diff --git a/beacon-chain/archiver/service.go b/beacon-chain/archiver/service.go
index 0328100e8..8b122adb2 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/archiver/service.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/archiver/service.go
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ var log = logrus.WithField("prefix", "archiver")
 type Service struct {
 	ctx                  context.Context
 	cancel               context.CancelFunc
-	beaconDB             db.Database
+	beaconDB             db.NoHeadAccessDatabase
 	headFetcher          blockchain.HeadFetcher
 	participationFetcher blockchain.ParticipationFetcher
 	stateNotifier        statefeed.Notifier
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ type Service struct {
 
 // Config options for the archiver service.
 type Config struct {
-	BeaconDB             db.Database
+	BeaconDB             db.NoHeadAccessDatabase
 	HeadFetcher          blockchain.HeadFetcher
 	ParticipationFetcher blockchain.ParticipationFetcher
 	StateNotifier        statefeed.Notifier
diff --git a/beacon-chain/blockchain/chain_info.go b/beacon-chain/blockchain/chain_info.go
index 5f26c4d89..994c06899 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/blockchain/chain_info.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/blockchain/chain_info.go
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ import (
 // directly retrieves chain info related data.
 type ChainInfoFetcher interface {
 	HeadFetcher
-	CanonicalRootFetcher
 	FinalizationFetcher
 }
 
@@ -37,12 +36,6 @@ type HeadFetcher interface {
 	HeadSeed(epoch uint64) ([32]byte, error)
 }
 
-// CanonicalRootFetcher defines a common interface for methods in blockchain service which
-// directly retrieves canonical roots related data.
-type CanonicalRootFetcher interface {
-	CanonicalRoot(slot uint64) []byte
-}
-
 // ForkFetcher retrieves the current fork information of the Ethereum beacon chain.
 type ForkFetcher interface {
 	CurrentFork() *pb.Fork
@@ -167,14 +160,6 @@ func (s *Service) HeadSeed(epoch uint64) ([32]byte, error) {
 	return helpers.Seed(s.headState, epoch, params.BeaconConfig().DomainBeaconAttester)
 }
 
-// CanonicalRoot returns the canonical root of a given slot.
-func (s *Service) CanonicalRoot(slot uint64) []byte {
-	s.headLock.RLock()
-	defer s.headLock.RUnlock()
-
-	return s.canonicalRoots[slot]
-}
-
 // GenesisTime returns the genesis time of beacon chain.
 func (s *Service) GenesisTime() time.Time {
 	return s.genesisTime
diff --git a/beacon-chain/blockchain/chain_info_test.go b/beacon-chain/blockchain/chain_info_test.go
index 1557eedc7..d88e48ec3 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/blockchain/chain_info_test.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/blockchain/chain_info_test.go
@@ -172,13 +172,3 @@ func TestCurrentFork_CanRetrieve(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Error("Recieved incorrect fork version")
 	}
 }
-
-func TestCanonicalRoot_CanRetrieve(t *testing.T) {
-	c := &Service{canonicalRoots: make(map[uint64][]byte)}
-	slot := uint64(123)
-	r := []byte{'B'}
-	c.canonicalRoots[slot] = r
-	if !bytes.Equal(r, c.CanonicalRoot(slot)) {
-		t.Errorf("Wanted head root: %v, got: %d", []byte{'A'}, c.CanonicalRoot(slot))
-	}
-}
diff --git a/beacon-chain/blockchain/forkchoice/service.go b/beacon-chain/blockchain/forkchoice/service.go
index 2c7ea8494..ef3f8013a 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/blockchain/forkchoice/service.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/blockchain/forkchoice/service.go
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ type ForkChoicer interface {
 type Store struct {
 	ctx                   context.Context
 	cancel                context.CancelFunc
-	db                    db.Database
+	db                    db.HeadAccessDatabase
 	justifiedCheckpt      *ethpb.Checkpoint
 	finalizedCheckpt      *ethpb.Checkpoint
 	prevFinalizedCheckpt  *ethpb.Checkpoint
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ type Store struct {
 
 // NewForkChoiceService instantiates a new service instance that will
 // be registered into a running beacon node.
-func NewForkChoiceService(ctx context.Context, db db.Database) *Store {
+func NewForkChoiceService(ctx context.Context, db db.HeadAccessDatabase) *Store {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
 	return &Store{
 		ctx:             ctx,
diff --git a/beacon-chain/blockchain/service.go b/beacon-chain/blockchain/service.go
index 9e43ffa53..a753b7b34 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/blockchain/service.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/blockchain/service.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/gogo/protobuf/proto"
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	ethpb "github.com/prysmaticlabs/ethereumapis/eth/v1alpha1"
 	"github.com/prysmaticlabs/go-ssz"
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ import (
 type Service struct {
 	ctx                    context.Context
 	cancel                 context.CancelFunc
-	beaconDB               db.Database
+	beaconDB               db.HeadAccessDatabase
 	depositCache           *depositcache.DepositCache
 	chainStartFetcher      powchain.ChainStartFetcher
 	attPool                attestations.Pool
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ type Service struct {
 type Config struct {
 	BeaconBlockBuf    int
 	ChainStartFetcher powchain.ChainStartFetcher
-	BeaconDB          db.Database
+	BeaconDB          db.HeadAccessDatabase
 	DepositCache      *depositcache.DepositCache
 	AttPool           attestations.Pool
 	P2p               p2p.Broadcaster
@@ -248,7 +249,7 @@ func (s *Service) saveHead(ctx context.Context, signed *ethpb.SignedBeaconBlock,
 	if err := s.beaconDB.SaveHeadBlockRoot(ctx, r); err != nil {
 		return errors.Wrap(err, "could not save head root in DB")
 	}
-	s.headBlock = signed
+	s.headBlock = proto.Clone(signed).(*ethpb.SignedBeaconBlock)
 
 	headState, err := s.beaconDB.State(ctx, r)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -274,7 +275,7 @@ func (s *Service) saveHeadNoDB(ctx context.Context, b *ethpb.SignedBeaconBlock,
 
 	s.canonicalRoots[b.Block.Slot] = r[:]
 
-	s.headBlock = b
+	s.headBlock = proto.Clone(b).(*ethpb.SignedBeaconBlock)
 
 	headState, err := s.beaconDB.State(ctx, r)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/beacon-chain/blockchain/service_test.go b/beacon-chain/blockchain/service_test.go
index 623c3a201..638b51329 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/blockchain/service_test.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/blockchain/service_test.go
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ func TestChainService_InitializeBeaconChain(t *testing.T) {
 	if bc.HeadBlock() == nil {
 		t.Error("Head state can't be nil after initialize beacon chain")
 	}
-	if bc.CanonicalRoot(0) == nil {
+	if bc.canonicalRoots[0] == nil {
 		t.Error("Canonical root for slot 0 can't be nil after initialize beacon chain")
 	}
 }
diff --git a/beacon-chain/db/alias.go b/beacon-chain/db/alias.go
index 90eaf0b6a..2b0c334fc 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/db/alias.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/db/alias.go
@@ -2,6 +2,23 @@ package db
 
 import "github.com/prysmaticlabs/prysm/beacon-chain/db/iface"
 
-// Database defines the necessary methods for Prysm's eth2 backend which may
-// be implemented by any key-value or relational database in practice.
+// ReadOnlyDatabase exposes Prysm's eth2 data backend for read access only, no information about
+// head info. For head info, use github.com/prysmaticlabs/prysm/blockchain.HeadFetcher.
+type ReadOnlyDatabase = iface.ReadOnlyDatabase
+
+// NoHeadAccessDatabase exposes Prysm's eth2 data backend for read/write access, no information
+// about head info. For head info, use github.com/prysmaticlabs/prysm/blockchain.HeadFetcher.
+type NoHeadAccessDatabase = iface.NoHeadAccessDatabase
+
+// HeadAccessDatabase exposes Prysm's eth2 backend for read/write access with information about
+// chain head information. This interface should be used sparingly as the HeadFetcher is the source
+// of truth around chain head information while this interface serves as persistent storage for the
+// head fetcher.
+//
+// See github.com/prysmaticlabs/prysm/blockchain.HeadFetcher
+type HeadAccessDatabase = iface.HeadAccessDatabase
+
+// Database defines the necessary methods for Prysm's eth2 backend which may be implemented by any
+// key-value or relational database in practice. This is the full database interface which should
+// not be used often. Prefer a more restrictive interface in this package.
 type Database = iface.Database
diff --git a/beacon-chain/db/iface/interface.go b/beacon-chain/db/iface/interface.go
index 0df9e67f0..3ac6dfe95 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/db/iface/interface.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/db/iface/interface.go
@@ -13,82 +13,112 @@ import (
 	ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1 "github.com/prysmaticlabs/prysm/proto/beacon/p2p/v1"
 )
 
-// Database defines the necessary methods for Prysm's eth2 backend which may
-// be implemented by any key-value or relational database in practice.
-type Database interface {
-	io.Closer
-	DatabasePath() string
-	ClearDB() error
-	// Backup and restore methods
-	Backup(ctx context.Context) error
+// ReadOnlyDatabase -- See github.com/prysmaticlabs/prysm/beacon-chain/db.ReadOnlyDatabase
+type ReadOnlyDatabase interface {
 	// Attestation related methods.
 	AttestationsByDataRoot(ctx context.Context, attDataRoot [32]byte) ([]*eth.Attestation, error)
 	Attestations(ctx context.Context, f *filters.QueryFilter) ([]*eth.Attestation, error)
 	HasAttestation(ctx context.Context, attDataRoot [32]byte) bool
+	// Block related methods.
+	Block(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) (*eth.SignedBeaconBlock, error)
+	Blocks(ctx context.Context, f *filters.QueryFilter) ([]*eth.SignedBeaconBlock, error)
+	BlockRoots(ctx context.Context, f *filters.QueryFilter) ([][32]byte, error)
+	HasBlock(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) bool
+	GenesisBlock(ctx context.Context) (*ethpb.SignedBeaconBlock, error)
+	IsFinalizedBlock(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) bool
+	// Validator related methods.
+	ValidatorIndex(ctx context.Context, publicKey []byte) (uint64, bool, error)
+	HasValidatorIndex(ctx context.Context, publicKey []byte) bool
+	// State related methods.
+	State(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) (*ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1.BeaconState, error)
+	GenesisState(ctx context.Context) (*ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1.BeaconState, error)
+	HasState(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) bool
+	// Slashing operations.
+	ProposerSlashing(ctx context.Context, slashingRoot [32]byte) (*eth.ProposerSlashing, error)
+	AttesterSlashing(ctx context.Context, slashingRoot [32]byte) (*eth.AttesterSlashing, error)
+	HasProposerSlashing(ctx context.Context, slashingRoot [32]byte) bool
+	HasAttesterSlashing(ctx context.Context, slashingRoot [32]byte) bool
+	// Block operations.
+	VoluntaryExit(ctx context.Context, exitRoot [32]byte) (*eth.VoluntaryExit, error)
+	HasVoluntaryExit(ctx context.Context, exitRoot [32]byte) bool
+	// Checkpoint operations.
+	JustifiedCheckpoint(ctx context.Context) (*eth.Checkpoint, error)
+	FinalizedCheckpoint(ctx context.Context) (*eth.Checkpoint, error)
+	// Archival data handlers for storing/retrieving historical beacon node information.
+	ArchivedActiveValidatorChanges(ctx context.Context, epoch uint64) (*ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1.ArchivedActiveSetChanges, error)
+	ArchivedCommitteeInfo(ctx context.Context, epoch uint64) (*ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1.ArchivedCommitteeInfo, error)
+	ArchivedBalances(ctx context.Context, epoch uint64) ([]uint64, error)
+	ArchivedValidatorParticipation(ctx context.Context, epoch uint64) (*eth.ValidatorParticipation, error)
+	// Deposit contract related handlers.
+	DepositContractAddress(ctx context.Context) ([]byte, error)
+	// Powchain operations.
+	PowchainData(ctx context.Context) (*db.ETH1ChainData, error)
+}
+
+// NoHeadAccessDatabase -- See github.com/prysmaticlabs/prysm/beacon-chain/db.NoHeadAccessDatabase
+type NoHeadAccessDatabase interface {
+	ReadOnlyDatabase
+
+	// Attestation related methods.
 	DeleteAttestation(ctx context.Context, attDataRoot [32]byte) error
 	DeleteAttestations(ctx context.Context, attDataRoots [][32]byte) error
 	SaveAttestation(ctx context.Context, att *eth.Attestation) error
 	SaveAttestations(ctx context.Context, atts []*eth.Attestation) error
 	// Block related methods.
-	Block(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) (*eth.SignedBeaconBlock, error)
-	HeadBlock(ctx context.Context) (*eth.SignedBeaconBlock, error)
-	Blocks(ctx context.Context, f *filters.QueryFilter) ([]*eth.SignedBeaconBlock, error)
-	BlockRoots(ctx context.Context, f *filters.QueryFilter) ([][32]byte, error)
-	HasBlock(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) bool
 	DeleteBlock(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) error
 	DeleteBlocks(ctx context.Context, blockRoots [][32]byte) error
 	SaveBlock(ctx context.Context, block *eth.SignedBeaconBlock) error
 	SaveBlocks(ctx context.Context, blocks []*eth.SignedBeaconBlock) error
-	SaveHeadBlockRoot(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) error
-	GenesisBlock(ctx context.Context) (*ethpb.SignedBeaconBlock, error)
 	SaveGenesisBlockRoot(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) error
-	IsFinalizedBlock(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) bool
 	// Validator related methods.
-	ValidatorIndex(ctx context.Context, publicKey []byte) (uint64, bool, error)
-	HasValidatorIndex(ctx context.Context, publicKey []byte) bool
 	DeleteValidatorIndex(ctx context.Context, publicKey []byte) error
 	SaveValidatorIndex(ctx context.Context, publicKey []byte, validatorIdx uint64) error
 	SaveValidatorIndices(ctx context.Context, publicKeys [][]byte, validatorIndices []uint64) error
 	// State related methods.
-	State(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) (*ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1.BeaconState, error)
-	HeadState(ctx context.Context) (*ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1.BeaconState, error)
-	GenesisState(ctx context.Context) (*ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1.BeaconState, error)
 	SaveState(ctx context.Context, state *ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1.BeaconState, blockRoot [32]byte) error
 	DeleteState(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) error
 	DeleteStates(ctx context.Context, blockRoots [][32]byte) error
-	HasState(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) bool
 	// Slashing operations.
-	ProposerSlashing(ctx context.Context, slashingRoot [32]byte) (*eth.ProposerSlashing, error)
-	AttesterSlashing(ctx context.Context, slashingRoot [32]byte) (*eth.AttesterSlashing, error)
 	SaveProposerSlashing(ctx context.Context, slashing *eth.ProposerSlashing) error
 	SaveAttesterSlashing(ctx context.Context, slashing *eth.AttesterSlashing) error
-	HasProposerSlashing(ctx context.Context, slashingRoot [32]byte) bool
-	HasAttesterSlashing(ctx context.Context, slashingRoot [32]byte) bool
 	DeleteProposerSlashing(ctx context.Context, slashingRoot [32]byte) error
 	DeleteAttesterSlashing(ctx context.Context, slashingRoot [32]byte) error
 	// Block operations.
-	VoluntaryExit(ctx context.Context, exitRoot [32]byte) (*eth.VoluntaryExit, error)
 	SaveVoluntaryExit(ctx context.Context, exit *eth.VoluntaryExit) error
-	HasVoluntaryExit(ctx context.Context, exitRoot [32]byte) bool
 	DeleteVoluntaryExit(ctx context.Context, exitRoot [32]byte) error
 	// Checkpoint operations.
-	JustifiedCheckpoint(ctx context.Context) (*eth.Checkpoint, error)
-	FinalizedCheckpoint(ctx context.Context) (*eth.Checkpoint, error)
 	SaveJustifiedCheckpoint(ctx context.Context, checkpoint *eth.Checkpoint) error
 	SaveFinalizedCheckpoint(ctx context.Context, checkpoint *eth.Checkpoint) error
 	// Archival data handlers for storing/retrieving historical beacon node information.
-	ArchivedActiveValidatorChanges(ctx context.Context, epoch uint64) (*ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1.ArchivedActiveSetChanges, error)
 	SaveArchivedActiveValidatorChanges(ctx context.Context, epoch uint64, changes *ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1.ArchivedActiveSetChanges) error
-	ArchivedCommitteeInfo(ctx context.Context, epoch uint64) (*ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1.ArchivedCommitteeInfo, error)
 	SaveArchivedCommitteeInfo(ctx context.Context, epoch uint64, info *ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1.ArchivedCommitteeInfo) error
-	ArchivedBalances(ctx context.Context, epoch uint64) ([]uint64, error)
 	SaveArchivedBalances(ctx context.Context, epoch uint64, balances []uint64) error
-	ArchivedValidatorParticipation(ctx context.Context, epoch uint64) (*eth.ValidatorParticipation, error)
 	SaveArchivedValidatorParticipation(ctx context.Context, epoch uint64, part *eth.ValidatorParticipation) error
 	// Deposit contract related handlers.
-	DepositContractAddress(ctx context.Context) ([]byte, error)
 	SaveDepositContractAddress(ctx context.Context, addr common.Address) error
-	//Powchain operations
-	PowchainData(ctx context.Context) (*db.ETH1ChainData, error)
+	// Powchain operations.
 	SavePowchainData(ctx context.Context, data *db.ETH1ChainData) error
 }
+
+// HeadAccessDatabase -- See github.com/prysmaticlabs/prysm/beacon-chain/db.HeadAccessDatabase
+type HeadAccessDatabase interface {
+	NoHeadAccessDatabase
+
+	// Block related methods.
+	HeadBlock(ctx context.Context) (*eth.SignedBeaconBlock, error)
+	SaveHeadBlockRoot(ctx context.Context, blockRoot [32]byte) error
+	// State related methods.
+	HeadState(ctx context.Context) (*ethereum_beacon_p2p_v1.BeaconState, error)
+}
+
+// Database -- See github.com/prysmaticlabs/prysm/beacon-chain/db.Database
+type Database interface {
+	io.Closer
+	HeadAccessDatabase
+
+	DatabasePath() string
+	ClearDB() error
+
+	// Backup and restore methods
+	Backup(ctx context.Context) error
+}
diff --git a/beacon-chain/interop-cold-start/service.go b/beacon-chain/interop-cold-start/service.go
index f86cce451..ab0b2ab96 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/interop-cold-start/service.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/interop-cold-start/service.go
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ type Service struct {
 	cancel             context.CancelFunc
 	genesisTime        uint64
 	numValidators      uint64
-	beaconDB           db.Database
+	beaconDB           db.HeadAccessDatabase
 	powchain           powchain.Service
 	depositCache       *depositcache.DepositCache
 	genesisPath        string
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ type Service struct {
 type Config struct {
 	GenesisTime   uint64
 	NumValidators uint64
-	BeaconDB      db.Database
+	BeaconDB      db.HeadAccessDatabase
 	DepositCache  *depositcache.DepositCache
 	GenesisPath   string
 }
diff --git a/beacon-chain/powchain/service.go b/beacon-chain/powchain/service.go
index 3489bedf9..841ef92d2 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/powchain/service.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/powchain/service.go
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ type Service struct {
 	depositRoot             []byte
 	depositTrie             *trieutil.SparseMerkleTrie
 	chainStartData          *protodb.ChainStartData
-	beaconDB                db.Database
+	beaconDB                db.HeadAccessDatabase // Circular dep if using HeadFetcher.
 	depositCache            *depositcache.DepositCache
 	lastReceivedMerkleIndex int64 // Keeps track of the last received index to prevent log spam.
 	isRunning               bool
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ type Web3ServiceConfig struct {
 	ETH1Endpoint    string
 	HTTPEndPoint    string
 	DepositContract common.Address
-	BeaconDB        db.Database
+	BeaconDB        db.HeadAccessDatabase
 	DepositCache    *depositcache.DepositCache
 	StateNotifier   statefeed.Notifier
 }
diff --git a/beacon-chain/rpc/aggregator/server.go b/beacon-chain/rpc/aggregator/server.go
index cce61a2c4..f377acc71 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/rpc/aggregator/server.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/rpc/aggregator/server.go
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func init() {
 
 // Server defines a server implementation of the gRPC aggregator service.
 type Server struct {
-	BeaconDB    db.Database
+	BeaconDB    db.ReadOnlyDatabase
 	HeadFetcher blockchain.HeadFetcher
 	SyncChecker sync.Checker
 	AttPool     attestations.Pool
diff --git a/beacon-chain/rpc/aggregator/server_test.go b/beacon-chain/rpc/aggregator/server_test.go
index 6c13c0537..06b8df0fa 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/rpc/aggregator/server_test.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/rpc/aggregator/server_test.go
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ func TestSubmitAggregateAndProof_IsAggregator(t *testing.T) {
 	sig := priv.Sign([]byte{'A'}, 0)
 	pubKey := pubKey(1)
 	req := &pb.AggregationRequest{CommitteeIndex: 1, SlotSignature: sig.Marshal(), PublicKey: pubKey}
-	if err := aggregatorServer.BeaconDB.SaveValidatorIndex(ctx, pubKey, 100); err != nil {
+	if err := db.SaveValidatorIndex(ctx, pubKey, 100); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ func TestSubmitAggregateAndProof_AggregateOk(t *testing.T) {
 	sig := priv.Sign([]byte{'B'}, 0)
 	pubKey := pubKey(2)
 	req := &pb.AggregationRequest{CommitteeIndex: 1, SlotSignature: sig.Marshal(), PublicKey: pubKey}
-	if err := aggregatorServer.BeaconDB.SaveValidatorIndex(ctx, pubKey, 100); err != nil {
+	if err := db.SaveValidatorIndex(ctx, pubKey, 100); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ func TestSubmitAggregateAndProof_AggregateNotOk(t *testing.T) {
 	sig := priv.Sign([]byte{'B'}, 0)
 	pubKey := pubKey(2)
 	req := &pb.AggregationRequest{CommitteeIndex: 1, SlotSignature: sig.Marshal(), PublicKey: pubKey}
-	if err := aggregatorServer.BeaconDB.SaveValidatorIndex(ctx, pubKey, 100); err != nil {
+	if err := db.SaveValidatorIndex(ctx, pubKey, 100); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
diff --git a/beacon-chain/rpc/beacon/server.go b/beacon-chain/rpc/beacon/server.go
index fbbcafef9..91e368ea5 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/rpc/beacon/server.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/rpc/beacon/server.go
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import (
 // providing RPC endpoints to access data relevant to the Ethereum 2.0 phase 0
 // beacon chain.
 type Server struct {
-	BeaconDB             db.Database
+	BeaconDB             db.ReadOnlyDatabase
 	Ctx                  context.Context
 	ChainStartFetcher    powchain.ChainStartFetcher
 	HeadFetcher          blockchain.HeadFetcher
diff --git a/beacon-chain/rpc/node/server.go b/beacon-chain/rpc/node/server.go
index b8d3f4eb4..1fe12ea18 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/rpc/node/server.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/rpc/node/server.go
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ import (
 type Server struct {
 	SyncChecker        sync.Checker
 	Server             *grpc.Server
-	BeaconDB           db.Database
+	BeaconDB           db.ReadOnlyDatabase
 	PeersFetcher       p2p.PeersProvider
 	GenesisTimeFetcher blockchain.GenesisTimeFetcher
 }
diff --git a/beacon-chain/rpc/service.go b/beacon-chain/rpc/service.go
index d17c34f13..978978efa 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/rpc/service.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/rpc/service.go
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ func init() {
 type Service struct {
 	ctx                    context.Context
 	cancel                 context.CancelFunc
-	beaconDB               db.Database
+	beaconDB               db.ReadOnlyDatabase
 	headFetcher            blockchain.HeadFetcher
 	forkFetcher            blockchain.ForkFetcher
 	finalizationFetcher    blockchain.FinalizationFetcher
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ type Config struct {
 	Port                  string
 	CertFlag              string
 	KeyFlag               string
-	BeaconDB              db.Database
+	BeaconDB              db.ReadOnlyDatabase
 	HeadFetcher           blockchain.HeadFetcher
 	ForkFetcher           blockchain.ForkFetcher
 	FinalizationFetcher   blockchain.FinalizationFetcher
diff --git a/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/attester.go b/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/attester.go
index 5a6e09ca7..643ce337f 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/attester.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/attester.go
@@ -56,18 +56,11 @@ func (vs *Server) GetAttestationData(ctx context.Context, req *ethpb.Attestation
 		}
 	}()
 
-	headState, err := vs.BeaconDB.HeadState(ctx)
+	headState, err := vs.HeadFetcher.HeadState(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, status.Errorf(codes.Internal, "Could not retrieve head state: %v", err)
 	}
-	headBlock, err := vs.BeaconDB.HeadBlock(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, status.Errorf(codes.Internal, "Could not retrieve head block: %v", err)
-	}
-	headRoot, err := ssz.HashTreeRoot(headBlock.Block)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, status.Errorf(codes.Internal, "Could not hash head block: %v", err)
-	}
+	headRoot := vs.HeadFetcher.HeadRoot()
 
 	if helpers.CurrentEpoch(headState) < helpers.SlotToEpoch(req.Slot) {
 		headState, err = state.ProcessSlots(ctx, headState, req.Slot)
diff --git a/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/attester_test.go b/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/attester_test.go
index 09a451d92..cedb00f57 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/attester_test.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/attester_test.go
@@ -158,13 +158,13 @@ func TestGetAttestationData_OK(t *testing.T) {
 		AttestationCache: cache.NewAttestationCache(),
 		HeadFetcher:      &mock.ChainService{State: beaconState, Root: blockRoot[:]},
 	}
-	if err := attesterServer.BeaconDB.SaveState(ctx, beaconState, blockRoot); err != nil {
+	if err := db.SaveState(ctx, beaconState, blockRoot); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if err := attesterServer.BeaconDB.SaveBlock(ctx, &ethpb.SignedBeaconBlock{Block: block}); err != nil {
+	if err := db.SaveBlock(ctx, &ethpb.SignedBeaconBlock{Block: block}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if err := attesterServer.BeaconDB.SaveHeadBlockRoot(ctx, blockRoot); err != nil {
+	if err := db.SaveHeadBlockRoot(ctx, blockRoot); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -263,13 +263,13 @@ func TestAttestationDataAtSlot_handlesFarAwayJustifiedEpoch(t *testing.T) {
 		HeadFetcher:      &mock.ChainService{State: beaconState, Root: blockRoot[:]},
 		SyncChecker:      &mockSync.Sync{IsSyncing: false},
 	}
-	if err := attesterServer.BeaconDB.SaveState(ctx, beaconState, blockRoot); err != nil {
+	if err := db.SaveState(ctx, beaconState, blockRoot); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if err := attesterServer.BeaconDB.SaveBlock(ctx, &ethpb.SignedBeaconBlock{Block: block}); err != nil {
+	if err := db.SaveBlock(ctx, &ethpb.SignedBeaconBlock{Block: block}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if err := attesterServer.BeaconDB.SaveHeadBlockRoot(ctx, blockRoot); err != nil {
+	if err := db.SaveHeadBlockRoot(ctx, blockRoot); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
diff --git a/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/proposer.go b/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/proposer.go
index 2706a04ec..dd7ee5d7e 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/proposer.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/proposer.go
@@ -36,15 +36,7 @@ func (vs *Server) GetBlock(ctx context.Context, req *ethpb.BlockRequest) (*ethpb
 	}
 
 	// Retrieve the parent block as the current head of the canonical chain.
-	parent, err := vs.BeaconDB.HeadBlock(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	parentRoot, err := ssz.HashTreeRoot(parent.Block)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, status.Errorf(codes.Internal, "Could not get parent block signing root: %v", err)
-	}
+	parentRoot := vs.HeadFetcher.HeadRoot()
 
 	eth1Data, err := vs.eth1Data(ctx, req.Slot)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -340,7 +332,7 @@ func (vs *Server) filterAttestationsForBlockInclusion(ctx context.Context, slot
 	validAtts := make([]*ethpb.Attestation, 0, len(atts))
 	inValidAtts := make([]*ethpb.Attestation, 0, len(atts))
 
-	bState, err := vs.BeaconDB.HeadState(ctx)
+	bState, err := vs.HeadFetcher.HeadState(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.New("could not head state from DB")
 	}
diff --git a/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/proposer_test.go b/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/proposer_test.go
index 259f512d7..54024be6d 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/proposer_test.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/proposer_test.go
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ func TestProposeBlock_OK(t *testing.T) {
 			Body:       &ethpb.BeaconBlockBody{},
 		},
 	}
-	if err := proposerServer.BeaconDB.SaveBlock(ctx, req); err != nil {
+	if err := db.SaveBlock(ctx, req); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if _, err := proposerServer.ProposeBlock(context.Background(), req); err != nil {
@@ -1026,8 +1026,9 @@ func TestFilterAttestation_OK(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	proposerServer := &Server{
-		BeaconDB: db,
-		AttPool:  attestations.NewPool(),
+		BeaconDB:    db,
+		AttPool:     attestations.NewPool(),
+		HeadFetcher: &mock.ChainService{State: state, Root: genesisRoot[:]},
 	}
 
 	atts := make([]*ethpb.Attestation, 10)
diff --git a/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/server.go b/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/server.go
index 61e885c98..a3161df34 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/server.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/server.go
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ func init() {
 // and more.
 type Server struct {
 	Ctx                    context.Context
-	BeaconDB               db.Database
+	BeaconDB               db.ReadOnlyDatabase
 	AttestationCache       *cache.AttestationCache
 	HeadFetcher            blockchain.HeadFetcher
 	ForkFetcher            blockchain.ForkFetcher
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ func (vs *Server) CanonicalHead(ctx context.Context, req *ptypes.Empty) (*ethpb.
 // subscribes to an event stream triggered by the powchain service whenever the ChainStart log does
 // occur in the Deposit Contract on ETH 1.0.
 func (vs *Server) WaitForChainStart(req *ptypes.Empty, stream ethpb.BeaconNodeValidator_WaitForChainStartServer) error {
-	head, err := vs.BeaconDB.HeadState(context.Background())
+	head, err := vs.HeadFetcher.HeadState(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
 		return status.Errorf(codes.Internal, "Could not retrieve head state: %v", err)
 	}
diff --git a/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/server_test.go b/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/server_test.go
index df4a96661..b89c8021c 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/server_test.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/rpc/validator/server_test.go
@@ -228,6 +228,7 @@ func TestWaitForChainStart_ContextClosed(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		StateNotifier: chainService.StateNotifier(),
 		BeaconDB:      db,
+		HeadFetcher:   chainService,
 	}
 
 	exitRoutine := make(chan bool)
@@ -256,7 +257,7 @@ func TestWaitForChainStart_AlreadyStarted(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	chainService := &mockChain.ChainService{}
+	chainService := &mockChain.ChainService{State: &pbp2p.BeaconState{Slot: 3}}
 	Server := &Server{
 		Ctx: context.Background(),
 		ChainStartFetcher: &mockPOW.POWChain{
@@ -264,6 +265,7 @@ func TestWaitForChainStart_AlreadyStarted(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		BeaconDB:      db,
 		StateNotifier: chainService.StateNotifier(),
+		HeadFetcher:   chainService,
 	}
 	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
 	defer ctrl.Finish()
@@ -292,6 +294,7 @@ func TestWaitForChainStart_NotStartedThenLogFired(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		BeaconDB:      db,
 		StateNotifier: chainService.StateNotifier(),
+		HeadFetcher:   chainService,
 	}
 	exitRoutine := make(chan bool)
 	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
diff --git a/beacon-chain/sync/initial-sync/service.go b/beacon-chain/sync/initial-sync/service.go
index 96acb040b..9567257bc 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/sync/initial-sync/service.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/sync/initial-sync/service.go
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ const (
 // Config to set up the initial sync service.
 type Config struct {
 	P2P           p2p.P2P
-	DB            db.Database
+	DB            db.ReadOnlyDatabase
 	Chain         blockchainService
 	StateNotifier statefeed.Notifier
 }
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ type Service struct {
 	ctx           context.Context
 	chain         blockchainService
 	p2p           p2p.P2P
-	db            db.Database
+	db            db.ReadOnlyDatabase
 	synced        bool
 	chainStarted  bool
 	stateNotifier statefeed.Notifier
diff --git a/beacon-chain/sync/service.go b/beacon-chain/sync/service.go
index 58e0272a7..27eb96cb6 100644
--- a/beacon-chain/sync/service.go
+++ b/beacon-chain/sync/service.go
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ var _ = shared.Service(&Service{})
 // Config to set up the regular sync service.
 type Config struct {
 	P2P           p2p.P2P
-	DB            db.Database
+	DB            db.NoHeadAccessDatabase
 	AttPool       attestations.Pool
 	Chain         blockchainService
 	InitialSync   Checker
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ type Service struct {
 	ctx                 context.Context
 	cancel              context.CancelFunc
 	p2p                 p2p.P2P
-	db                  db.Database
+	db                  db.NoHeadAccessDatabase
 	attPool             attestations.Pool
 	chain               blockchainService
 	slotToPendingBlocks map[uint64]*ethpb.SignedBeaconBlock