broker/Cargo.toml
@@ -30,10 +30,10 @@ thiserror         = "1.0.31"
 toml              = "0.5.9"
 url               = { version = "2.2" }
 
-vls-frontend        = { git = "https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git", rev = "b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752" }
-vls-protocol        = { git = "https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git", rev = "b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752" }
-vls-protocol-client = { git = "https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git", rev = "b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752" }
-vls-proxy           = { git = "https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git", rev = "b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752" }
+vls-frontend        = { git = "https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git", rev = "1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015" }
+vls-protocol        = { git = "https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git", rev = "1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015" }
+vls-protocol-client = { git = "https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git", rev = "1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015" }
+vls-proxy           = { git = "https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git", rev = "1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015" }
 
 lss-connector = { git = "https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs" }
 sphinx-signer = { git = "https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs" }
diff --git a/broker/src/looper.rs b/broker/src/looper.rs
index 84175b6..d12e3e0 100644
--- a/broker/src/looper.rs
+++ b/broker/src/looper.rs
@@ -160,16 +160,16 @@ impl<C: 'static + Client> SignerLoop<C> {
         let md = parser::raw_request_from_bytes(message, self.chan.sequence, peer_id, dbid)?;
         // send to signer
         log::info!("SEND ON {}", topics::VLS);
-        let (res_topic, res) = self.send_request_and_get_reply(topics::VLS, md)?;
+        let (res_topic, res) = self.send_request_wait(topics::VLS, md)?;
         log::info!("GOT ON {}", res_topic);
         let mut the_res = res.clone();
         if res_topic == topics::LSS_RES {
             // send reply to LSS to store muts
-            let lss_reply = self.send_lss_and_get_reply(res)?;
+            let lss_reply = self.send_lss(res)?;
             log::info!("LSS REPLY LEN {}", &lss_reply.len());
             // send to signer for HMAC validation, and get final reply
             log::info!("SEND ON {}", topics::LSS_MSG);
-            let (res_topic2, res2) = self.send_request_and_get_reply(topics::LSS_MSG, lss_reply)?;
+            let (res_topic2, res2) = self.send_request_wait(topics::LSS_MSG, lss_reply)?;
             log::info!("GOT ON {}, send to CLN", res_topic2);
             if res_topic2 != topics::VLS_RETURN {
                 log::warn!("got a topic NOT on {}", topics::VLS_RETURN);
@@ -206,11 +206,7 @@ impl<C: 'static + Client> SignerLoop<C> {
 
     // returns (topic, payload)
     // might halt if signer is offline
-    fn send_request_and_get_reply(
-        &mut self,
-        topic: &str,
-        message: Vec<u8>,
-    ) -> Result<(String, Vec<u8>)> {
+    fn send_request_wait(&mut self, topic: &str, message: Vec<u8>) -> Result<(String, Vec<u8>)> {
         // Send a request to the MQTT handler to send to signer
         let (request, reply_rx) = ChannelRequest::new(topic, message);
         // This can fail if MQTT shuts down
@@ -223,7 +219,7 @@ impl<C: 'static + Client> SignerLoop<C> {
         Ok((reply.topic_end, reply.reply))
     }
 
-    fn send_lss_and_get_reply(&mut self, message: Vec<u8>) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
+    fn send_lss(&mut self, message: Vec<u8>) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
         // Send a request to the MQTT handler to send to signer
         let (request, reply_rx) = LssReq::new(message);
         // This can fail if MQTT shuts down
diff --git a/broker/src/lss.rs b/broker/src/lss.rs
index e487054..fe32e3e 100644
--- a/broker/src/lss.rs
+++ b/broker/src/lss.rs
@@ -12,14 +12,14 @@ pub async fn lss_setup(uri: &str, mqtt_tx: mpsc::Sender<ChannelRequest>) -> Resu
     
     // LSS required
     let (spk, msg_bytes) = LssBroker::get_server_pubkey(uri).await?;
-    let reply = ChannelRequest::send(topics::LSS_MSG, msg_bytes, &mqtt_tx).await?;
+    let reply = ChannelRequest::send(topics::INIT_MSG, msg_bytes, &mqtt_tx).await?;
     let ir = Response::from_slice(&reply)?.as_init()?;
 
     let lss_conn = LssBroker::new(uri, ir.clone(), spk).await?;
     // this only returns the initial state if it was requested by signer
     let msg_bytes2 = lss_conn.get_created_state_msg(&ir).await?;
 
-    let reply2 = ChannelRequest::send(topics::LSS_MSG, msg_bytes2, &mqtt_tx).await?;
+    let reply2 = ChannelRequest::send(topics::INIT_MSG, msg_bytes2, &mqtt_tx).await?;
     let cr = Response::from_slice(&reply2)?.as_created()?;
 
     lss_conn.handle(Response::Created(cr)).await?;
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ pub async fn lss_setup(uri: &str, mqtt_tx: mpsc::Sender<ChannelRequest>) -> Resu
     Ok(lss_conn)
 }
 
-pub fn lss_tasks(lss_conn: LssBroker, mut lss_rx: mpsc::Receiver<LssReq>, mut reconn_rx: mpsc::Receiver<(String, bool)>, mqtt_tx: mpsc::Sender<ChannelRequest>) {
+pub fn lss_tasks(lss_conn: LssBroker, mut lss_rx: mpsc::Receiver<LssReq>, mut reconn_rx: mpsc::Receiver<(String, bool)>, init_tx: mpsc::Sender<ChannelRequest>) {
     // msg handler (from CLN looper)
     let lss_conn_ = lss_conn.clone();
     tokio::task::spawn(async move{
@@ -45,12 +45,12 @@ pub fn lss_tasks(lss_conn: LssBroker, mut lss_rx: mpsc::Receiver<LssReq>, mut re
 
     // reconnect handler (when a client reconnects)
     let lss_conn_ = lss_conn.clone();
-    let mqtt_tx_ = mqtt_tx.clone();
+    let init_tx_ = init_tx.clone();
     tokio::task::spawn(async move{
         while let Some((cid, connected)) = reconn_rx.recv().await {
             if connected {
                 log::info!("CLIENT {} reconnected!", cid);
-                if let Err(e) = reconnect_dance(&cid, &lss_conn_, &mqtt_tx_).await {
+                if let Err(e) = reconnect_dance(&cid, &lss_conn_, &init_tx_).await {
                     log::error!("reconnect dance failed {:?}", e);
                 }
             }
@@ -62,10 +62,10 @@ async fn reconnect_dance(cid: &str, lss_conn: &LssBroker, mqtt_tx: &mpsc::Sender
     // sleep 3 seconds to make sure ESP32 subscription is active
     tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(3)).await;
     let init_bytes = lss_conn.make_init_msg().await?;
-    let reply = ChannelRequest::send_for(cid, topics::LSS_MSG, init_bytes, mqtt_tx).await?;
+    let reply = ChannelRequest::send_for(cid, topics::INIT_MSG, init_bytes, mqtt_tx).await?;
     let ir = Response::from_slice(&reply)?.as_init()?;
     let state_bytes = lss_conn.get_created_state_msg(&ir).await?;
-    let reply2 = ChannelRequest::send_for(cid, topics::LSS_MSG, state_bytes, mqtt_tx).await?;
+    let reply2 = ChannelRequest::send_for(cid, topics::INIT_MSG, state_bytes, mqtt_tx).await?;
     let cr = Response::from_slice(&reply2)?.as_created()?;
     lss_conn.handle(Response::Created(cr)).await?;
     Ok(())
diff --git a/broker/src/main.rs b/broker/src/main.rs
index fe848d5..bd800b6 100644
--- a/broker/src/main.rs
+++ b/broker/src/main.rs
@@ -70,13 +70,14 @@ async fn run_main(parent_fd: i32) -> rocket::Rocket<rocket::Build> {
     let settings = read_broker_config();
 
     let (mqtt_tx, mqtt_rx) = mpsc::channel(10000);
+    let (init_tx, init_rx) = mpsc::channel(10000);
     let (error_tx, error_rx) = broadcast::channel(10000);
     error_log::log_errors(error_rx);
 
     let (reconn_tx, reconn_rx) = mpsc::channel::<(String, bool)>(10000);
 
     // waits until first connection
-    let conns = broker_setup(settings, mqtt_rx, reconn_tx.clone(), error_tx.clone()).await;
+    let conns = broker_setup(settings, mqtt_rx, init_rx, reconn_tx.clone(), error_tx.clone()).await;
 
     tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
 
@@ -84,7 +85,7 @@ async fn run_main(parent_fd: i32) -> rocket::Rocket<rocket::Build> {
     let _lss_broker = if let Ok(lss_uri) = env::var("VLS_LSS") {
         // waits until LSS confirmation from signer
         let lss_broker = loop {
-            match lss::lss_setup(&lss_uri, mqtt_tx.clone()).await{
+            match lss::lss_setup(&lss_uri, init_tx.clone()).await{
                 Ok(l) => {
                     break l;
                 },
@@ -95,7 +96,7 @@ async fn run_main(parent_fd: i32) -> rocket::Rocket<rocket::Build> {
                 }
             }
         };
-        lss::lss_tasks(lss_broker.clone(), lss_rx, reconn_rx, mqtt_tx.clone());
+        lss::lss_tasks(lss_broker.clone(), lss_rx, reconn_rx, init_tx);
         log::info!("=> lss broker connection created!");
         Some(lss_broker)
     } else {
@@ -137,6 +138,7 @@ async fn run_main(parent_fd: i32) -> rocket::Rocket<rocket::Build> {
 pub async fn broker_setup(
     settings: Settings,
     mqtt_rx: mpsc::Receiver<ChannelRequest>,
+    init_rx: mpsc::Receiver<ChannelRequest>,
     reconn_tx: mpsc::Sender<(String, bool)>,
     error_tx: broadcast::Sender<Vec<u8>>,
 ) -> Arc<Mutex<Connections>> {
@@ -161,6 +163,7 @@ pub async fn broker_setup(
     start_broker(
         settings,
         mqtt_rx,
+        init_rx,
         status_tx,
         error_tx.clone(),
         auth_tx,
@@ -169,7 +172,7 @@ pub async fn broker_setup(
     .expect("BROKER FAILED TO START");
 
     // client connections state
-    let (startup_tx, startup_rx) = std_oneshot::channel();
+    let (startup_tx, startup_rx) = std_oneshot::channel::<String>();
     let conns_ = conns.clone();
     let reconn_tx_ = reconn_tx.clone();
     std::thread::spawn(move || {
@@ -180,7 +183,7 @@ pub async fn broker_setup(
         cs.client_action(&cid, connected);
         drop(cs);
         log::info!("=> connected: {}: {}", cid, connected);
-        let _ = startup_tx.send(true);
+        let _ = startup_tx.send(cid.to_string());
         while let Ok((cid, connected)) = status_rx.recv() {
             log::info!("=> reconnected: {}: {}", cid, connected);
             let mut cs = conns_.lock().unwrap();
@@ -189,7 +192,7 @@ pub async fn broker_setup(
             let _ = reconn_tx_.blocking_send((cid, connected));
         }
     });
-    let _ = startup_rx.recv();
+    let _first_client_id = startup_rx.recv();
 
     conns
 }
diff --git a/broker/src/mqtt.rs b/broker/src/mqtt.rs
index 8a922e8..b938a41 100644
--- a/broker/src/mqtt.rs
+++ b/broker/src/mqtt.rs
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ use std::time::Duration;
 pub fn start_broker(
     settings: Settings,
     mut receiver: mpsc::Receiver<ChannelRequest>,
+    mut init_receiver: mpsc::Receiver<ChannelRequest>,
     status_sender: std::sync::mpsc::Sender<(String, bool)>,
     error_sender: broadcast::Sender<Vec<u8>>,
     auth_sender: std::sync::mpsc::Sender<AuthMsg>,
@@ -74,44 +75,25 @@ pub fn start_broker(
         }
     });
 
-    // String is the client id
+    // (client_id, topic_end, payload). topic_end is always topics::LSS_RES
+    let (init_tx, init_rx) = std::sync::mpsc::channel::<(String, String, Vec<u8>)>();
+
+    let mut link_tx_ = link_tx.clone();
+    let conns_ = connections.clone();
+    // receive replies from LSS initialization
+    let _init_task = std::thread::spawn(move || {
+        while let Some(msg) = init_receiver.blocking_recv() {
+            pub_and_wait(msg, &conns_, &init_rx, &mut link_tx_);
+        }
+    });
+
+    // (client_id, topic_end, payload)
     let (msg_tx, msg_rx) = std::sync::mpsc::channel::<(String, String, Vec<u8>)>();
 
     // receive from CLN, Frontend, Controller, or LSS
-    let conns_ = connections.clone();
     let _relay_task = std::thread::spawn(move || {
         while let Some(msg) = receiver.blocking_recv() {
-            loop {
-                let reply = if let Some(cid) = msg.cid.clone() {
-                    // for a specific client
-                    pub_wait(&cid, &msg.topic, &msg.message, &msg_rx, &mut link_tx)
-                } else {
-                    // send to each client in turn
-                    let cs = conns_.lock().unwrap();
-                    let client_list = cs.clients.clone();
-                    drop(cs);
-                    // wait a second if there are no clients
-                    if client_list.len() == 0 {
-                        std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1));
-                        None
-                    } else {
-                        let mut rep = None;
-                        for cid in client_list.iter() {
-                            rep = pub_wait(&cid, &msg.topic, &msg.message, &msg_rx, &mut link_tx);
-                            if let Some(_) = &rep {
-                                break;
-                            }
-                        }
-                        rep
-                    }
-                };
-                if let Some(reply) = reply {
-                    if let Err(_) = msg.reply_tx.send(reply) {
-                        log::warn!("could not send on reply_tx");
-                    }
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
+            pub_and_wait(msg, &connections, &msg_rx, &mut link_tx);
         }
     });
 
@@ -136,10 +118,15 @@ pub fn start_broker(
                             }
                             let cid = ts[0].to_string();
                             let topic_end = ts[1].to_string();
-                            if let Err(e) =
-                                msg_tx.send((cid, topic_end, f.publish.payload.to_vec()))
-                            {
-                                log::error!("failed to pub to msg_tx! {:?}", e);
+                            let pld = f.publish.payload.to_vec();
+                            if topic_end == topics::INIT_RES {
+                                if let Err(e) = init_tx.send((cid, topic_end, pld)) {
+                                    log::error!("failed to pub to init_tx! {:?}", e);
+                                }
+                            } else {
+                                if let Err(e) = msg_tx.send((cid, topic_end, pld)) {
+                                    log::error!("failed to pub to msg_tx! {:?}", e);
+                                }
                             }
                         }
                     }
@@ -149,6 +136,7 @@ pub fn start_broker(
         }
     });
 
+    // _init_task.await.unwrap();
     // _relay_task.await.unwrap();
     // _sub_task.await.unwrap();
     // _alerts_handle.await?;
@@ -158,9 +146,48 @@ pub fn start_broker(
     Ok(())
 }
 
+// waits forever until the reply is returned
+fn pub_and_wait(
+    msg: ChannelRequest,
+    conns_: &Arc<Mutex<Connections>>,
+    msg_rx: &std::sync::mpsc::Receiver<(String, String, Vec<u8>)>,
+    link_tx: &mut LinkTx,
+) {
+    loop {
+        let reply = if let Some(cid) = msg.cid.clone() {
+            // for a specific client
+            pub_timeout(&cid, &msg.topic, &msg.message, &msg_rx, link_tx)
+        } else {
+            // send to each client in turn
+            let cs = conns_.lock().unwrap();
+            let client_list = cs.clients.clone();
+            drop(cs);
+            // wait a second if there are no clients
+            if client_list.len() == 0 {
+                std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1));
+                None
+            } else {
+                let mut rep = None;
+                for cid in client_list.iter() {
+                    rep = pub_timeout(&cid, &msg.topic, &msg.message, &msg_rx, link_tx);
+                    if let Some(_) = &rep {
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+                rep
+            }
+        };
+        if let Some(reply) = reply {
+            if let Err(_) = msg.reply_tx.send(reply) {
+                log::warn!("could not send on reply_tx");
+            }
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 // publish to signer and wait for response
-// if timeout is exceed, try next signer
-fn pub_wait(
+fn pub_timeout(
     client_id: &str,
     topic: &str,
     payload: &[u8],
@@ -194,6 +221,8 @@ fn subs(cid: &str, mut ltx: LinkTx) {
     ltx.subscribe(format!("{}/{}", cid, topics::ERROR)).unwrap();
     ltx.subscribe(format!("{}/{}", cid, topics::LSS_RES))
         .unwrap();
+    ltx.subscribe(format!("{}/{}", cid, topics::INIT_RES))
+        .unwrap();
 }
 
 fn unsubs(_cid: &str, mut _ltx: LinkTx) {
diff --git a/broker/src/run_test.rs b/broker/src/run_test.rs
index 2786256..34827b1 100644
--- a/broker/src/run_test.rs
+++ b/broker/src/run_test.rs
@@ -16,13 +16,14 @@ pub async fn run_test() -> rocket::Rocket<rocket::Build> {
 
     let settings = Settings::default();
     let (mqtt_tx, mqtt_rx) = mpsc::channel(10000);
+    let (_init_tx, init_rx) = mpsc::channel(10000);
     let (error_tx, error_rx) = broadcast::channel(10000);
     let (conn_tx, _conn_rx) = mpsc::channel(10000);
 
     crate::error_log::log_errors(error_rx);
 
     // block until connection
-    let conns = crate::broker_setup(settings, mqtt_rx, conn_tx.clone(), error_tx.clone()).await;
+    let conns = crate::broker_setup(settings, mqtt_rx, init_rx, conn_tx.clone(), error_tx.clone()).await;
     log::info!("=> off to the races!");
 
     let tx_ = mqtt_tx.clone();
diff --git a/sphinx-key/src/conn/mqtt.rs b/sphinx-key/src/conn/mqtt.rs
index d0f9dcd..a1dd5bb 100644
--- a/sphinx-key/src/conn/mqtt.rs
+++ b/sphinx-key/src/conn/mqtt.rs
@@ -112,7 +112,9 @@ pub fn make_client(
                                 if topic.ends_with(topics::VLS) {
                                     tx.send(CoreEvent::VlsMessage(data))
                                         .expect("couldnt send Event::VlsMessage");
-                                } else if topic.ends_with(topics::LSS_MSG) {
+                                } else if topic.ends_with(topics::LSS_MSG)
+                                    || topic.ends_with(topics::INIT_MSG)
+                                {
                                     log::debug!("received data len {}", data.len());
                                     tx.send(CoreEvent::LssMessage(data))
                                         .expect("couldnt send Event::LssMessage");
diff --git a/sphinx-key/src/core/events.rs b/sphinx-key/src/core/events.rs
index 6090c77..8a69e54 100644
--- a/sphinx-key/src/core/events.rs
+++ b/sphinx-key/src/core/events.rs
@@ -35,7 +35,12 @@ pub enum Event {
 
 pub const ROOT_STORE: &str = "/sdcard/store";
 
-pub const SUB_TOPICS: &[&str] = &[topics::VLS, topics::LSS_MSG, topics::CONTROL];
+pub const SUB_TOPICS: &[&str] = &[
+    topics::INIT_MSG,
+    topics::LSS_MSG,
+    topics::VLS,
+    topics::CONTROL,
+];
 
 fn mqtt_sub(
     mqtt: &mut EspMqttClient<ConnState<MessageImpl, EspError>>,
diff --git a/sphinx-key/src/core/lss.rs b/sphinx-key/src/core/lss.rs
index 252a597..01baa24 100644
--- a/sphinx-key/src/core/lss.rs
+++ b/sphinx-key/src/core/lss.rs
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ pub fn init_lss(
     let server_pubkey = PublicKey::from_slice(&init.server_pubkey)?;
 
     let (lss_signer, res1) = LssSigner::new(&handler_builder, &server_pubkey);
-    let lss_res_topic = format!("{}/{}", client_id, topics::LSS_RES);
+    let lss_res_topic = format!("{}/{}", client_id, topics::INIT_RES);
     mqtt.publish(&lss_res_topic, QOS, false, &res1)
         .expect("could not publish LSS response");
 
diff --git a/tester/Cargo.lock b/tester/Cargo.lock
index 217404f..5f2178f 100644
--- a/tester/Cargo.lock
+++ b/tester/Cargo.lock
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ checksum = "6dbe3c979c178231552ecba20214a8272df4e09f232a87aef4320cf06539aded"
 [[package]]
 name = "bolt-derive"
 version = "0.1.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2",
  "quote",
@@ -1136,7 +1136,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "lss-connector"
 version = "0.1.0"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#057476d30a233d82d85456a83a10401b72533a8c"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "log",
@@ -2081,7 +2081,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "sphinx-auther"
 version = "0.1.12"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#057476d30a233d82d85456a83a10401b72533a8c"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64 0.13.1",
@@ -2093,7 +2093,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "sphinx-crypter"
 version = "0.1.0"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#057476d30a233d82d85456a83a10401b72533a8c"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "chacha20poly1305",
@@ -2104,7 +2104,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "sphinx-glyph"
 version = "0.1.2"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#057476d30a233d82d85456a83a10401b72533a8c"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "hex",
@@ -2143,7 +2143,7 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "sphinx-signer"
 version = "0.1.0"
-source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#057476d30a233d82d85456a83a10401b72533a8c"
+source = "git+https://github.com/stakwork/sphinx-rs.git#b84522dd596606aea9899969fe0d3f68d4eb6632"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "bip39",
@@ -2649,8 +2649,8 @@ checksum = "49874b5167b65d7193b8aba1567f5c7d93d001cafc34600cee003eda787e483f"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-core"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "bitcoin",
@@ -2671,8 +2671,8 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-persist"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "hex",
  "log",
@@ -2684,8 +2684,8 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-protocol"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "as-any",
  "bolt-derive",
@@ -2698,8 +2698,8 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vls-protocol-signer"
-version = "0.9.0"
-source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752#b355d2235b4ff0a223820e16889ba9cf939c0752"
+version = "0.9.1"
+source = "git+https://gitlab.com/lightning-signer/validating-lightning-signer.git?rev=1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015#1228aba0c418009c926d78c21501fef0ecc96015"
 dependencies = [
  "bit-vec",
  "log",