diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index eb3ed33..be9cf36 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -847,15 +847,15 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "ant-core"
-version = "0.1.1"
+version = "0.2.0"
 dependencies = [
  "alloy",
  "ant-node",
+ "ant-protocol",
  "anyhow",
  "async-stream",
  "axum",
  "bytes",
- "evmlib",
  "flate2",
  "fs2",
  "futures",
@@ -869,7 +869,6 @@ dependencies = [
  "rand 0.8.6",
  "reqwest 0.12.28",
  "rmp-serde",
- "saorsa-pqc 0.5.1",
  "self-replace",
  "self_encryption",
  "semver 1.0.28",
@@ -903,11 +902,11 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "ant-node"
-version = "0.10.1"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "dac042e69f7dff2136deee542d66fceb5631474869ea4da9875185a9ad3329cc"
+version = "0.11.0"
+source = "git+https://github.com/WithAutonomi/ant-node?branch=anselme%2Fextract-ant-protocol#dd076513cbed325c5edd72924ba5c7de387e57e0"
 dependencies = [
  "aes-gcm-siv",
+ "ant-protocol",
  "blake3",
  "bytes",
  "chrono",
@@ -951,6 +950,24 @@ dependencies = [
  "zip",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "ant-protocol"
+version = "2.0.0"
+source = "git+https://github.com/WithAutonomi/ant-protocol?rev=597dbdb1b680a43d80a082d77076ff2080444079#597dbdb1b680a43d80a082d77076ff2080444079"
+dependencies = [
+ "blake3",
+ "bytes",
+ "evmlib",
+ "hex",
+ "postcard",
+ "rmp-serde",
+ "saorsa-core",
+ "saorsa-pqc 0.5.1",
+ "serde",
+ "tokio",
+ "tracing",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "anyhow"
 version = "1.0.102"
@@ -4486,7 +4503,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "once_cell",
  "socket2 0.6.3",
  "tracing",
- "windows-sys 0.60.2",
+ "windows-sys 0.59.0",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -6934,15 +6951,6 @@ dependencies = [
  "windows-targets 0.52.6",
 ]
 
-[[package]]
-name = "windows-sys"
-version = "0.60.2"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "f2f500e4d28234f72040990ec9d39e3a6b950f9f22d3dba18416c35882612bcb"
-dependencies = [
- "windows-targets 0.53.5",
-]
-
 [[package]]
 name = "windows-sys"
 version = "0.61.2"
@@ -6991,30 +6999,13 @@ dependencies = [
  "windows_aarch64_gnullvm 0.52.6",
  "windows_aarch64_msvc 0.52.6",
  "windows_i686_gnu 0.52.6",
- "windows_i686_gnullvm 0.52.6",
+ "windows_i686_gnullvm",
  "windows_i686_msvc 0.52.6",
  "windows_x86_64_gnu 0.52.6",
  "windows_x86_64_gnullvm 0.52.6",
  "windows_x86_64_msvc 0.52.6",
 ]
 
-[[package]]
-name = "windows-targets"
-version = "0.53.5"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "4945f9f551b88e0d65f3db0bc25c33b8acea4d9e41163edf90dcd0b19f9069f3"
-dependencies = [
- "windows-link",
- "windows_aarch64_gnullvm 0.53.1",
- "windows_aarch64_msvc 0.53.1",
- "windows_i686_gnu 0.53.1",
- "windows_i686_gnullvm 0.53.1",
- "windows_i686_msvc 0.53.1",
- "windows_x86_64_gnu 0.53.1",
- "windows_x86_64_gnullvm 0.53.1",
- "windows_x86_64_msvc 0.53.1",
-]
-
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_aarch64_gnullvm"
 version = "0.42.2"
@@ -7033,12 +7024,6 @@ version = "0.52.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "32a4622180e7a0ec044bb555404c800bc9fd9ec262ec147edd5989ccd0c02cd3"
 
-[[package]]
-name = "windows_aarch64_gnullvm"
-version = "0.53.1"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "a9d8416fa8b42f5c947f8482c43e7d89e73a173cead56d044f6a56104a6d1b53"
-
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_aarch64_msvc"
 version = "0.42.2"
@@ -7057,12 +7042,6 @@ version = "0.52.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "09ec2a7bb152e2252b53fa7803150007879548bc709c039df7627cabbd05d469"
 
-[[package]]
-name = "windows_aarch64_msvc"
-version = "0.53.1"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "b9d782e804c2f632e395708e99a94275910eb9100b2114651e04744e9b125006"
-
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_i686_gnu"
 version = "0.42.2"
@@ -7081,24 +7060,12 @@ version = "0.52.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "8e9b5ad5ab802e97eb8e295ac6720e509ee4c243f69d781394014ebfe8bbfa0b"
 
-[[package]]
-name = "windows_i686_gnu"
-version = "0.53.1"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "960e6da069d81e09becb0ca57a65220ddff016ff2d6af6a223cf372a506593a3"
-
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_i686_gnullvm"
 version = "0.52.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "0eee52d38c090b3caa76c563b86c3a4bd71ef1a819287c19d586d7334ae8ed66"
 
-[[package]]
-name = "windows_i686_gnullvm"
-version = "0.53.1"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "fa7359d10048f68ab8b09fa71c3daccfb0e9b559aed648a8f95469c27057180c"
-
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_i686_msvc"
 version = "0.42.2"
@@ -7117,12 +7084,6 @@ version = "0.52.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "240948bc05c5e7c6dabba28bf89d89ffce3e303022809e73deaefe4f6ec56c66"
 
-[[package]]
-name = "windows_i686_msvc"
-version = "0.53.1"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "1e7ac75179f18232fe9c285163565a57ef8d3c89254a30685b57d83a38d326c2"
-
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_x86_64_gnu"
 version = "0.42.2"
@@ -7141,12 +7102,6 @@ version = "0.52.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "147a5c80aabfbf0c7d901cb5895d1de30ef2907eb21fbbab29ca94c5b08b1a78"
 
-[[package]]
-name = "windows_x86_64_gnu"
-version = "0.53.1"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "9c3842cdd74a865a8066ab39c8a7a473c0778a3f29370b5fd6b4b9aa7df4a499"
-
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_x86_64_gnullvm"
 version = "0.42.2"
@@ -7165,12 +7120,6 @@ version = "0.52.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "24d5b23dc417412679681396f2b49f3de8c1473deb516bd34410872eff51ed0d"
 
-[[package]]
-name = "windows_x86_64_gnullvm"
-version = "0.53.1"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "0ffa179e2d07eee8ad8f57493436566c7cc30ac536a3379fdf008f47f6bb7ae1"
-
 [[package]]
 name = "windows_x86_64_msvc"
 version = "0.42.2"
@@ -7189,12 +7138,6 @@ version = "0.52.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "589f6da84c646204747d1270a2a5661ea66ed1cced2631d546fdfb155959f9ec"
 
-[[package]]
-name = "windows_x86_64_msvc"
-version = "0.53.1"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "d6bbff5f0aada427a1e5a6da5f1f98158182f26556f345ac9e04d36d0ebed650"
-
 [[package]]
 name = "winnow"
 version = "0.7.15"
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index f3978b2..cca943d 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
 [workspace]
 members = ["ant-core", "ant-cli"]
 resolver = "2"
+
+# While ant-protocol 2.0.0 and ant-node 0.11.0 are unpublished, resolve
+# both through git pins against their open PR branches. Remove this
+# block when both crates are on crates.io.
+[patch.crates-io]
+ant-protocol = { git = "https://github.com/WithAutonomi/ant-protocol", rev = "597dbdb1b680a43d80a082d77076ff2080444079" }
+ant-node = { git = "https://github.com/WithAutonomi/ant-node", branch = "anselme/extract-ant-protocol" }
diff --git a/ant-core/CHANGELOG.md b/ant-core/CHANGELOG.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc39515
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ant-core/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+# Changelog
+
+All notable changes to the `ant-core` library will be documented in this file.
+
+The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/),
+and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
+
+## [0.2.0] — Unreleased
+
+This release decouples `ant-core` from `ant-node` at runtime. The wire
+protocol was extracted into the new [`ant-protocol`] crate; `ant-core`
+now depends on `ant-protocol` and keeps `ant-node` only as an optional
+dependency (for `LocalDevnet`) and a dev-dependency (for the test
+harness that spins up real nodes).
+
+[`ant-protocol`]: https://crates.io/crates/ant-protocol
+
+### Breaking
+
+- **`ant-node` is no longer a default runtime dependency.** The
+  `LocalDevnet` wrapper and its types (`DevnetManifest` re-export) now
+  require `features = ["devnet"]`. Downstream `Cargo.toml`:
+  ```toml
+  ant-core = { version = "0.2", features = ["devnet"] }
+  ```
+- `Client::with_evm_network` now takes `ant_protocol::evm::Network`
+  instead of `evmlib::Network`. Both paths resolve to the same
+  underlying type (`ant_protocol::evm` is a re-export of `evmlib`), so
+  the fix for downstream callers is a one-line path change.
+- `impl From<ant_node::Error> for Error` has been removed. Call sites
+  that used `?` to propagate an `ant_node::Error` into an `ant-core`
+  `Error` must now map explicitly:
+  ```rust
+  foo().await.map_err(|e| Error::Network(e.to_string()))?;
+  ```
+- `ant_core::data::LocalDevnet` is now behind the `devnet` feature.
+  Code that previously imported it unconditionally must either enable
+  the feature or use the `DevnetManifest` type alone (available
+  unconditionally via `ant_core::data::DevnetManifest`).
+
+### Changed
+
+- `ant-core` no longer declares direct dependencies on `evmlib`,
+  `saorsa-core`, or `saorsa-pqc`. Those transitive dependencies are
+  consumed through `ant_protocol::{evm, transport, pqc}` so Cargo
+  enforces a single version pin shared with `ant-node`.
+- `DevnetManifest` and `DevnetEvmInfo` moved to
+  `ant_protocol::devnet_manifest`. The `ant_core::data::DevnetManifest`
+  path is unchanged; only the origin crate differs. The on-disk JSON
+  format is byte-for-byte compatible.
+- All internal `ant_node::{ant_protocol, client, payment}::*` imports
+  rewritten to `ant_protocol::*` paths.
+
+### Added
+
+- `devnet` feature flag (off by default) that pulls in `ant-node` as an
+  optional runtime dependency to enable `LocalDevnet`.
diff --git a/ant-core/Cargo.toml b/ant-core/Cargo.toml
index e15abd7..64a1206 100644
--- a/ant-core/Cargo.toml
+++ b/ant-core/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "ant-core"
-version = "0.1.1"
+version = "0.2.0"
 edition = "2021"
 
 [dependencies]
@@ -27,7 +27,12 @@ zip = "2"
 tower-http = { version = "0.6.8", features = ["cors"] }
 
 # Data operations
-evmlib = "0.8"
+# Wire protocol crate: gives us `ant_protocol::{chunk, payment, …}` plus
+# re-exports of `evmlib`, `saorsa-core` (transport), and `saorsa-pqc`
+# under `ant_protocol::{evm, transport, pqc}`. This is the ONE pin for
+# those three deps — do not add direct evmlib/saorsa-core/saorsa-pqc
+# deps here or the version can skew between ant-client and ant-node.
+ant-protocol = "2"
 xor_name = "5"
 self_encryption = "0.35.0"
 futures = "0.3"
@@ -38,8 +43,10 @@ tracing = "0.1"
 bytes = "1"
 lru = "0.16"
 rand = "0.8"
-ant-node = "0.10.1"
-saorsa-pqc = "0.5"
+# ant-node is optional. It is only linked for the `LocalDevnet` wrapper
+# that spawns a local in-process network for development and testing.
+# Enable with `--features devnet`.
+ant-node = { version = "0.11", optional = true }
 tracing-subscriber = { version = "0.3", features = ["env-filter"] }
 
 [target.'cfg(unix)'.dependencies]
@@ -52,7 +59,20 @@ openssl = { version = "0.10", features = ["vendored"] }
 [target.'cfg(windows)'.dependencies]
 windows-sys = { version = "0.61", features = ["Win32_Foundation", "Win32_System_Console", "Win32_System_Threading"] }
 
+[features]
+# No features enabled by default — consumers that want to spawn a local
+# devnet opt in with `features = ["devnet"]`.
+default = []
+# Enable `LocalDevnet` (ant-core/src/node/devnet.rs) which wraps
+# `ant_node::devnet::Devnet` and an Anvil EVM testnet.
+devnet = ["dep:ant-node"]
+
 [dev-dependencies]
+# Test infrastructure in tests/support/mod.rs spawns real ant-nodes
+# in-process to exercise the wire protocol end-to-end. ant-node is a
+# dev-dep here (separate from the optional runtime dep above) so tests
+# always compile even without the `devnet` feature.
+ant-node = "0.11"
 serial_test = "3"
 anyhow = "1"
 alloy = { version = "1.6", features = ["node-bindings"] }
@@ -61,6 +81,10 @@ tokio-test = "0.4"
 [[example]]
 name = "start-local-devnet"
 path = "examples/start-local-devnet.rs"
+# `LocalDevnet` (and therefore this example) is gated behind `devnet`.
+# Running under default features would produce a confusing "LocalDevnet
+# not found" error, so require the feature explicitly.
+required-features = ["devnet"]
 
 [[test]]
 name = "e2e_chunk"
diff --git a/ant-core/src/data/client/batch.rs b/ant-core/src/data/client/batch.rs
index ff3c575..80e0450 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/data/client/batch.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/data/client/batch.rs
@@ -8,14 +8,16 @@ use crate::data::client::file::UploadEvent;
 use crate::data::client::payment::peer_id_to_encoded;
 use crate::data::client::Client;
 use crate::data::error::{Error, Result};
-use ant_node::ant_protocol::DATA_TYPE_CHUNK;
-use ant_node::client::{compute_address, XorName};
-use ant_node::core::{MultiAddr, PeerId};
-use ant_node::payment::{serialize_single_node_proof, PaymentProof, SingleNodePayment};
+use ant_protocol::evm::{
+    Amount, EncodedPeerId, PayForQuotesError, PaymentQuote, ProofOfPayment, QuoteHash,
+    RewardsAddress, TxHash,
+};
+use ant_protocol::transport::{MultiAddr, PeerId};
+use ant_protocol::{
+    compute_address, serialize_single_node_proof, PaymentProof, SingleNodePayment, XorName,
+    DATA_TYPE_CHUNK,
+};
 use bytes::Bytes;
-use evmlib::common::{Amount, QuoteHash, TxHash};
-use evmlib::wallet::PayForQuotesError;
-use evmlib::{EncodedPeerId, PaymentQuote, ProofOfPayment, RewardsAddress};
 use futures::stream::{self, StreamExt};
 use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
 use std::time::Duration;
@@ -628,8 +630,7 @@ mod send_assertions {
 #[allow(clippy::unwrap_used)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
-    use ant_node::payment::single_node::QuotePaymentInfo;
-    use ant_node::CLOSE_GROUP_SIZE;
+    use ant_protocol::{QuotePaymentInfo, CLOSE_GROUP_SIZE};
 
     /// Median index in the quotes array.
     const MEDIAN_INDEX: usize = CLOSE_GROUP_SIZE / 2;
diff --git a/ant-core/src/data/client/cache.rs b/ant-core/src/data/client/cache.rs
index 3e8957e..893d6c3 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/data/client/cache.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/data/client/cache.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 //! Caches recently fetched chunks in memory to avoid re-fetching
 //! the same content-addressed data from the network.
 
-use ant_node::client::XorName;
+use ant_protocol::XorName;
 use bytes::Bytes;
 use lru::LruCache;
 use std::num::NonZeroUsize;
diff --git a/ant-core/src/data/client/chunk.rs b/ant-core/src/data/client/chunk.rs
index 592e6a0..4b00f1c 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/data/client/chunk.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/data/client/chunk.rs
@@ -5,13 +5,12 @@
 
 use crate::data::client::Client;
 use crate::data::error::{Error, Result};
-use ant_node::ant_protocol::{
-    ChunkGetRequest, ChunkGetResponse, ChunkMessage, ChunkMessageBody, ChunkPutRequest,
-    ChunkPutResponse,
+use ant_protocol::transport::{MultiAddr, PeerId};
+use ant_protocol::{
+    compute_address, send_and_await_chunk_response, ChunkGetRequest, ChunkGetResponse,
+    ChunkMessage, ChunkMessageBody, ChunkPutRequest, ChunkPutResponse, DataChunk, XorName,
+    CLOSE_GROUP_MAJORITY,
 };
-use ant_node::client::{compute_address, send_and_await_chunk_response, DataChunk, XorName};
-use ant_node::core::{MultiAddr, PeerId};
-use ant_node::CLOSE_GROUP_MAJORITY;
 use bytes::Bytes;
 use futures::stream::{FuturesUnordered, StreamExt};
 use std::future::Future;
diff --git a/ant-core/src/data/client/data.rs b/ant-core/src/data/client/data.rs
index 8c588dc..4c6534e 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/data/client/data.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/data/client/data.rs
@@ -11,8 +11,7 @@ use crate::data::client::file::{ExternalPaymentInfo, PreparedUpload};
 use crate::data::client::merkle::PaymentMode;
 use crate::data::client::Client;
 use crate::data::error::{Error, Result};
-use ant_node::ant_protocol::DATA_TYPE_CHUNK;
-use ant_node::client::compute_address;
+use ant_protocol::{compute_address, DATA_TYPE_CHUNK};
 use bytes::Bytes;
 use futures::stream::{self, StreamExt, TryStreamExt};
 use self_encryption::{decrypt, encrypt, DataMap, EncryptedChunk};
diff --git a/ant-core/src/data/client/file.rs b/ant-core/src/data/client/file.rs
index acc4c31..49d008f 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/data/client/file.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/data/client/file.rs
@@ -17,11 +17,9 @@ use crate::data::client::merkle::{
 };
 use crate::data::client::Client;
 use crate::data::error::{Error, Result};
-use ant_node::ant_protocol::DATA_TYPE_CHUNK;
-use ant_node::client::compute_address;
+use ant_protocol::evm::{QuoteHash, TxHash};
+use ant_protocol::{compute_address, DATA_TYPE_CHUNK};
 use bytes::Bytes;
-use evmlib::common::QuoteHash;
-use evmlib::common::TxHash;
 use fs2::FileExt;
 use futures::stream::{self, StreamExt};
 use self_encryption::{get_root_data_map_parallel, stream_encrypt, streaming_decrypt, DataMap};
@@ -898,7 +896,7 @@ impl Client {
         progress: Option<&mpsc::Sender<UploadEvent>>,
     ) -> Result<(usize, String, u128)> {
         let mut total_stored = 0usize;
-        let mut total_storage = evmlib::common::Amount::ZERO;
+        let mut total_storage = ant_protocol::evm::Amount::ZERO;
         let mut total_gas: u128 = 0;
         let total_chunks = spill.len();
         let waves: Vec<&[[u8; 32]]> = spill.waves().collect();
@@ -928,7 +926,7 @@ impl Client {
                 .batch_upload_chunks_with_events(wave_data, progress, total_stored, total_chunks)
                 .await?;
             total_stored += addresses.len();
-            if let Ok(cost) = wave_storage.parse::<evmlib::common::Amount>() {
+            if let Ok(cost) = wave_storage.parse::<ant_protocol::evm::Amount>() {
                 total_storage += cost;
             }
             total_gas = total_gas.saturating_add(wave_gas);
diff --git a/ant-core/src/data/client/merkle.rs b/ant-core/src/data/client/merkle.rs
index 1ef32b1..f7bf18d 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/data/client/merkle.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/data/client/merkle.rs
@@ -6,19 +6,15 @@
 
 use crate::data::client::Client;
 use crate::data::error::{Error, Result};
-use ant_node::ant_protocol::{
+use ant_protocol::evm::{
+    Amount, MerklePaymentCandidateNode, MerklePaymentCandidatePool, MerklePaymentProof, MerkleTree,
+    MidpointProof, PoolCommitment, CANDIDATES_PER_POOL, MAX_LEAVES,
+};
+use ant_protocol::{
+    send_and_await_chunk_response, serialize_merkle_proof, verify_merkle_candidate_signature,
     ChunkMessage, ChunkMessageBody, MerkleCandidateQuoteRequest, MerkleCandidateQuoteResponse,
 };
-use ant_node::client::send_and_await_chunk_response;
-use ant_node::payment::quote::verify_merkle_candidate_signature;
-use ant_node::payment::serialize_merkle_proof;
 use bytes::Bytes;
-use evmlib::common::Amount;
-use evmlib::merkle_batch_payment::PoolCommitment;
-use evmlib::merkle_payments::{
-    MerklePaymentCandidateNode, MerklePaymentCandidatePool, MerklePaymentProof, MerkleTree,
-    MidpointProof, CANDIDATES_PER_POOL, MAX_LEAVES,
-};
 use futures::stream::{self, FuturesUnordered, StreamExt};
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::time::Duration;
@@ -452,7 +448,7 @@ impl Client {
         futures: &mut FuturesUnordered<
             impl std::future::Future<
                 Output = (
-                    ant_node::core::PeerId,
+                    ant_protocol::transport::PeerId,
                     std::result::Result<MerklePaymentCandidateNode, Error>,
                 ),
             >,
@@ -623,9 +619,7 @@ mod send_assertions {
 #[allow(clippy::unwrap_used, clippy::expect_used, clippy::panic)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
-    use evmlib::common::Amount;
-    use evmlib::merkle_payments::{MerkleTree, CANDIDATES_PER_POOL};
-    use evmlib::RewardsAddress;
+    use ant_protocol::evm::{Amount, MerkleTree, RewardsAddress, CANDIDATES_PER_POOL};
 
     // =========================================================================
     // should_use_merkle (free function, no Client needed)
@@ -742,10 +736,8 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn test_merkle_proof_serialize_deserialize_roundtrip() {
-        use ant_node::payment::{deserialize_merkle_proof, serialize_merkle_proof};
-        use evmlib::common::Amount;
-        use evmlib::merkle_payments::MerklePaymentCandidateNode;
-        use evmlib::RewardsAddress;
+        use ant_protocol::evm::{Amount, MerklePaymentCandidateNode, RewardsAddress};
+        use ant_protocol::{deserialize_merkle_proof, serialize_merkle_proof};
 
         let addrs = make_test_addresses(4);
         let xornames: Vec<XorName> = addrs.iter().map(|a| XorName(*a)).collect();
@@ -802,8 +794,8 @@ mod tests {
         // Simulates what collect_validated_candidates checks
         let candidate = MerklePaymentCandidateNode {
             pub_key: vec![0u8; 32],
-            price: evmlib::common::Amount::ZERO,
-            reward_address: evmlib::RewardsAddress::new([0u8; 20]),
+            price: Amount::ZERO,
+            reward_address: RewardsAddress::new([0u8; 20]),
             merkle_payment_timestamp: 1000,
             signature: vec![0u8; 64],
         };
@@ -897,7 +889,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn test_finalize_merkle_batch_proofs_are_deserializable() {
-        use ant_node::payment::deserialize_merkle_proof;
+        use ant_protocol::deserialize_merkle_proof;
 
         let prepared = make_prepared_merkle_batch(8);
         let winner_hash = prepared.candidate_pools[0].hash();
diff --git a/ant-core/src/data/client/mod.rs b/ant-core/src/data/client/mod.rs
index ccce50d..bc1c6ca 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/data/client/mod.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/data/client/mod.rs
@@ -15,10 +15,9 @@ pub mod quote;
 use crate::data::client::cache::ChunkCache;
 use crate::data::error::{Error, Result};
 use crate::data::network::Network;
-use ant_node::client::XorName;
-use ant_node::core::{MultiAddr, P2PNode, PeerId};
-use ant_node::CLOSE_GROUP_SIZE;
-use evmlib::wallet::Wallet;
+use ant_protocol::evm::Wallet;
+use ant_protocol::transport::{MultiAddr, P2PNode, PeerId};
+use ant_protocol::{XorName, CLOSE_GROUP_SIZE};
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, Ordering};
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use tracing::debug;
@@ -101,7 +100,7 @@ pub struct Client {
     config: ClientConfig,
     network: Network,
     wallet: Option<Arc<Wallet>>,
-    evm_network: Option<evmlib::Network>,
+    evm_network: Option<ant_protocol::evm::Network>,
     chunk_cache: ChunkCache,
     next_request_id: AtomicU64,
 }
@@ -166,7 +165,7 @@ impl Client {
     /// This enables token approval and contract interactions
     /// for external-signer flows where the private key lives outside Rust.
     #[must_use]
-    pub fn with_evm_network(mut self, network: evmlib::Network) -> Self {
+    pub fn with_evm_network(mut self, network: ant_protocol::evm::Network) -> Self {
         self.evm_network = Some(network);
         self
     }
@@ -176,7 +175,7 @@ impl Client {
     /// # Errors
     ///
     /// Returns an error if neither `with_evm_network` nor `with_wallet` was called.
-    pub(crate) fn require_evm_network(&self) -> Result<&evmlib::Network> {
+    pub(crate) fn require_evm_network(&self) -> Result<&ant_protocol::evm::Network> {
         if let Some(ref net) = self.evm_network {
             return Ok(net);
         }
diff --git a/ant-core/src/data/client/payment.rs b/ant-core/src/data/client/payment.rs
index 651bdb6..ee487e6 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/data/client/payment.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/data/client/payment.rs
@@ -5,10 +5,9 @@
 
 use crate::data::client::Client;
 use crate::data::error::{Error, Result};
-use ant_node::core::{MultiAddr, PeerId};
-use ant_node::payment::{serialize_single_node_proof, PaymentProof, SingleNodePayment};
-use evmlib::wallet::Wallet;
-use evmlib::{EncodedPeerId, ProofOfPayment};
+use ant_protocol::evm::{EncodedPeerId, ProofOfPayment, Wallet};
+use ant_protocol::transport::{MultiAddr, PeerId};
+use ant_protocol::{serialize_single_node_proof, PaymentProof, SingleNodePayment};
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use tracing::{debug, info};
 
@@ -110,7 +109,7 @@ impl Client {
 
         let vault_address = evm_network.payment_vault_address();
         wallet
-            .approve_to_spend_tokens(*vault_address, evmlib::common::U256::MAX)
+            .approve_to_spend_tokens(*vault_address, ant_protocol::evm::U256::MAX)
             .await
             .map_err(|e| Error::Payment(format!("Token approval failed: {e}")))?;
         info!("Token spend approved for payment vault contract");
@@ -119,7 +118,8 @@ impl Client {
     }
 }
 
-/// Convert an ant-node `PeerId` to an `EncodedPeerId` for payment proofs.
+/// Convert a saorsa-core `PeerId` (re-exported via `ant_protocol::transport`)
+/// to an `EncodedPeerId` suitable for payment proofs.
 pub(crate) fn peer_id_to_encoded(peer_id: &PeerId) -> Result<EncodedPeerId> {
     Ok(EncodedPeerId::new(*peer_id.as_bytes()))
 }
diff --git a/ant-core/src/data/client/quote.rs b/ant-core/src/data/client/quote.rs
index 3e13626..7865cc6 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/data/client/quote.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/data/client/quote.rs
@@ -5,14 +5,12 @@
 
 use crate::data::client::Client;
 use crate::data::error::{Error, Result};
-use ant_node::ant_protocol::{
-    ChunkMessage, ChunkMessageBody, ChunkQuoteRequest, ChunkQuoteResponse,
+use ant_protocol::evm::{Amount, PaymentQuote};
+use ant_protocol::transport::{MultiAddr, PeerId};
+use ant_protocol::{
+    send_and_await_chunk_response, ChunkMessage, ChunkMessageBody, ChunkQuoteRequest,
+    ChunkQuoteResponse, CLOSE_GROUP_MAJORITY, CLOSE_GROUP_SIZE,
 };
-use ant_node::client::send_and_await_chunk_response;
-use ant_node::core::{MultiAddr, PeerId};
-use ant_node::{CLOSE_GROUP_MAJORITY, CLOSE_GROUP_SIZE};
-use evmlib::common::Amount;
-use evmlib::PaymentQuote;
 use futures::stream::{FuturesUnordered, StreamExt};
 use std::time::Duration;
 use tracing::{debug, warn};
diff --git a/ant-core/src/data/error.rs b/ant-core/src/data/error.rs
index e571fa5..6073163 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/data/error.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/data/error.rs
@@ -86,11 +86,10 @@ pub enum Error {
     },
 }
 
-impl From<ant_node::Error> for Error {
-    fn from(e: ant_node::Error) -> Self {
-        Self::Network(e.to_string())
-    }
-}
+// The `From<ant_node::Error>` conversion used before 0.2.0 lived here
+// because ant-core depended on ant-node at runtime. ant-node is now
+// optional (behind the `devnet` feature); the `LocalDevnet` wrapper
+// maps node errors inline via `map_err`. See `src/node/devnet.rs`.
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 #[allow(clippy::unwrap_used, clippy::expect_used)]
diff --git a/ant-core/src/data/mod.rs b/ant-core/src/data/mod.rs
index 7d5c676..c6b9a02 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/data/mod.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/data/mod.rs
@@ -12,11 +12,12 @@ pub use client::{Client, ClientConfig};
 pub use error::{Error, Result};
 pub use network::Network;
 
-// Re-export LocalDevnet from its new home in the node module
+// Re-export LocalDevnet from its new home in the node module (requires `devnet` feature)
+#[cfg(feature = "devnet")]
 pub use crate::node::devnet::LocalDevnet;
 
-// Re-export commonly used types from ant-node
-pub use ant_node::client::{compute_address, DataChunk, XorName};
+// Re-export commonly used wire types from ant-protocol.
+pub use ant_protocol::{compute_address, DataChunk, XorName};
 
 // Re-export client data types
 pub use client::batch::{finalize_batch_payment, PaidChunk, PaymentIntent, PreparedChunk};
@@ -32,13 +33,18 @@ pub use client::merkle::{
 // Re-export self-encryption types
 pub use self_encryption::DataMap;
 
-// Re-export networking types needed by CLI for P2P node creation
-pub use ant_node::ant_protocol::{MAX_CHUNK_SIZE, MAX_WIRE_MESSAGE_SIZE};
-pub use ant_node::core::{CoreNodeConfig, MultiAddr, NodeMode, P2PNode};
-pub use ant_node::devnet::DevnetManifest;
+// Re-export protocol constants + transport types needed by CLI for P2P node creation
+pub use ant_protocol::transport::{CoreNodeConfig, MultiAddr, NodeMode, P2PNode};
+pub use ant_protocol::{MAX_CHUNK_SIZE, MAX_WIRE_MESSAGE_SIZE};
 
-// Re-export EVM types needed by CLI for wallet and network setup
-pub use evmlib::common::{Address as EvmAddress, U256};
-pub use evmlib::wallet::Wallet;
-pub use evmlib::CustomNetwork;
-pub use evmlib::Network as EvmNetwork;
+// DevnetManifest is a pure-data handoff file between the devnet
+// launcher and clients that want to connect — no ant-node runtime
+// dep needed to read or write it.
+pub use ant_protocol::DevnetManifest;
+
+// Re-export EVM types needed by CLI for wallet and network setup. Sourced
+// through ant-protocol so ant-core keeps no direct evmlib dep — that pin
+// is owned by ant-protocol.
+pub use ant_protocol::evm::{
+    Address as EvmAddress, CustomNetwork, Network as EvmNetwork, Wallet, U256,
+};
diff --git a/ant-core/src/data/network.rs b/ant-core/src/data/network.rs
index da0835a..a37793f 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/data/network.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/data/network.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
-//! Network layer wrapping ant-node's P2P node.
+//! Network layer wrapping the saorsa-core `P2PNode` (re-exported via
+//! `ant_protocol::transport`).
 //!
 //! Provides peer discovery, message sending, and DHT operations
 //! for the client library.
 
 use crate::data::error::{Error, Result};
-use ant_node::ant_protocol::MAX_WIRE_MESSAGE_SIZE;
-use ant_node::core::{CoreNodeConfig, MultiAddr, NodeMode, P2PNode, PeerId};
+use ant_protocol::transport::{CoreNodeConfig, MultiAddr, NodeMode, P2PNode, PeerId};
+use ant_protocol::MAX_WIRE_MESSAGE_SIZE;
 use std::net::SocketAddr;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
diff --git a/ant-core/src/node/devnet.rs b/ant-core/src/node/devnet.rs
index 9d1f012..922b40c 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/node/devnet.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/node/devnet.rs
@@ -1,16 +1,18 @@
 //! Local devnet launcher for development and testing.
 //!
-//! Wraps [`ant_node::devnet::Devnet`] and `evmlib::testnet::Testnet` (Anvil)
-//! to spin up a local network with EVM payments in a few lines of code.
+//! Wraps `ant_node::devnet::Devnet` and the Anvil testnet re-exported as
+//! `ant_protocol::evm::testnet::Testnet` to spin up a local network with
+//! EVM payments in a few lines of code.
+//!
+//! Available only when `ant-core` is built with `features = ["devnet"]`.
 
 use crate::data::client::ClientConfig;
 use crate::data::error::{Error, Result};
 use crate::data::Client;
-use ant_node::core::MultiAddr;
 use ant_node::devnet::{Devnet, DevnetConfig, DevnetEvmInfo, DevnetManifest};
-use evmlib::testnet::Testnet;
-use evmlib::wallet::Wallet;
-use evmlib::Network as EvmNetwork;
+use ant_protocol::evm::testnet::Testnet;
+use ant_protocol::evm::{Network as EvmNetwork, Wallet};
+use ant_protocol::transport::MultiAddr;
 use std::path::Path;
 use std::time::SystemTime;
 use tracing::info;
diff --git a/ant-core/src/node/mod.rs b/ant-core/src/node/mod.rs
index 9392479..d86aea4 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/node/mod.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/node/mod.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 pub mod binary;
 pub mod daemon;
+/// In-process devnet wrapper around `ant_node::devnet::Devnet`.
+///
+/// Only available with the `devnet` feature, which also pulls in the
+/// `ant-node` runtime dependency.
+#[cfg(feature = "devnet")]
 pub mod devnet;
 pub mod events;
 pub mod process;
diff --git a/ant-core/src/update.rs b/ant-core/src/update.rs
index 071fdce..10bee1e 100644
--- a/ant-core/src/update.rs
+++ b/ant-core/src/update.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 
+use ant_protocol::pqc::api::{ml_dsa_65, MlDsaPublicKey, MlDsaSignature, MlDsaVariant};
 use futures_util::StreamExt;
-use saorsa_pqc::api::sig::{ml_dsa_65, MlDsaPublicKey, MlDsaSignature, MlDsaVariant};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 use crate::error::{Error, Result};
diff --git a/ant-core/tests/e2e_payment.rs b/ant-core/tests/e2e_payment.rs
index e999aa6..d64b3a4 100644
--- a/ant-core/tests/e2e_payment.rs
+++ b/ant-core/tests/e2e_payment.rs
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ async fn test_chunk_put_fails_with_insufficient_funds() {
     // Create a wallet with zero balance by using a random private key
     // (not the Anvil-funded default key)
     let evm_network = testnet.evm_network().clone();
-    let empty_wallet = evmlib::wallet::Wallet::new_from_private_key(
+    let empty_wallet = ant_protocol::evm::Wallet::new_from_private_key(
         evm_network,
         "0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001",
     )
diff --git a/ant-core/tests/e2e_security.rs b/ant-core/tests/e2e_security.rs
index 072bff7..4156823 100644
--- a/ant-core/tests/e2e_security.rs
+++ b/ant-core/tests/e2e_security.rs
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@
 mod support;
 
 use ant_core::data::{compute_address, Client, ClientConfig};
-use ant_node::core::PeerId;
-use ant_node::payment::{serialize_single_node_proof, PaymentProof, SingleNodePayment};
+use ant_protocol::evm::{Amount, EncodedPeerId, ProofOfPayment, RewardsAddress, TxHash};
+use ant_protocol::transport::PeerId;
+use ant_protocol::{serialize_single_node_proof, PaymentProof, SingleNodePayment};
 use bytes::Bytes;
-use evmlib::common::{Amount, TxHash};
-use evmlib::{EncodedPeerId, ProofOfPayment, RewardsAddress};
 use serial_test::serial;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use support::{MiniTestnet, DEFAULT_NODE_COUNT, MEDIAN_QUOTE_INDEX};
diff --git a/ant-core/tests/e2e_upload_costs.rs b/ant-core/tests/e2e_upload_costs.rs
index 47e3fb3..d0a00e2 100644
--- a/ant-core/tests/e2e_upload_costs.rs
+++ b/ant-core/tests/e2e_upload_costs.rs
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ struct CostResult {
 /// Measure ANT and gas cost for a single upload.
 async fn measure_upload_cost(
     client: &Client,
-    wallet: &evmlib::wallet::Wallet,
+    wallet: &ant_protocol::evm::Wallet,
     path: &Path,
     mode: PaymentMode,
     file_size_mb: u64,
diff --git a/ant-core/tests/support/mod.rs b/ant-core/tests/support/mod.rs
index 166a130..29a1cdd 100644
--- a/ant-core/tests/support/mod.rs
+++ b/ant-core/tests/support/mod.rs
@@ -15,20 +15,21 @@
     clippy::used_underscore_binding
 )]
 
-use ant_node::ant_protocol::MAX_WIRE_MESSAGE_SIZE;
-use ant_node::core::{
+// Wire surface and transitive deps come through ant-protocol (single pin).
+use ant_protocol::evm::testnet::Testnet;
+use ant_protocol::evm::{Network as EvmNetwork, RewardsAddress, Wallet};
+use ant_protocol::transport::{
     CoreNodeConfig, IPDiversityConfig, MlDsa65, MultiAddr, NodeIdentity, P2PEvent, P2PNode,
 };
+use ant_protocol::{CLOSE_GROUP_SIZE, MAX_WIRE_MESSAGE_SIZE};
+
+// Node-internal pieces (storage, payment verifier, quote generator) stay
+// with a direct ant-node dep — the test harness needs to *be* a node.
 use ant_node::payment::{
     EvmVerifierConfig, PaymentVerifier, PaymentVerifierConfig, QuoteGenerator,
     QuotingMetricsTracker,
 };
 use ant_node::storage::{AntProtocol, LmdbStorage, LmdbStorageConfig};
-use ant_node::CLOSE_GROUP_SIZE;
-use evmlib::testnet::Testnet;
-use evmlib::wallet::Wallet;
-use evmlib::Network as EvmNetwork;
-use evmlib::RewardsAddress;
 use rand::Rng;
 use std::net::{IpAddr, Ipv4Addr, SocketAddr};
 use std::sync::Arc;
@@ -162,7 +163,7 @@ impl MiniTestnet {
         // Approve token spend for the unified payment vault contract
         let vault_address = evm_network.payment_vault_address();
         wallet
-            .approve_to_spend_tokens(*vault_address, evmlib::common::U256::MAX)
+            .approve_to_spend_tokens(*vault_address, ant_protocol::evm::U256::MAX)
             .await
             .expect("approve payment vault token spend");
 
@@ -255,11 +256,11 @@ impl MiniTestnet {
         let pub_key_bytes = identity.public_key().as_bytes().to_vec();
         let sk_bytes = identity.secret_key_bytes().to_vec();
         let sk = {
-            use saorsa_pqc::pqc::types::MlDsaSecretKey;
+            use ant_protocol::pqc::ops::MlDsaSecretKey;
             MlDsaSecretKey::from_bytes(&sk_bytes).expect("deserialize ML-DSA-65 secret key")
         };
         quote_generator.set_signer(pub_key_bytes, move |msg| {
-            use saorsa_pqc::pqc::MlDsaOperations;
+            use ant_protocol::pqc::ops::MlDsaOperations;
             let ml_dsa = MlDsa65::new();
             ml_dsa
                 .sign(&sk, msg)
@@ -289,7 +290,7 @@ impl MiniTestnet {
                         let node = Arc::clone(&handler_node);
                         let topic_clone = topic.clone();
                         tokio::spawn(async move {
-                            if topic_clone != ant_node::CHUNK_PROTOCOL_ID {
+                            if topic_clone != ant_protocol::CHUNK_PROTOCOL_ID {
                                 return;
                             }
                             match protocol.try_handle_request(&data).await {