diff --git a/api/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/gov.pulsar.go b/api/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/gov.pulsar.go
index 27fa41c6e7..3ed5ad0147 100644
--- a/api/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/gov.pulsar.go
+++ b/api/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/gov.pulsar.go
@@ -1342,8 +1342,8 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) Range(f func(protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, pro
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.Metadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.Metadata)
+	if x.Metadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.Metadata)
 		if !f(fd_Proposal_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -1382,7 +1382,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) bool {
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.Proposal.voting_end_time":
 		return x.VotingEndTime != nil
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.Proposal.metadata":
-		return len(x.Metadata) != 0
+		return x.Metadata != ""
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.gov.v1beta2.Proposal"))
@@ -1418,7 +1418,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) Clear(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) {
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.Proposal.voting_end_time":
 		x.VotingEndTime = nil
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.Proposal.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = nil
+		x.Metadata = ""
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.gov.v1beta2.Proposal"))
@@ -1470,7 +1470,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) Get(descriptor protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) p
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfMessage(value.ProtoReflect())
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.Proposal.metadata":
 		value := x.Metadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	default:
 		if descriptor.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.gov.v1beta2.Proposal"))
@@ -1514,7 +1514,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, value pro
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.Proposal.voting_end_time":
 		x.VotingEndTime = value.Message().Interface().(*timestamppb.Timestamp)
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.Proposal.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.Metadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.gov.v1beta2.Proposal"))
@@ -1617,7 +1617,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) NewField(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) prot
 		m := new(timestamppb.Timestamp)
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfMessage(m.ProtoReflect())
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.Proposal.metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.gov.v1beta2.Proposal"))
@@ -2216,7 +2216,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -2226,25 +2226,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.Metadata = append(x.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.Metadata == nil {
-					x.Metadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			default:
 				iNdEx = preIndex
@@ -5317,7 +5315,7 @@ type Proposal struct {
 	VotingStartTime  *timestamppb.Timestamp `protobuf:"bytes,8,opt,name=voting_start_time,json=votingStartTime,proto3" json:"voting_start_time,omitempty"`
 	VotingEndTime    *timestamppb.Timestamp `protobuf:"bytes,9,opt,name=voting_end_time,json=votingEndTime,proto3" json:"voting_end_time,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the proposal.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,10,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,10,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (x *Proposal) Reset() {
@@ -5403,11 +5401,11 @@ func (x *Proposal) GetVotingEndTime() *timestamppb.Timestamp {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (x *Proposal) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *Proposal) GetMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 // TallyResult defines a standard tally for a governance proposal.
@@ -5735,7 +5733,7 @@ var file_cosmos_gov_v1beta2_gov_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x6c, 0x65, 0x2e, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x62, 0x75, 0x66, 0x2e, 0x54, 0x69, 0x6d, 0x65,
 	0x73, 0x74, 0x61, 0x6d, 0x70, 0x42, 0x04, 0x90, 0xdf, 0x1f, 0x01, 0x52, 0x0d, 0x76, 0x6f, 0x74,
 	0x69, 0x6e, 0x67, 0x45, 0x6e, 0x64, 0x54, 0x69, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x12, 0x1a, 0x0a, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65,
-	0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x0a, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x0c, 0x52, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65,
+	0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x0a, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65,
 	0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x22, 0xd7, 0x01, 0x0a, 0x0b, 0x54, 0x61, 0x6c, 0x6c, 0x79,
 	0x52, 0x65, 0x73, 0x75, 0x6c, 0x74, 0x12, 0x2b, 0x0a, 0x09, 0x79, 0x65, 0x73, 0x5f, 0x63, 0x6f,
 	0x75, 0x6e, 0x74, 0x18, 0x01, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x42, 0x0e, 0xd2, 0xb4, 0x2d, 0x0a, 0x63,
diff --git a/api/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/tx.pulsar.go b/api/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/tx.pulsar.go
index a17b471c64..535f5e4d81 100644
--- a/api/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/tx.pulsar.go
+++ b/api/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/tx.pulsar.go
@@ -219,8 +219,8 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) Range(f func(protoreflect.FieldDescri
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.Metadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.Metadata)
+	if x.Metadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.Metadata)
 		if !f(fd_MsgSubmitProposal_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor)
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal.proposer":
 		return x.Proposer != ""
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal.metadata":
-		return len(x.Metadata) != 0
+		return x.Metadata != ""
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal"))
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) Clear(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal.proposer":
 		x.Proposer = ""
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = nil
+		x.Metadata = ""
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal"))
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) Get(descriptor protoreflect.FieldDesc
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal.metadata":
 		value := x.Metadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	default:
 		if descriptor.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal"))
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor,
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal.proposer":
 		x.Proposer = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.Metadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal"))
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) NewField(fd protoreflect.FieldDescrip
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal.proposer":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal.metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.gov.v1beta2.MsgSubmitProposal"))
@@ -714,7 +714,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -724,25 +724,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.Metadata = append(x.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.Metadata == nil {
-					x.Metadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			default:
 				iNdEx = preIndex
@@ -4860,7 +4858,7 @@ type MsgSubmitProposal struct {
 	InitialDeposit []*v1beta1.Coin `protobuf:"bytes,2,rep,name=initial_deposit,json=initialDeposit,proto3" json:"initial_deposit,omitempty"`
 	Proposer       string          `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=proposer,proto3" json:"proposer,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the proposal.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (x *MsgSubmitProposal) Reset() {
@@ -4904,11 +4902,11 @@ func (x *MsgSubmitProposal) GetProposer() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-func (x *MsgSubmitProposal) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *MsgSubmitProposal) GetMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 // MsgSubmitProposalResponse defines the Msg/SubmitProposal response type.
@@ -5287,7 +5285,7 @@ var file_cosmos_gov_v1beta2_tx_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x65, 0x72, 0x18, 0x03, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x42, 0x18, 0xd2, 0xb4, 0x2d, 0x14, 0x63, 0x6f,
 	0x73, 0x6d, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x2e, 0x41, 0x64, 0x64, 0x72, 0x65, 0x73, 0x73, 0x53, 0x74, 0x72, 0x69,
 	0x6e, 0x67, 0x52, 0x08, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x70, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x65, 0x72, 0x12, 0x1a, 0x0a, 0x08,
-	0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x04, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x0c, 0x52, 0x08,
+	0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x04, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52, 0x08,
 	0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x3a, 0x0d, 0x82, 0xe7, 0xb0, 0x2a, 0x08, 0x70,
 	0x72, 0x6f, 0x70, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x65, 0x72, 0x22, 0x3c, 0x0a, 0x19, 0x4d, 0x73, 0x67, 0x53, 0x75,
 	0x62, 0x6d, 0x69, 0x74, 0x50, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x70, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x61, 0x6c, 0x52, 0x65, 0x73, 0x70,
diff --git a/api/cosmos/group/v1beta1/tx.pulsar.go b/api/cosmos/group/v1beta1/tx.pulsar.go
index b5fd018699..b1c24e78ae 100644
--- a/api/cosmos/group/v1beta1/tx.pulsar.go
+++ b/api/cosmos/group/v1beta1/tx.pulsar.go
@@ -159,8 +159,8 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroup) Range(f func(protoreflect.FieldDescripto
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.Metadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.Metadata)
+	if x.Metadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.Metadata)
 		if !f(fd_MsgCreateGroup_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroup) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) boo
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroup.members":
 		return len(x.Members) != 0
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroup.metadata":
-		return len(x.Metadata) != 0
+		return x.Metadata != ""
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroup"))
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroup) Clear(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) {
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroup.members":
 		x.Members = nil
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroup.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = nil
+		x.Metadata = ""
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroup"))
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroup) Get(descriptor protoreflect.FieldDescrip
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfList(listValue)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroup.metadata":
 		value := x.Metadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	default:
 		if descriptor.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroup"))
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroup) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, val
 		clv := lv.(*_MsgCreateGroup_2_list)
 		x.Members = *clv.list
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroup.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.Metadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroup"))
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroup) NewField(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor
 		list := []*Member{}
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfList(&_MsgCreateGroup_2_list{list: &list})
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroup.metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroup"))
@@ -575,7 +575,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroup) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -585,25 +585,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroup) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.Metadata = append(x.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.Metadata == nil {
-					x.Metadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			default:
 				iNdEx = preIndex
@@ -2986,8 +2984,8 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) Range(f func(protoreflect.FieldD
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.Metadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.Metadata)
+	if x.Metadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.Metadata)
 		if !f(fd_MsgUpdateGroupMetadata_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -3012,7 +3010,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldDescrip
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata.group_id":
 		return x.GroupId != uint64(0)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata.metadata":
-		return len(x.Metadata) != 0
+		return x.Metadata != ""
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata"))
@@ -3034,7 +3032,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) Clear(fd protoreflect.FieldDescr
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata.group_id":
 		x.GroupId = uint64(0)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = nil
+		x.Metadata = ""
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata"))
@@ -3059,7 +3057,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) Get(descriptor protoreflect.Fiel
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfUint64(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata.metadata":
 		value := x.Metadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	default:
 		if descriptor.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata"))
@@ -3085,7 +3083,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldDescrip
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata.group_id":
 		x.GroupId = value.Uint()
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.Metadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata"))
@@ -3130,7 +3128,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) NewField(fd protoreflect.FieldDe
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata.group_id":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfUint64(uint64(0))
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata.metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata"))
@@ -3363,7 +3361,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Metho
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -3373,25 +3371,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Metho
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.Metadata = append(x.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.Metadata == nil {
-					x.Metadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			default:
 				iNdEx = preIndex
@@ -3878,8 +3874,8 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupPolicy) Range(f func(protoreflect.FieldDes
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.Metadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.Metadata)
+	if x.Metadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.Metadata)
 		if !f(fd_MsgCreateGroupPolicy_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -3910,7 +3906,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupPolicy) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldDescripto
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.group_id":
 		return x.GroupId != uint64(0)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.metadata":
-		return len(x.Metadata) != 0
+		return x.Metadata != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.decision_policy":
 		return x.DecisionPolicy != nil
 	default:
@@ -3934,7 +3930,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupPolicy) Clear(fd protoreflect.FieldDescrip
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.group_id":
 		x.GroupId = uint64(0)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = nil
+		x.Metadata = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.decision_policy":
 		x.DecisionPolicy = nil
 	default:
@@ -3961,7 +3957,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupPolicy) Get(descriptor protoreflect.FieldD
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfUint64(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.metadata":
 		value := x.Metadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.decision_policy":
 		value := x.DecisionPolicy
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfMessage(value.ProtoReflect())
@@ -3990,7 +3986,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupPolicy) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldDescripto
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.group_id":
 		x.GroupId = value.Uint()
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.Metadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.decision_policy":
 		x.DecisionPolicy = value.Message().Interface().(*anypb.Any)
 	default:
@@ -4042,7 +4038,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupPolicy) NewField(fd protoreflect.FieldDesc
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.group_id":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfUint64(uint64(0))
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupPolicy.decision_policy":
 		m := new(anypb.Any)
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfMessage(m.ProtoReflect())
@@ -4296,7 +4292,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupPolicy) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -4306,25 +4302,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupPolicy) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.Metadata = append(x.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.Metadata == nil {
-					x.Metadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			case 4:
 				if wireType != 2 {
@@ -5514,14 +5508,14 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) Range(f func(protoreflect.Fiel
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.GroupMetadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.GroupMetadata)
+	if x.GroupMetadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.GroupMetadata)
 		if !f(fd_MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy_group_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.GroupPolicyMetadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.GroupPolicyMetadata)
+	if x.GroupPolicyMetadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.GroupPolicyMetadata)
 		if !f(fd_MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy_group_policy_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -5558,9 +5552,9 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldDescr
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.members":
 		return len(x.Members) != 0
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_metadata":
-		return len(x.GroupMetadata) != 0
+		return x.GroupMetadata != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_policy_metadata":
-		return len(x.GroupPolicyMetadata) != 0
+		return x.GroupPolicyMetadata != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_policy_as_admin":
 		return x.GroupPolicyAsAdmin != false
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.decision_policy":
@@ -5586,9 +5580,9 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) Clear(fd protoreflect.FieldDes
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.members":
 		x.Members = nil
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_metadata":
-		x.GroupMetadata = nil
+		x.GroupMetadata = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_policy_metadata":
-		x.GroupPolicyMetadata = nil
+		x.GroupPolicyMetadata = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_policy_as_admin":
 		x.GroupPolicyAsAdmin = false
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.decision_policy":
@@ -5620,10 +5614,10 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) Get(descriptor protoreflect.Fi
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfList(listValue)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_metadata":
 		value := x.GroupMetadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_policy_metadata":
 		value := x.GroupPolicyMetadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_policy_as_admin":
 		value := x.GroupPolicyAsAdmin
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfBool(value)
@@ -5657,9 +5651,9 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldDescr
 		clv := lv.(*_MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy_2_list)
 		x.Members = *clv.list
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_metadata":
-		x.GroupMetadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.GroupMetadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_policy_metadata":
-		x.GroupPolicyMetadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.GroupPolicyMetadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_policy_as_admin":
 		x.GroupPolicyAsAdmin = value.Bool()
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.decision_policy":
@@ -5722,9 +5716,9 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) NewField(fd protoreflect.Field
 		list := []*Member{}
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfList(&_MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy_2_list{list: &list})
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_policy_metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.group_policy_as_admin":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfBool(false)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.decision_policy":
@@ -6033,7 +6027,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Met
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field GroupMetadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -6043,31 +6037,29 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Met
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.GroupMetadata = append(x.GroupMetadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.GroupMetadata == nil {
-					x.GroupMetadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.GroupMetadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			case 4:
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field GroupPolicyMetadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -6077,25 +6069,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Met
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.GroupPolicyMetadata = append(x.GroupPolicyMetadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.GroupPolicyMetadata == nil {
-					x.GroupPolicyMetadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.GroupPolicyMetadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			case 5:
 				if wireType != 0 {
@@ -8023,8 +8013,8 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) Range(f func(protoreflect.
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.Metadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.Metadata)
+	if x.Metadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.Metadata)
 		if !f(fd_MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -8049,7 +8039,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldD
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata.address":
 		return x.Address != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata.metadata":
-		return len(x.Metadata) != 0
+		return x.Metadata != ""
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata"))
@@ -8071,7 +8061,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) Clear(fd protoreflect.Fiel
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata.address":
 		x.Address = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = nil
+		x.Metadata = ""
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata"))
@@ -8096,7 +8086,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) Get(descriptor protoreflec
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata.metadata":
 		value := x.Metadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	default:
 		if descriptor.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata"))
@@ -8122,7 +8112,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldD
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata.address":
 		x.Address = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.Metadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata"))
@@ -8167,7 +8157,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) NewField(fd protoreflect.F
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata.address":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata.metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	default:
 		if fd.IsExtension() {
 			panic(fmt.Errorf("proto3 declared messages do not support extensions: cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata"))
@@ -8416,7 +8406,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) ProtoMethods() *protoiface
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -8426,25 +8416,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) ProtoMethods() *protoiface
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.Metadata = append(x.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.Metadata == nil {
-					x.Metadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			default:
 				iNdEx = preIndex
@@ -9030,8 +9018,8 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) Range(f func(protoreflect.FieldDescri
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.Metadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.Metadata)
+	if x.Metadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.Metadata)
 		if !f(fd_MsgSubmitProposal_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -9068,7 +9056,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.proposers":
 		return len(x.Proposers) != 0
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.metadata":
-		return len(x.Metadata) != 0
+		return x.Metadata != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.messages":
 		return len(x.Messages) != 0
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.exec":
@@ -9094,7 +9082,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) Clear(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.proposers":
 		x.Proposers = nil
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = nil
+		x.Metadata = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.messages":
 		x.Messages = nil
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.exec":
@@ -9126,7 +9114,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) Get(descriptor protoreflect.FieldDesc
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfList(listValue)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.metadata":
 		value := x.Metadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.messages":
 		if len(x.Messages) == 0 {
 			return protoreflect.ValueOfList(&_MsgSubmitProposal_4_list{})
@@ -9163,7 +9151,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor,
 		clv := lv.(*_MsgSubmitProposal_2_list)
 		x.Proposers = *clv.list
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.Metadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.messages":
 		lv := value.List()
 		clv := lv.(*_MsgSubmitProposal_4_list)
@@ -9227,7 +9215,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) NewField(fd protoreflect.FieldDescrip
 		list := []string{}
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfList(&_MsgSubmitProposal_2_list{list: &list})
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgSubmitProposal.messages":
 		list := []*anypb.Any{}
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfList(&_MsgSubmitProposal_4_list{list: &list})
@@ -9515,7 +9503,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -9525,25 +9513,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgSubmitProposal) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.Metadata = append(x.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.Metadata == nil {
-					x.Metadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			case 4:
 				if wireType != 2 {
@@ -10963,8 +10949,8 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgVote) Range(f func(protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, prot
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.Metadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.Metadata)
+	if x.Metadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.Metadata)
 		if !f(fd_MsgVote_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -10997,7 +10983,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgVote) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) bool {
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.option":
 		return x.Option != 0
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.metadata":
-		return len(x.Metadata) != 0
+		return x.Metadata != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.exec":
 		return x.Exec != 0
 	default:
@@ -11023,7 +11009,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgVote) Clear(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) {
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.option":
 		x.Option = 0
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = nil
+		x.Metadata = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.exec":
 		x.Exec = 0
 	default:
@@ -11053,7 +11039,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgVote) Get(descriptor protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) pr
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfEnum((protoreflect.EnumNumber)(value))
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.metadata":
 		value := x.Metadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.exec":
 		value := x.Exec
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfEnum((protoreflect.EnumNumber)(value))
@@ -11084,7 +11070,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgVote) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, value prot
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.option":
 		x.Option = (VoteOption)(value.Enum())
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.Metadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.exec":
 		x.Exec = (Exec)(value.Enum())
 	default:
@@ -11137,7 +11123,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgVote) NewField(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) proto
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.option":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfEnum(0)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.MsgVote.exec":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfEnum(0)
 	default:
@@ -11407,7 +11393,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgVote) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -11417,25 +11403,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_MsgVote) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.Metadata = append(x.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.Metadata == nil {
-					x.Metadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			case 5:
 				if wireType != 0 {
@@ -12748,7 +12732,7 @@ type MsgCreateGroup struct {
 	// members defines the group members.
 	Members []*Member `protobuf:"bytes,2,rep,name=members,proto3" json:"members,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the group.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (x *MsgCreateGroup) Reset() {
@@ -12785,11 +12769,11 @@ func (x *MsgCreateGroup) GetMembers() []*Member {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (x *MsgCreateGroup) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *MsgCreateGroup) GetMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 // MsgCreateGroupResponse is the Msg/CreateGroup response type.
@@ -13005,7 +12989,7 @@ type MsgUpdateGroupMetadata struct {
 	// group_id is the unique ID of the group.
 	GroupId uint64 `protobuf:"varint,2,opt,name=group_id,json=groupId,proto3" json:"group_id,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is the updated group's metadata.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (x *MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) Reset() {
@@ -13042,11 +13026,11 @@ func (x *MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) GetGroupId() uint64 {
 	return 0
 }
 
-func (x *MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) GetMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 // MsgUpdateGroupMetadataResponse is the Msg/UpdateGroupMetadata response type.
@@ -13087,7 +13071,7 @@ type MsgCreateGroupPolicy struct {
 	// group_id is the unique ID of the group.
 	GroupId uint64 `protobuf:"varint,2,opt,name=group_id,json=groupId,proto3" json:"group_id,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the group policy.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// decision_policy specifies the group policy's decision policy.
 	DecisionPolicy *anypb.Any `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=decision_policy,json=decisionPolicy,proto3" json:"decision_policy,omitempty"`
 }
@@ -13126,11 +13110,11 @@ func (x *MsgCreateGroupPolicy) GetGroupId() uint64 {
 	return 0
 }
 
-func (x *MsgCreateGroupPolicy) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *MsgCreateGroupPolicy) GetMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 func (x *MsgCreateGroupPolicy) GetDecisionPolicy() *anypb.Any {
@@ -13243,9 +13227,9 @@ type MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy struct {
 	// members defines the group members.
 	Members []*Member `protobuf:"bytes,2,rep,name=members,proto3" json:"members,omitempty"`
 	// group_metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the group.
-	GroupMetadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=group_metadata,json=groupMetadata,proto3" json:"group_metadata,omitempty"`
+	GroupMetadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=group_metadata,json=groupMetadata,proto3" json:"group_metadata,omitempty"`
 	// group_policy_metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the group policy.
-	GroupPolicyMetadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=group_policy_metadata,json=groupPolicyMetadata,proto3" json:"group_policy_metadata,omitempty"`
+	GroupPolicyMetadata string `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=group_policy_metadata,json=groupPolicyMetadata,proto3" json:"group_policy_metadata,omitempty"`
 	// group_policy_as_admin is a boolean field, if set to true, the group policy account address will be used as group and group policy admin.
 	GroupPolicyAsAdmin bool `protobuf:"varint,5,opt,name=group_policy_as_admin,json=groupPolicyAsAdmin,proto3" json:"group_policy_as_admin,omitempty"`
 	// decision_policy specifies the group policy's decision policy.
@@ -13286,18 +13270,18 @@ func (x *MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) GetMembers() []*Member {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (x *MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) GetGroupMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) GetGroupMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.GroupMetadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
-func (x *MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) GetGroupPolicyMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) GetGroupPolicyMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.GroupPolicyMetadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 func (x *MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) GetGroupPolicyAsAdmin() bool {
@@ -13480,7 +13464,7 @@ type MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata struct {
 	// address is the account address of group policy.
 	Address string `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=address,proto3" json:"address,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is the updated group policy metadata.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (x *MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) Reset() {
@@ -13517,11 +13501,11 @@ func (x *MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) GetAddress() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-func (x *MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) GetMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 // MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadataResponse is the Msg/UpdateGroupPolicyMetadata response type.
@@ -13563,7 +13547,7 @@ type MsgSubmitProposal struct {
 	// Proposers signatures will be counted as yes votes.
 	Proposers []string `protobuf:"bytes,2,rep,name=proposers,proto3" json:"proposers,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the proposal.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// messages is a list of `sdk.Msg`s that will be executed if the proposal passes.
 	Messages []*anypb.Any `protobuf:"bytes,4,rep,name=messages,proto3" json:"messages,omitempty"`
 	// exec defines the mode of execution of the proposal,
@@ -13606,11 +13590,11 @@ func (x *MsgSubmitProposal) GetProposers() []string {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (x *MsgSubmitProposal) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *MsgSubmitProposal) GetMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 func (x *MsgSubmitProposal) GetMessages() []*anypb.Any {
@@ -13750,7 +13734,7 @@ type MsgVote struct {
 	// option is the voter's choice on the proposal.
 	Option VoteOption `protobuf:"varint,3,opt,name=option,proto3,enum=cosmos.group.v1beta1.VoteOption" json:"option,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the vote.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// exec defines whether the proposal should be executed
 	// immediately after voting or not.
 	Exec Exec `protobuf:"varint,5,opt,name=exec,proto3,enum=cosmos.group.v1beta1.Exec" json:"exec,omitempty"`
@@ -13797,11 +13781,11 @@ func (x *MsgVote) GetOption() VoteOption {
 	return VoteOption_VOTE_OPTION_UNSPECIFIED
 }
 
-func (x *MsgVote) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *MsgVote) GetMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 func (x *MsgVote) GetExec() Exec {
@@ -13934,7 +13918,7 @@ var file_cosmos_group_v1beta1_tx_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x32, 0x1c, 0x2e, 0x63, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x6d, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x2e, 0x67, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x75, 0x70, 0x2e,
 	0x76, 0x31, 0x62, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x31, 0x2e, 0x4d, 0x65, 0x6d, 0x62, 0x65, 0x72, 0x42, 0x04,
 	0xc8, 0xde, 0x1f, 0x00, 0x52, 0x07, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x6d, 0x62, 0x65, 0x72, 0x73, 0x12, 0x1a, 0x0a,
-	0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x03, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x0c, 0x52,
+	0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x03, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52,
 	0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x3a, 0x0a, 0x82, 0xe7, 0xb0, 0x2a, 0x05,
 	0x61, 0x64, 0x6d, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x22, 0x33, 0x0a, 0x16, 0x4d, 0x73, 0x67, 0x43, 0x72, 0x65, 0x61,
 	0x74, 0x65, 0x47, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x75, 0x70, 0x52, 0x65, 0x73, 0x70, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x73, 0x65, 0x12,
@@ -13973,7 +13957,7 @@ var file_cosmos_group_v1beta1_tx_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x52, 0x05, 0x61, 0x64, 0x6d, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x12, 0x19, 0x0a, 0x08, 0x67, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x75, 0x70,
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 	0x82, 0xe7, 0xb0, 0x2a, 0x05, 0x61, 0x64, 0x6d, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x22, 0x20, 0x0a, 0x1e, 0x4d, 0x73,
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@@ -13984,7 +13968,7 @@ var file_cosmos_group_v1beta1_tx_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x61, 0x64, 0x6d, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x12, 0x19, 0x0a, 0x08, 0x67, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x75, 0x70, 0x5f, 0x69,
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 	0x64, 0x65, 0x63, 0x69, 0x73, 0x69, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x5f, 0x70, 0x6f, 0x6c, 0x69, 0x63, 0x79, 0x18,
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@@ -14018,10 +14002,10 @@ var file_cosmos_group_v1beta1_tx_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x67, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x75, 0x70, 0x2e, 0x76, 0x31, 0x62, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x31, 0x2e, 0x4d, 0x65,
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 	0x50, 0x6f, 0x6c, 0x69, 0x63, 0x79, 0x4d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x12, 0x31,
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@@ -14069,7 +14053,7 @@ var file_cosmos_group_v1beta1_tx_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x65, 0x73, 0x73, 0x18, 0x02, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x42, 0x18, 0xd2, 0xb4, 0x2d, 0x14, 0x63,
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@@ -14081,7 +14065,7 @@ var file_cosmos_group_v1beta1_tx_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x64, 0x64, 0x72, 0x65, 0x73, 0x73, 0x12, 0x1c, 0x0a, 0x09, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x70, 0x6f, 0x73,
 	0x65, 0x72, 0x73, 0x18, 0x02, 0x20, 0x03, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52, 0x09, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x70, 0x6f,
 	0x73, 0x65, 0x72, 0x73, 0x12, 0x1a, 0x0a, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61,
-	0x18, 0x03, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x0c, 0x52, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61,
+	0x18, 0x03, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61,
 	0x12, 0x30, 0x0a, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x73, 0x73, 0x61, 0x67, 0x65, 0x73, 0x18, 0x04, 0x20, 0x03,
 	0x28, 0x0b, 0x32, 0x14, 0x2e, 0x67, 0x6f, 0x6f, 0x67, 0x6c, 0x65, 0x2e, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x74,
 	0x6f, 0x62, 0x75, 0x66, 0x2e, 0x41, 0x6e, 0x79, 0x52, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x73, 0x73, 0x61, 0x67,
@@ -14112,7 +14096,7 @@ var file_cosmos_group_v1beta1_tx_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x6f, 0x73, 0x6d, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x2e, 0x67, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x75, 0x70, 0x2e, 0x76, 0x31, 0x62, 0x65,
 	0x74, 0x61, 0x31, 0x2e, 0x56, 0x6f, 0x74, 0x65, 0x4f, 0x70, 0x74, 0x69, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x52, 0x06,
 	0x6f, 0x70, 0x74, 0x69, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x12, 0x1a, 0x0a, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61,
-	0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x04, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x0c, 0x52, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61,
+	0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x04, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61,
 	0x74, 0x61, 0x12, 0x2e, 0x0a, 0x04, 0x65, 0x78, 0x65, 0x63, 0x18, 0x05, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x0e,
 	0x32, 0x1a, 0x2e, 0x63, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x6d, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x2e, 0x67, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x75, 0x70, 0x2e,
 	0x76, 0x31, 0x62, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x31, 0x2e, 0x45, 0x78, 0x65, 0x63, 0x52, 0x04, 0x65, 0x78,
diff --git a/api/cosmos/group/v1beta1/types.pulsar.go b/api/cosmos/group/v1beta1/types.pulsar.go
index f9160f288d..5bf337ab94 100644
--- a/api/cosmos/group/v1beta1/types.pulsar.go
+++ b/api/cosmos/group/v1beta1/types.pulsar.go
@@ -111,8 +111,8 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Member) Range(f func(protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, proto
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.Metadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.Metadata)
+	if x.Metadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.Metadata)
 		if !f(fd_Member_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Member) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) bool {
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.weight":
 		return x.Weight != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.metadata":
-		return len(x.Metadata) != 0
+		return x.Metadata != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.added_at":
 		return x.AddedAt != nil
 	default:
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Member) Clear(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) {
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.weight":
 		x.Weight = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = nil
+		x.Metadata = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.added_at":
 		x.AddedAt = nil
 	default:
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Member) Get(descriptor protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) pro
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.metadata":
 		value := x.Metadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.added_at":
 		value := x.AddedAt
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfMessage(value.ProtoReflect())
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Member) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, value proto
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.weight":
 		x.Weight = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.Metadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.added_at":
 		x.AddedAt = value.Message().Interface().(*timestamppb.Timestamp)
 	default:
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Member) NewField(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) protor
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.weight":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Member.added_at":
 		m := new(timestamppb.Timestamp)
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfMessage(m.ProtoReflect())
@@ -545,7 +545,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Member) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -555,25 +555,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Member) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.Metadata = append(x.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.Metadata == nil {
-					x.Metadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			case 4:
 				if wireType != 2 {
@@ -2236,8 +2234,8 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupInfo) Range(f func(protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, pr
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.Metadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.Metadata)
+	if x.Metadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.Metadata)
 		if !f(fd_GroupInfo_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -2280,7 +2278,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupInfo) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) bool {
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.admin":
 		return x.Admin != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.metadata":
-		return len(x.Metadata) != 0
+		return x.Metadata != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.version":
 		return x.Version != uint64(0)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.total_weight":
@@ -2308,7 +2306,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupInfo) Clear(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) {
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.admin":
 		x.Admin = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = nil
+		x.Metadata = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.version":
 		x.Version = uint64(0)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.total_weight":
@@ -2339,7 +2337,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupInfo) Get(descriptor protoreflect.FieldDescriptor)
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.metadata":
 		value := x.Metadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.version":
 		value := x.Version
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfUint64(value)
@@ -2374,7 +2372,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupInfo) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, value pr
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.admin":
 		x.Admin = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.Metadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.version":
 		x.Version = value.Uint()
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.total_weight":
@@ -2434,7 +2432,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupInfo) NewField(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) pro
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.admin":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.version":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfUint64(uint64(0))
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupInfo.total_weight":
@@ -2711,7 +2709,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupInfo) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -2721,25 +2719,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupInfo) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.Metadata = append(x.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.Metadata == nil {
-					x.Metadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			case 4:
 				if wireType != 0 {
@@ -3452,8 +3448,8 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupPolicyInfo) Range(f func(protoreflect.FieldDescript
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.Metadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.Metadata)
+	if x.Metadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.Metadata)
 		if !f(fd_GroupPolicyInfo_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -3498,7 +3494,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupPolicyInfo) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) bo
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.admin":
 		return x.Admin != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.metadata":
-		return len(x.Metadata) != 0
+		return x.Metadata != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.version":
 		return x.Version != uint64(0)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.decision_policy":
@@ -3528,7 +3524,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupPolicyInfo) Clear(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.admin":
 		x.Admin = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = nil
+		x.Metadata = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.version":
 		x.Version = uint64(0)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.decision_policy":
@@ -3562,7 +3558,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupPolicyInfo) Get(descriptor protoreflect.FieldDescri
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.metadata":
 		value := x.Metadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.version":
 		value := x.Version
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfUint64(value)
@@ -3599,7 +3595,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupPolicyInfo) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, va
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.admin":
 		x.Admin = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.Metadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.version":
 		x.Version = value.Uint()
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.decision_policy":
@@ -3666,7 +3662,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupPolicyInfo) NewField(fd protoreflect.FieldDescripto
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.admin":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.version":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfUint64(uint64(0))
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.GroupPolicyInfo.decision_policy":
@@ -3994,7 +3990,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupPolicyInfo) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -4004,25 +4000,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_GroupPolicyInfo) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.Metadata = append(x.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.Metadata == nil {
-					x.Metadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			case 5:
 				if wireType != 0 {
@@ -4359,8 +4353,8 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) Range(f func(protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, pro
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.Metadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.Metadata)
+	if x.Metadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.Metadata)
 		if !f(fd_Proposal_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -4445,7 +4439,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) bool {
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.address":
 		return x.Address != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.metadata":
-		return len(x.Metadata) != 0
+		return x.Metadata != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.proposers":
 		return len(x.Proposers) != 0
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.submit_time":
@@ -4487,7 +4481,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) Clear(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) {
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.address":
 		x.Address = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = nil
+		x.Metadata = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.proposers":
 		x.Proposers = nil
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.submit_time":
@@ -4532,7 +4526,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) Get(descriptor protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) p
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.metadata":
 		value := x.Metadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.proposers":
 		if len(x.Proposers) == 0 {
 			return protoreflect.ValueOfList(&_Proposal_4_list{})
@@ -4594,7 +4588,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, value pro
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.address":
 		x.Address = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.Metadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.proposers":
 		lv := value.List()
 		clv := lv.(*_Proposal_4_list)
@@ -4700,7 +4694,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) NewField(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) prot
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.address":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Proposal.proposers":
 		list := []string{}
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfList(&_Proposal_4_list{list: &list})
@@ -5089,7 +5083,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -5099,25 +5093,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Proposal) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.Metadata = append(x.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.Metadata == nil {
-					x.Metadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			case 4:
 				if wireType != 2 {
@@ -6137,8 +6129,8 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Vote) Range(f func(protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, protore
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	if len(x.Metadata) != 0 {
-		value := protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(x.Metadata)
+	if x.Metadata != "" {
+		value := protoreflect.ValueOfString(x.Metadata)
 		if !f(fd_Vote_metadata, value) {
 			return
 		}
@@ -6171,7 +6163,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Vote) Has(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) bool {
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.option":
 		return x.Option != 0
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.metadata":
-		return len(x.Metadata) != 0
+		return x.Metadata != ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.submit_time":
 		return x.SubmitTime != nil
 	default:
@@ -6197,7 +6189,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Vote) Clear(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) {
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.option":
 		x.Option = 0
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = nil
+		x.Metadata = ""
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.submit_time":
 		x.SubmitTime = nil
 	default:
@@ -6227,7 +6219,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Vote) Get(descriptor protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) proto
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfEnum((protoreflect.EnumNumber)(value))
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.metadata":
 		value := x.Metadata
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(value)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString(value)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.submit_time":
 		value := x.SubmitTime
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfMessage(value.ProtoReflect())
@@ -6258,7 +6250,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Vote) Set(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor, value protore
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.option":
 		x.Option = (VoteOption)(value.Enum())
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.metadata":
-		x.Metadata = value.Bytes()
+		x.Metadata = value.Interface().(string)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.submit_time":
 		x.SubmitTime = value.Message().Interface().(*timestamppb.Timestamp)
 	default:
@@ -6314,7 +6306,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Vote) NewField(fd protoreflect.FieldDescriptor) protoref
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.option":
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfEnum(0)
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.metadata":
-		return protoreflect.ValueOfBytes(nil)
+		return protoreflect.ValueOfString("")
 	case "cosmos.group.v1beta1.Vote.submit_time":
 		m := new(timestamppb.Timestamp)
 		return protoreflect.ValueOfMessage(m.ProtoReflect())
@@ -6595,7 +6587,7 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Vote) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 				if wireType != 2 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 				}
-				var byteLen int
+				var stringLen uint64
 				for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 					if shift >= 64 {
 						return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrIntOverflow
@@ -6605,25 +6597,23 @@ func (x *fastReflection_Vote) ProtoMethods() *protoiface.Methods {
 					}
 					b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 					iNdEx++
-					byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+					stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 					if b < 0x80 {
 						break
 					}
 				}
-				if byteLen < 0 {
+				intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+				if intStringLen < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
-				postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+				postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 				if postIndex < 0 {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, runtime.ErrInvalidLength
 				}
 				if postIndex > l {
 					return protoiface.UnmarshalOutput{NoUnkeyedLiterals: input.NoUnkeyedLiterals, Flags: input.Flags}, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 				}
-				x.Metadata = append(x.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-				if x.Metadata == nil {
-					x.Metadata = []byte{}
-				}
+				x.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 				iNdEx = postIndex
 			case 5:
 				if wireType != 2 {
@@ -6958,7 +6948,7 @@ type Member struct {
 	// weight is the member's voting weight that should be greater than 0.
 	Weight string `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=weight,proto3" json:"weight,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the member.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// added_at is a timestamp specifying when a member was added.
 	AddedAt *timestamppb.Timestamp `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=added_at,json=addedAt,proto3" json:"added_at,omitempty"`
 }
@@ -6997,11 +6987,11 @@ func (x *Member) GetWeight() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-func (x *Member) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *Member) GetMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 func (x *Member) GetAddedAt() *timestamppb.Timestamp {
@@ -7153,7 +7143,7 @@ type GroupInfo struct {
 	// admin is the account address of the group's admin.
 	Admin string `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=admin,proto3" json:"admin,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the group.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// version is used to track changes to a group's membership structure that
 	// would break existing proposals. Whenever any members weight is changed,
 	// or any member is added or removed this version is incremented and will
@@ -7199,11 +7189,11 @@ func (x *GroupInfo) GetAdmin() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-func (x *GroupInfo) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *GroupInfo) GetMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 func (x *GroupInfo) GetVersion() uint64 {
@@ -7286,7 +7276,7 @@ type GroupPolicyInfo struct {
 	// admin is the account address of the group admin.
 	Admin string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=admin,proto3" json:"admin,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the group policy.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// version is used to track changes to a group's GroupPolicyInfo structure that
 	// would create a different result on a running proposal.
 	Version uint64 `protobuf:"varint,5,opt,name=version,proto3" json:"version,omitempty"`
@@ -7337,11 +7327,11 @@ func (x *GroupPolicyInfo) GetAdmin() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-func (x *GroupPolicyInfo) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *GroupPolicyInfo) GetMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 func (x *GroupPolicyInfo) GetVersion() uint64 {
@@ -7379,7 +7369,7 @@ type Proposal struct {
 	// address is the account address of group policy.
 	Address string `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=address,proto3" json:"address,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the proposal.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// proposers are the account addresses of the proposers.
 	Proposers []string `protobuf:"bytes,4,rep,name=proposers,proto3" json:"proposers,omitempty"`
 	// submit_time is a timestamp specifying when a proposal was submitted.
@@ -7445,11 +7435,11 @@ func (x *Proposal) GetAddress() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-func (x *Proposal) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *Proposal) GetMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 func (x *Proposal) GetProposers() []string {
@@ -7599,7 +7589,7 @@ type Vote struct {
 	// option is the voter's choice on the proposal.
 	Option VoteOption `protobuf:"varint,3,opt,name=option,proto3,enum=cosmos.group.v1beta1.VoteOption" json:"option,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the vote.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// submit_time is the timestamp when the vote was submitted.
 	SubmitTime *timestamppb.Timestamp `protobuf:"bytes,5,opt,name=submit_time,json=submitTime,proto3" json:"submit_time,omitempty"`
 }
@@ -7645,11 +7635,11 @@ func (x *Vote) GetOption() VoteOption {
 	return VoteOption_VOTE_OPTION_UNSPECIFIED
 }
 
-func (x *Vote) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (x *Vote) GetMetadata() string {
 	if x != nil {
 		return x.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 func (x *Vote) GetSubmitTime() *timestamppb.Timestamp {
@@ -7680,7 +7670,7 @@ var file_cosmos_group_v1beta1_types_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x64, 0x72, 0x65, 0x73, 0x73, 0x53, 0x74, 0x72, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x67, 0x52, 0x07, 0x61, 0x64, 0x64,
 	0x72, 0x65, 0x73, 0x73, 0x12, 0x16, 0x0a, 0x06, 0x77, 0x65, 0x69, 0x67, 0x68, 0x74, 0x18, 0x02,
 	0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52, 0x06, 0x77, 0x65, 0x69, 0x67, 0x68, 0x74, 0x12, 0x1a, 0x0a, 0x08,
-	0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x03, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x0c, 0x52, 0x08,
+	0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x03, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52, 0x08,
 	0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x12, 0x3f, 0x0a, 0x08, 0x61, 0x64, 0x64, 0x65,
 	0x64, 0x5f, 0x61, 0x74, 0x18, 0x04, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x0b, 0x32, 0x1a, 0x2e, 0x67, 0x6f, 0x6f,
 	0x67, 0x6c, 0x65, 0x2e, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x62, 0x75, 0x66, 0x2e, 0x54, 0x69, 0x6d,
@@ -7713,7 +7703,7 @@ var file_cosmos_group_v1beta1_types_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x05, 0x61, 0x64, 0x6d, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x18, 0x02, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x42, 0x18, 0xd2, 0xb4,
 	0x2d, 0x14, 0x63, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x6d, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x2e, 0x41, 0x64, 0x64, 0x72, 0x65, 0x73, 0x73,
 	0x53, 0x74, 0x72, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x67, 0x52, 0x05, 0x61, 0x64, 0x6d, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x12, 0x1a, 0x0a,
-	0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x03, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x0c, 0x52,
+	0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x03, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52,
 	0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x12, 0x18, 0x0a, 0x07, 0x76, 0x65, 0x72,
 	0x73, 0x69, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x18, 0x04, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x04, 0x52, 0x07, 0x76, 0x65, 0x72, 0x73,
 	0x69, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x12, 0x21, 0x0a, 0x0c, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x74, 0x61, 0x6c, 0x5f, 0x77, 0x65, 0x69,
@@ -7738,7 +7728,7 @@ var file_cosmos_group_v1beta1_types_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x0a, 0x05, 0x61, 0x64, 0x6d, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x18, 0x03, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x42, 0x18, 0xd2,
 	0xb4, 0x2d, 0x14, 0x63, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x6d, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x2e, 0x41, 0x64, 0x64, 0x72, 0x65, 0x73,
 	0x73, 0x53, 0x74, 0x72, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x67, 0x52, 0x05, 0x61, 0x64, 0x6d, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x12, 0x1a,
-	0x0a, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x04, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x0c,
+	0x0a, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x04, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09,
 	0x52, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x12, 0x18, 0x0a, 0x07, 0x76, 0x65,
 	0x72, 0x73, 0x69, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x18, 0x05, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x04, 0x52, 0x07, 0x76, 0x65, 0x72,
 	0x73, 0x69, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x12, 0x51, 0x0a, 0x0f, 0x64, 0x65, 0x63, 0x69, 0x73, 0x69, 0x6f, 0x6e,
@@ -7757,7 +7747,7 @@ var file_cosmos_group_v1beta1_types_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x42, 0x18, 0xd2, 0xb4, 0x2d, 0x14, 0x63, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x6d, 0x6f, 0x73,
 	0x2e, 0x41, 0x64, 0x64, 0x72, 0x65, 0x73, 0x73, 0x53, 0x74, 0x72, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x67, 0x52, 0x07,
 	0x61, 0x64, 0x64, 0x72, 0x65, 0x73, 0x73, 0x12, 0x1a, 0x0a, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64,
-	0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x03, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x0c, 0x52, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64,
+	0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x03, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64,
 	0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x12, 0x36, 0x0a, 0x09, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x70, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x65, 0x72, 0x73,
 	0x18, 0x04, 0x20, 0x03, 0x28, 0x09, 0x42, 0x18, 0xd2, 0xb4, 0x2d, 0x14, 0x63, 0x6f, 0x73, 0x6d,
 	0x6f, 0x73, 0x2e, 0x41, 0x64, 0x64, 0x72, 0x65, 0x73, 0x73, 0x53, 0x74, 0x72, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x67,
@@ -7818,7 +7808,7 @@ var file_cosmos_group_v1beta1_types_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
 	0x72, 0x6f, 0x75, 0x70, 0x2e, 0x76, 0x31, 0x62, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x31, 0x2e, 0x56, 0x6f, 0x74,
 	0x65, 0x4f, 0x70, 0x74, 0x69, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x52, 0x06, 0x6f, 0x70, 0x74, 0x69, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x12,
 	0x1a, 0x0a, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x18, 0x04, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28,
-	0x0c, 0x52, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x12, 0x45, 0x0a, 0x0b, 0x73,
+	0x09, 0x52, 0x08, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x74, 0x61, 0x64, 0x61, 0x74, 0x61, 0x12, 0x45, 0x0a, 0x0b, 0x73,
 	0x75, 0x62, 0x6d, 0x69, 0x74, 0x5f, 0x74, 0x69, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x18, 0x05, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x0b,
 	0x32, 0x1a, 0x2e, 0x67, 0x6f, 0x6f, 0x67, 0x6c, 0x65, 0x2e, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x62,
 	0x75, 0x66, 0x2e, 0x54, 0x69, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x73, 0x74, 0x61, 0x6d, 0x70, 0x42, 0x08, 0xc8, 0xde,
diff --git a/api/cosmos/tx/v1beta1/service.pulsar.go b/api/cosmos/tx/v1beta1/service.pulsar.go
index 8540bf41c7..ec4afdbe92 100644
--- a/api/cosmos/tx/v1beta1/service.pulsar.go
+++ b/api/cosmos/tx/v1beta1/service.pulsar.go
@@ -5909,6 +5909,8 @@ func (x *GetTxResponse) GetTxResponse() *v1beta11.TxResponse {
 
 // GetBlockWithTxsRequest is the request type for the Service.GetBlockWithTxs
 // RPC method.
+//
+// Since: cosmos-sdk 0.45.2
 type GetBlockWithTxsRequest struct {
 	state         protoimpl.MessageState
 	sizeCache     protoimpl.SizeCache
@@ -5955,6 +5957,8 @@ func (x *GetBlockWithTxsRequest) GetPagination() *v1beta1.PageRequest {
 }
 
 // GetBlockWithTxsResponse is the response type for the Service.GetBlockWithTxs method.
+//
+// Since: cosmos-sdk 0.45.2
 type GetBlockWithTxsResponse struct {
 	state         protoimpl.MessageState
 	sizeCache     protoimpl.SizeCache
diff --git a/proto/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/gov.proto b/proto/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/gov.proto
index c641d27c08..64ffaad64f 100644
--- a/proto/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/gov.proto
+++ b/proto/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/gov.proto
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ message Proposal {
   google.protobuf.Timestamp         voting_end_time   = 9 [(gogoproto.stdtime) = true];
 
   // metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the proposal.
-  bytes metadata = 10;
+  string metadata = 10;
 }
 
 // ProposalStatus enumerates the valid statuses of a proposal.
diff --git a/proto/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/tx.proto b/proto/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/tx.proto
index e805a60a42..390ee89417 100644
--- a/proto/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/tx.proto
+++ b/proto/cosmos/gov/v1beta2/tx.proto
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ message MsgSubmitProposal {
   repeated cosmos.base.v1beta1.Coin initial_deposit = 2 [(gogoproto.nullable) = false];
   string                            proposer        = 3 [(cosmos_proto.scalar) = "cosmos.AddressString"];
   // metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the proposal.
-  bytes metadata = 4;
+  string metadata = 4;
 }
 
 // MsgSubmitProposalResponse defines the Msg/SubmitProposal response type.
diff --git a/proto/cosmos/group/v1beta1/tx.proto b/proto/cosmos/group/v1beta1/tx.proto
index 813c6c4244..523ab981e1 100644
--- a/proto/cosmos/group/v1beta1/tx.proto
+++ b/proto/cosmos/group/v1beta1/tx.proto
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ message MsgCreateGroup {
   repeated Member members = 2 [(gogoproto.nullable) = false];
 
   // metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the group.
-  bytes metadata = 3;
+  string metadata = 3;
 }
 
 // MsgCreateGroupResponse is the Msg/CreateGroup response type.
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ message MsgUpdateGroupMetadata {
   uint64 group_id = 2;
 
   // metadata is the updated group's metadata.
-  bytes metadata = 3;
+  string metadata = 3;
 }
 
 // MsgUpdateGroupMetadataResponse is the Msg/UpdateGroupMetadata response type.
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ message MsgCreateGroupPolicy {
   uint64 group_id = 2;
 
   // metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the group policy.
-  bytes metadata = 3;
+  string metadata = 3;
 
   // decision_policy specifies the group policy's decision policy.
   google.protobuf.Any decision_policy = 4 [(cosmos_proto.accepts_interface) = "DecisionPolicy"];
@@ -186,10 +186,10 @@ message MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy {
   repeated Member members = 2 [(gogoproto.nullable) = false];
 
   // group_metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the group.
-  bytes group_metadata = 3;
+  string group_metadata = 3;
 
   // group_policy_metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the group policy.
-  bytes group_policy_metadata = 4;
+  string group_policy_metadata = 4;
 
   // group_policy_as_admin is a boolean field, if set to true, the group policy account address will be used as group and group policy admin.
   bool group_policy_as_admin = 5; 
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ message MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata {
   string address = 2 [(cosmos_proto.scalar) = "cosmos.AddressString"];
 
   // metadata is the updated group policy metadata.
-  bytes metadata = 3;
+  string metadata = 3;
 }
 
 // MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadataResponse is the Msg/UpdateGroupPolicyMetadata response type.
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ message MsgSubmitProposal {
   repeated string proposers = 2;
 
   // metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the proposal.
-  bytes metadata = 3;
+  string metadata = 3;
 
   // messages is a list of `sdk.Msg`s that will be executed if the proposal passes.
   repeated google.protobuf.Any messages = 4;
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ message MsgVote {
   VoteOption option = 3;
 
   // metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the vote.
-  bytes metadata = 4;
+  string metadata = 4;
 
   // exec defines whether the proposal should be executed
   // immediately after voting or not.
diff --git a/proto/cosmos/group/v1beta1/types.proto b/proto/cosmos/group/v1beta1/types.proto
index f5af00734f..aab2b93ecf 100644
--- a/proto/cosmos/group/v1beta1/types.proto
+++ b/proto/cosmos/group/v1beta1/types.proto
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ message Member {
   string weight = 2;
 
   // metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the member.
-  bytes metadata = 3;
+  string metadata = 3;
 
   // added_at is a timestamp specifying when a member was added.
   google.protobuf.Timestamp added_at = 4 [(gogoproto.nullable) = false, (gogoproto.stdtime) = true];
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ message GroupInfo {
   string admin = 2 [(cosmos_proto.scalar) = "cosmos.AddressString"];
 
   // metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the group.
-  bytes metadata = 3;
+  string metadata = 3;
 
   // version is used to track changes to a group's membership structure that
   // would break existing proposals. Whenever any members weight is changed,
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ message GroupPolicyInfo {
   string admin = 3 [(cosmos_proto.scalar) = "cosmos.AddressString"];
 
   // metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the group policy.
-  bytes metadata = 4;
+  string metadata = 4;
 
   // version is used to track changes to a group's GroupPolicyInfo structure that
   // would create a different result on a running proposal.
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ message Proposal {
   string address = 2 [(cosmos_proto.scalar) = "cosmos.AddressString"];
 
   // metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the proposal.
-  bytes metadata = 3;
+  string metadata = 3;
 
   // proposers are the account addresses of the proposers.
   repeated string proposers = 4 [(cosmos_proto.scalar) = "cosmos.AddressString"];
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ message Vote {
   VoteOption option = 3;
 
   // metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the vote.
-  bytes metadata = 4;
+  string metadata = 4;
 
   // submit_time is the timestamp when the vote was submitted.
   google.protobuf.Timestamp submit_time = 5 [(gogoproto.nullable) = false, (gogoproto.stdtime) = true];
diff --git a/x/auth/middleware/tips_test.go b/x/auth/middleware/tips_test.go
index 2bd6a97276..41e585221b 100644
--- a/x/auth/middleware/tips_test.go
+++ b/x/auth/middleware/tips_test.go
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func (s *MWTestSuite) setupAcctsForTips(ctx sdk.Context) (sdk.Context, []testAcc
 	s.Require().NoError(err)
 
 	// Create dummy proposal for tipper to vote on.
-	prop, err := govtypes.NewProposal([]sdk.Msg{banktypes.NewMsgSend(accts[0].acc.GetAddress(), accts[0].acc.GetAddress(), initialRegens)}, 1, nil, time.Now(), time.Now().Add(time.Hour))
+	prop, err := govtypes.NewProposal([]sdk.Msg{banktypes.NewMsgSend(accts[0].acc.GetAddress(), accts[0].acc.GetAddress(), initialRegens)}, 1, "", time.Now(), time.Now().Add(time.Hour))
 	s.Require().NoError(err)
 	s.app.GovKeeper.SetProposal(ctx, prop)
 	s.app.GovKeeper.ActivateVotingPeriod(ctx, prop)
diff --git a/x/gov/abci_test.go b/x/gov/abci_test.go
index c98fac9501..b14a8fd711 100644
--- a/x/gov/abci_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/abci_test.go
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ func TestTickExpiredDepositPeriod(t *testing.T) {
 		[]sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)},
 		sdk.Coins{sdk.NewInt64Coin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, 5)},
 		addrs[0].String(),
-		nil,
+		"",
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ func TestTickMultipleExpiredDepositPeriod(t *testing.T) {
 		[]sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)},
 		sdk.Coins{sdk.NewInt64Coin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, 5)},
 		addrs[0].String(),
-		nil,
+		"",
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ func TestTickMultipleExpiredDepositPeriod(t *testing.T) {
 		[]sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)},
 		sdk.Coins{sdk.NewInt64Coin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, 5)},
 		addrs[0].String(),
-		nil,
+		"",
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ func TestTickPassedDepositPeriod(t *testing.T) {
 		[]sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)},
 		sdk.Coins{sdk.NewInt64Coin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, 5)},
 		addrs[0].String(),
-		nil,
+		"",
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ func TestTickPassedVotingPeriod(t *testing.T) {
 	activeQueue.Close()
 
 	proposalCoins := sdk.Coins{sdk.NewCoin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, app.StakingKeeper.TokensFromConsensusPower(ctx, 5))}
-	newProposalMsg, err := v1beta2.NewMsgSubmitProposal([]sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)}, proposalCoins, addrs[0].String(), nil)
+	newProposalMsg, err := v1beta2.NewMsgSubmitProposal([]sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)}, proposalCoins, addrs[0].String(), "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	wrapCtx := sdk.WrapSDKContext(ctx)
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ func TestProposalPassedEndblocker(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NotNil(t, macc)
 	initialModuleAccCoins := app.BankKeeper.GetAllBalances(ctx, macc.GetAddress())
 
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, []sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)}, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, []sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)}, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	proposalCoins := sdk.Coins{sdk.NewCoin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, app.StakingKeeper.TokensFromConsensusPower(ctx, 10))}
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ func TestEndBlockerProposalHandlerFailed(t *testing.T) {
 	// Create a proposal where the handler will pass for the test proposal
 	// because the value of contextKeyBadProposal is true.
 	ctx = ctx.WithValue(contextKeyBadProposal, true)
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, []sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)}, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, []sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)}, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	proposalCoins := sdk.NewCoins(sdk.NewCoin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, app.StakingKeeper.TokensFromConsensusPower(ctx, 10)))
diff --git a/x/gov/client/cli/parse.go b/x/gov/client/cli/parse.go
index 91736f9853..e5a6cc3cb9 100644
--- a/x/gov/client/cli/parse.go
+++ b/x/gov/client/cli/parse.go
@@ -84,21 +84,21 @@ func parseSubmitLegacyProposalFlags(fs *pflag.FlagSet) (*legacyProposal, error)
 type proposal struct {
 	// Msgs defines an array of sdk.Msgs proto-JSON-encoded as Anys.
 	Messages []json.RawMessage
-	Metadata []byte
+	Metadata string
 	Deposit  string
 }
 
-func parseSubmitProposal(cdc codec.Codec, path string) ([]sdk.Msg, []byte, sdk.Coins, error) {
+func parseSubmitProposal(cdc codec.Codec, path string) ([]sdk.Msg, string, sdk.Coins, error) {
 	var proposal proposal
 
 	contents, err := os.ReadFile(path)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, nil, err
+		return nil, "", nil, err
 	}
 
 	err = json.Unmarshal(contents, &proposal)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, nil, err
+		return nil, "", nil, err
 	}
 
 	msgs := make([]sdk.Msg, len(proposal.Messages))
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ func parseSubmitProposal(cdc codec.Codec, path string) ([]sdk.Msg, []byte, sdk.C
 		var msg sdk.Msg
 		err := cdc.UnmarshalInterfaceJSON(anyJSON, &msg)
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, nil, nil, err
+			return nil, "", nil, err
 		}
 
 		msgs[i] = msg
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ func parseSubmitProposal(cdc codec.Codec, path string) ([]sdk.Msg, []byte, sdk.C
 
 	deposit, err := sdk.ParseCoinsNormalized(proposal.Deposit)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, nil, err
+		return nil, "", nil, err
 	}
 
 	return msgs, proposal.Metadata, deposit, nil
diff --git a/x/gov/client/cli/parse_test.go b/x/gov/client/cli/parse_test.go
index 12946b68c5..7b27c8a7a5 100644
--- a/x/gov/client/cli/parse_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/client/cli/parse_test.go
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ func TestParseSubmitProposal(t *testing.T) {
 	msgs, metadata, deposit, err := parseSubmitProposal(cdc, okJSON.Name())
 	require.NoError(t, err, "unexpected error")
 	require.Equal(t, sdk.NewCoins(sdk.NewCoin("test", sdk.NewInt(1000))), deposit)
-	require.Equal(t, expectedMetadata, metadata)
+	require.Equal(t, base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(expectedMetadata), metadata)
 	require.Len(t, msgs, 3)
 	msg1, ok := msgs[0].(*banktypes.MsgSend)
 	require.True(t, ok)
diff --git a/x/gov/genesis_test.go b/x/gov/genesis_test.go
index 34fda18315..b34cbd3bf6 100644
--- a/x/gov/genesis_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/genesis_test.go
@@ -35,11 +35,11 @@ func TestImportExportQueues(t *testing.T) {
 
 	ctx = app.BaseApp.NewContext(false, tmproto.Header{})
 	// Create two proposals, put the second into the voting period
-	proposal1, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, []sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)}, nil)
+	proposal1, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, []sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)}, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID1 := proposal1.Id
 
-	proposal2, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, []sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)}, nil)
+	proposal2, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, []sdk.Msg{mkTestLegacyContent(t)}, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID2 := proposal2.Id
 
diff --git a/x/gov/keeper/deposit_test.go b/x/gov/keeper/deposit_test.go
index 85f3ce9efd..9183f16deb 100644
--- a/x/gov/keeper/deposit_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/keeper/deposit_test.go
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ func TestDeposits(t *testing.T) {
 	TestAddrs := simapp.AddTestAddrsIncremental(app, ctx, 2, sdk.NewInt(10000000))
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ func TestDeposits(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, addr1Initial, app.BankKeeper.GetAllBalances(ctx, TestAddrs[1]))
 
 	// Test delete and burn deposits
-	proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID = proposal.Id
 	_, err = app.GovKeeper.AddDeposit(ctx, proposalID, TestAddrs[0], fourStake)
diff --git a/x/gov/keeper/grpc_query_test.go b/x/gov/keeper/grpc_query_test.go
index 9beacaa4d9..fd3097decb 100644
--- a/x/gov/keeper/grpc_query_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/keeper/grpc_query_test.go
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestGRPCQueryProposal() {
 				testProposal := v1beta1.NewTextProposal("Proposal", "testing proposal")
 				msgContent, err := v1beta2.NewLegacyContent(testProposal, govAcct.String())
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
-				submittedProposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, []sdk.Msg{msgContent}, nil)
+				submittedProposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, []sdk.Msg{msgContent}, "")
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 				suite.Require().NotEmpty(submittedProposal)
 
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestLegacyGRPCQueryProposal() {
 				testProposal := v1beta1.NewTextProposal("Proposal", "testing proposal")
 				msgContent, err := v1beta2.NewLegacyContent(testProposal, govAcct.String())
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
-				submittedProposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, []sdk.Msg{msgContent}, nil)
+				submittedProposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, []sdk.Msg{msgContent}, "")
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 				suite.Require().NotEmpty(submittedProposal)
 
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestGRPCQueryProposals() {
 					testProposal := []sdk.Msg{
 						v1beta2.NewMsgVote(govAddress, uint64(i), v1beta2.OptionYes),
 					}
-					proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, testProposal, nil)
+					proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, testProposal, "")
 					suite.Require().NotEmpty(proposal)
 					suite.Require().NoError(err)
 					testProposals = append(testProposals, &proposal)
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestGRPCQueryVote() {
 			"no votes present",
 			func() {
 				var err error
-				proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, TestProposal, nil)
+				proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, TestProposal, "")
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 
 				req = &v1beta2.QueryVoteRequest{
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestGRPCQueryVotes() {
 			"create a proposal and get votes",
 			func() {
 				var err error
-				proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, TestProposal, nil)
+				proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, TestProposal, "")
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 
 				req = &v1beta2.QueryVotesRequest{
@@ -573,7 +573,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestLegacyGRPCQueryVotes() {
 			"create a proposal and get votes",
 			func() {
 				var err error
-				proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, TestProposal, nil)
+				proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, TestProposal, "")
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 
 				req = &v1beta1.QueryVotesRequest{
@@ -855,7 +855,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestGRPCQueryDeposit() {
 			"no deposits proposal",
 			func() {
 				var err error
-				proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, TestProposal, nil)
+				proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, TestProposal, "")
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 				suite.Require().NotNil(proposal)
 
@@ -944,7 +944,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestGRPCQueryDeposits() {
 			"create a proposal and get deposits",
 			func() {
 				var err error
-				proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, TestProposal, nil)
+				proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, TestProposal, "")
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 
 				req = &v1beta2.QueryDepositsRequest{
@@ -1036,7 +1036,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestGRPCQueryTally() {
 			"create a proposal and get tally",
 			func() {
 				var err error
-				proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, TestProposal, nil)
+				proposal, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, TestProposal, "")
 				suite.Require().NoError(err)
 				suite.Require().NotNil(proposal)
 
diff --git a/x/gov/keeper/hooks_test.go b/x/gov/keeper/hooks_test.go
index 559abc376a..b8bda4b318 100644
--- a/x/gov/keeper/hooks_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/keeper/hooks_test.go
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func TestHooks(t *testing.T) {
 	require.False(t, govHooksReceiver.AfterProposalVotingPeriodEndedValid)
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	_, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	_, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.True(t, govHooksReceiver.AfterProposalSubmissionValid)
 
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ func TestHooks(t *testing.T) {
 
 	require.True(t, govHooksReceiver.AfterProposalFailedMinDepositValid)
 
-	p2, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	p2, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	activated, err := app.GovKeeper.AddDeposit(ctx, p2.Id, addrs[0], minDeposit)
diff --git a/x/gov/keeper/keeper_test.go b/x/gov/keeper/keeper_test.go
index 3ac495c554..a86d70335b 100644
--- a/x/gov/keeper/keeper_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/keeper/keeper_test.go
@@ -58,17 +58,17 @@ func TestIncrementProposalNumber(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx := app.BaseApp.NewContext(false, tmproto.Header{})
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	_, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	_, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	_, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	_, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	_, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	_, err = app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	proposal6, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal6, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	require.Equal(t, uint64(6), proposal6.Id)
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ func TestProposalQueues(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// create test proposals
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	inactiveIterator := app.GovKeeper.InactiveProposalQueueIterator(ctx, *proposal.DepositEndTime)
diff --git a/x/gov/keeper/msg_server.go b/x/gov/keeper/msg_server.go
index b56c36d126..b074a8255e 100644
--- a/x/gov/keeper/msg_server.go
+++ b/x/gov/keeper/msg_server.go
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ func (k legacyMsgServer) SubmitProposal(goCtx context.Context, msg *v1beta1.MsgS
 		[]sdk.Msg{contentMsg},
 		msg.InitialDeposit,
 		msg.Proposer,
-		nil,
+		"",
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/x/gov/keeper/proposal.go b/x/gov/keeper/proposal.go
index a07ac19a3c..7eaaf89a46 100644
--- a/x/gov/keeper/proposal.go
+++ b/x/gov/keeper/proposal.go
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@ import (
 )
 
 // SubmitProposal create new proposal given an array of messages
-func (keeper Keeper) SubmitProposal(ctx sdk.Context, messages []sdk.Msg, metadata []byte) (v1beta2.Proposal, error) {
-	if metadata != nil && uint64(len(metadata)) > keeper.config.MaxMetadataLen {
+func (keeper Keeper) SubmitProposal(ctx sdk.Context, messages []sdk.Msg, metadata string) (v1beta2.Proposal, error) {
+	if metadata != "" && uint64(len(metadata)) > keeper.config.MaxMetadataLen {
 		return v1beta2.Proposal{}, types.ErrMetadataTooLong.Wrapf("got metadata with length %d", len(metadata))
 	}
 
diff --git a/x/gov/keeper/proposal_test.go b/x/gov/keeper/proposal_test.go
index 1065faaa70..a1e58b619a 100644
--- a/x/gov/keeper/proposal_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/keeper/proposal_test.go
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package keeper_test
 
 import (
-	"bytes"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"strings"
@@ -19,7 +18,7 @@ import (
 
 func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestGetSetProposal() {
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := suite.app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(suite.ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := suite.app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(suite.ctx, tp, "")
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	suite.app.GovKeeper.SetProposal(suite.ctx, proposal)
@@ -31,7 +30,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestGetSetProposal() {
 
 func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestActivateVotingPeriod() {
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := suite.app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(suite.ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := suite.app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(suite.ctx, tp, "")
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
 
 	suite.Require().Nil(proposal.VotingStartTime)
@@ -62,21 +61,21 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestSubmitProposal() {
 	testCases := []struct {
 		content     v1beta1.Content
 		authority   string
-		metadata    []byte
+		metadata    string
 		expectedErr error
 	}{
-		{&tp, govAcct, nil, nil},
+		{&tp, govAcct, "", nil},
 		// Keeper does not check the validity of title and description, no error
-		{&v1beta1.TextProposal{Title: "", Description: "description"}, govAcct, nil, nil},
-		{&v1beta1.TextProposal{Title: strings.Repeat("1234567890", 100), Description: "description"}, govAcct, nil, nil},
-		{&v1beta1.TextProposal{Title: "title", Description: ""}, govAcct, nil, nil},
-		{&v1beta1.TextProposal{Title: "title", Description: strings.Repeat("1234567890", 1000)}, govAcct, nil, nil},
+		{&v1beta1.TextProposal{Title: "", Description: "description"}, govAcct, "", nil},
+		{&v1beta1.TextProposal{Title: strings.Repeat("1234567890", 100), Description: "description"}, govAcct, "", nil},
+		{&v1beta1.TextProposal{Title: "title", Description: ""}, govAcct, "", nil},
+		{&v1beta1.TextProposal{Title: "title", Description: strings.Repeat("1234567890", 1000)}, govAcct, "", nil},
 		// error when metadata is too long (>10000)
-		{&tp, govAcct, bytes.Repeat([]byte{42}, 10001), types.ErrMetadataTooLong},
+		{&tp, govAcct, strings.Repeat("a", 100001), types.ErrMetadataTooLong},
 		// error when signer is not gov acct
-		{&tp, randomAddr.String(), nil, types.ErrInvalidSigner},
+		{&tp, randomAddr.String(), "", types.ErrInvalidSigner},
 		// error only when invalid route
-		{&invalidProposalRoute{}, govAcct, nil, types.ErrNoProposalHandlerExists},
+		{&invalidProposalRoute{}, govAcct, "", types.ErrNoProposalHandlerExists},
 	}
 
 	for i, tc := range testCases {
@@ -95,7 +94,7 @@ func (suite *KeeperTestSuite) TestGetProposalsFiltered() {
 
 	for _, s := range status {
 		for i := 0; i < 50; i++ {
-			p, err := v1beta2.NewProposal(TestProposal, proposalID, nil, time.Now(), time.Now())
+			p, err := v1beta2.NewProposal(TestProposal, proposalID, "", time.Now(), time.Now())
 			suite.Require().NoError(err)
 
 			p.Status = s
diff --git a/x/gov/keeper/querier_test.go b/x/gov/keeper/querier_test.go
index 79a4ce8917..c6ef9df0dc 100644
--- a/x/gov/keeper/querier_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/keeper/querier_test.go
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ func TestQueries(t *testing.T) {
 	depositParams, _, _ := getQueriedParams(t, ctx, legacyQuerierCdc, querier)
 
 	// TestAddrs[0] proposes (and deposits) proposals #1 and #2
-	proposal1, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal1, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	deposit1 := v1beta2.NewDeposit(proposal1.Id, TestAddrs[0], oneCoins)
 	depositer1, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(deposit1.Depositor)
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ func TestQueries(t *testing.T) {
 
 	proposal1.TotalDeposit = sdk.NewCoins(proposal1.TotalDeposit...).Add(deposit1.Amount...)
 
-	proposal2, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal2, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	deposit2 := v1beta2.NewDeposit(proposal2.Id, TestAddrs[0], consCoins)
 	depositer2, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(deposit2.Depositor)
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ func TestQueries(t *testing.T) {
 	proposal2.TotalDeposit = sdk.NewCoins(proposal2.TotalDeposit...).Add(deposit2.Amount...)
 
 	// TestAddrs[1] proposes (and deposits) on proposal #3
-	proposal3, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal3, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	deposit3 := v1beta2.NewDeposit(proposal3.Id, TestAddrs[1], oneCoins)
 	depositer3, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(deposit3.Depositor)
diff --git a/x/gov/keeper/tally_test.go b/x/gov/keeper/tally_test.go
index c550086a23..98afa808d6 100644
--- a/x/gov/keeper/tally_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/keeper/tally_test.go
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ func TestTallyNoOneVotes(t *testing.T) {
 	createValidators(t, ctx, app, []int64{5, 5, 5})
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ func TestTallyNoQuorum(t *testing.T) {
 	addrs := simapp.AddTestAddrsIncremental(app, ctx, 1, sdk.NewInt(10000000))
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ func TestTallyOnlyValidatorsAllYes(t *testing.T) {
 	addrs, _ := createValidators(t, ctx, app, []int64{5, 5, 5})
 	tp := TestProposal
 
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ func TestTallyOnlyValidators51No(t *testing.T) {
 	valAccAddrs, _ := createValidators(t, ctx, app, []int64{5, 6, 0})
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ func TestTallyOnlyValidators51Yes(t *testing.T) {
 	valAccAddrs, _ := createValidators(t, ctx, app, []int64{5, 6, 0})
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ func TestTallyOnlyValidatorsVetoed(t *testing.T) {
 	valAccAddrs, _ := createValidators(t, ctx, app, []int64{6, 6, 7})
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ func TestTallyOnlyValidatorsAbstainPasses(t *testing.T) {
 	valAccAddrs, _ := createValidators(t, ctx, app, []int64{6, 6, 7})
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ func TestTallyOnlyValidatorsAbstainFails(t *testing.T) {
 	valAccAddrs, _ := createValidators(t, ctx, app, []int64{6, 6, 7})
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ func TestTallyOnlyValidatorsNonVoter(t *testing.T) {
 	valAccAddr1, valAccAddr2 := valAccAddrs[0], valAccAddrs[1]
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ func TestTallyDelgatorOverride(t *testing.T) {
 	_ = staking.EndBlocker(ctx, app.StakingKeeper)
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ func TestTallyDelgatorInherit(t *testing.T) {
 	_ = staking.EndBlocker(ctx, app.StakingKeeper)
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ func TestTallyDelgatorMultipleOverride(t *testing.T) {
 	_ = staking.EndBlocker(ctx, app.StakingKeeper)
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ func TestTallyDelgatorMultipleInherit(t *testing.T) {
 	_ = staking.EndBlocker(ctx, app.StakingKeeper)
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ func TestTallyJailedValidator(t *testing.T) {
 	app.StakingKeeper.Jail(ctx, sdk.ConsAddress(consAddr.Bytes()))
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
@@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ func TestTallyValidatorMultipleDelegations(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 	proposal.Status = v1beta2.StatusVotingPeriod
diff --git a/x/gov/keeper/vote_test.go b/x/gov/keeper/vote_test.go
index 86ca5b9ac8..bc329442c5 100644
--- a/x/gov/keeper/vote_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/keeper/vote_test.go
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ func TestVotes(t *testing.T) {
 	addrs := simapp.AddTestAddrsIncremental(app, ctx, 5, sdk.NewInt(30000000))
 
 	tp := TestProposal
-	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, nil)
+	proposal, err := app.GovKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, tp, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	proposalID := proposal.Id
 
diff --git a/x/gov/migrations/v046/json_test.go b/x/gov/migrations/v046/json_test.go
index 2ae043eafb..a9757a4410 100644
--- a/x/gov/migrations/v046/json_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/migrations/v046/json_test.go
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ func TestMigrateJSON(t *testing.T) {
 					}
 				}
 			],
-			"metadata": null,
+			"metadata": "",
 			"status": "PROPOSAL_STATUS_DEPOSIT_PERIOD",
 			"submit_time": "2001-09-09T01:46:40Z",
 			"total_deposit": [
diff --git a/x/gov/simulation/operations.go b/x/gov/simulation/operations.go
index 6e8b8d81b9..308aa8de47 100644
--- a/x/gov/simulation/operations.go
+++ b/x/gov/simulation/operations.go
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ func SimulateMsgSubmitProposal(
 			return simtypes.NoOpMsg(types.ModuleName, TypeMsgSubmitProposal, "error converting legacy content into proposal message"), nil, err
 		}
 
-		msg, err := v1beta2.NewMsgSubmitProposal([]sdk.Msg{contentMsg}, deposit, simAccount.Address.String(), nil)
+		msg, err := v1beta2.NewMsgSubmitProposal([]sdk.Msg{contentMsg}, deposit, simAccount.Address.String(), "")
 		if err != nil {
 			return simtypes.NoOpMsg(types.ModuleName, msg.Type(), "unable to generate a submit proposal msg"), nil, err
 		}
diff --git a/x/gov/simulation/operations_test.go b/x/gov/simulation/operations_test.go
index 19cba5221c..d424148da6 100644
--- a/x/gov/simulation/operations_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/simulation/operations_test.go
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ package simulation_test
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec/legacy"
 	"math/rand"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
@@ -11,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	abci "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
 	tmproto "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/proto/tendermint/types"
 
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec/legacy"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/simapp"
 	simappparams "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/simapp/params"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ func TestSimulateMsgDeposit(t *testing.T) {
 	submitTime := ctx.BlockHeader().Time
 	depositPeriod := app.GovKeeper.GetDepositParams(ctx).MaxDepositPeriod
 
-	proposal, err := v1beta2.NewProposal([]sdk.Msg{contentMsg}, 1, nil, submitTime, submitTime.Add(*depositPeriod))
+	proposal, err := v1beta2.NewProposal([]sdk.Msg{contentMsg}, 1, "", submitTime, submitTime.Add(*depositPeriod))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	app.GovKeeper.SetProposal(ctx, proposal)
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ func TestSimulateMsgVote(t *testing.T) {
 	submitTime := ctx.BlockHeader().Time
 	depositPeriod := app.GovKeeper.GetDepositParams(ctx).MaxDepositPeriod
 
-	proposal, err := v1beta2.NewProposal([]sdk.Msg{contentMsg}, 1, nil, submitTime, submitTime.Add(*depositPeriod))
+	proposal, err := v1beta2.NewProposal([]sdk.Msg{contentMsg}, 1, "", submitTime, submitTime.Add(*depositPeriod))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	app.GovKeeper.ActivateVotingPeriod(ctx, proposal)
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ func TestSimulateMsgVoteWeighted(t *testing.T) {
 	submitTime := ctx.BlockHeader().Time
 	depositPeriod := app.GovKeeper.GetDepositParams(ctx).MaxDepositPeriod
 
-	proposal, err := v1beta2.NewProposal([]sdk.Msg{contentMsg}, 1, nil, submitTime, submitTime.Add(*depositPeriod))
+	proposal, err := v1beta2.NewProposal([]sdk.Msg{contentMsg}, 1, "", submitTime, submitTime.Add(*depositPeriod))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	app.GovKeeper.ActivateVotingPeriod(ctx, proposal)
diff --git a/x/gov/types/v1beta2/gov.pb.go b/x/gov/types/v1beta2/gov.pb.go
index 91034aa6a6..0f094171fa 100644
--- a/x/gov/types/v1beta2/gov.pb.go
+++ b/x/gov/types/v1beta2/gov.pb.go
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ type Proposal struct {
 	VotingStartTime  *time.Time   `protobuf:"bytes,8,opt,name=voting_start_time,json=votingStartTime,proto3,stdtime" json:"voting_start_time,omitempty"`
 	VotingEndTime    *time.Time   `protobuf:"bytes,9,opt,name=voting_end_time,json=votingEndTime,proto3,stdtime" json:"voting_end_time,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the proposal.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,10,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,10,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (m *Proposal) Reset()         { *m = Proposal{} }
@@ -349,11 +349,11 @@ func (m *Proposal) GetVotingEndTime() *time.Time {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (m *Proposal) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (m *Proposal) GetMetadata() string {
 	if m != nil {
 		return m.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 // TallyResult defines a standard tally for a governance proposal.
@@ -671,7 +671,7 @@ func init() {
 func init() { proto.RegisterFile("cosmos/gov/v1beta2/gov.proto", fileDescriptor_5abf7b8852811c49) }
 
 var fileDescriptor_5abf7b8852811c49 = []byte{
-	// 1103 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
+	// 1101 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
 	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0x8c, 0x56, 0x41, 0x53, 0xdb, 0x46,
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@@ -706,41 +706,41 @@ var fileDescriptor_5abf7b8852811c49 = []byte{
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+	0x40, 0xab, 0x2a, 0xb3, 0x95, 0xfd, 0x37, 0x67, 0x39, 0xe9, 0xed, 0x59, 0x4e, 0x7a, 0x7f, 0x96,
+	0x93, 0x5e, 0x9d, 0xe7, 0x66, 0xde, 0x9e, 0xe7, 0x66, 0xfe, 0x39, 0xcf, 0xcd, 0xfc, 0xfc, 0xa0,
+	0xed, 0xb2, 0x4e, 0xbf, 0x55, 0x3c, 0x26, 0x9e, 0xf8, 0x30, 0x11, 0x3f, 0xdb, 0xd4, 0xf9, 0xa5,
+	0x74, 0xca, 0x3f, 0xbb, 0xd8, 0xa0, 0x87, 0x69, 0xfc, 0xf1, 0xd5, 0x4a, 0x71, 0xcf, 0x3e, 0xfc,
+	0x10, 0x00, 0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0xe9, 0xbe, 0x2b, 0x6a, 0x99, 0x09, 0x00, 0x00,
 }
 
 func (m *WeightedVoteOption) Marshal() (dAtA []byte, err error) {
@@ -1932,7 +1932,7 @@ func (m *Proposal) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowGov
@@ -1942,25 +1942,23 @@ func (m *Proposal) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthGov
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthGov
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.Metadata = append(m.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.Metadata == nil {
-				m.Metadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		default:
 			iNdEx = preIndex
diff --git a/x/gov/types/v1beta2/msgs.go b/x/gov/types/v1beta2/msgs.go
index 2929d339e4..b378418d57 100644
--- a/x/gov/types/v1beta2/msgs.go
+++ b/x/gov/types/v1beta2/msgs.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v1beta2
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec/legacy"
 	codectypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec/types"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ var (
 
 // NewMsgSubmitProposal creates a new MsgSubmitProposal.
 //nolint:interfacer
-func NewMsgSubmitProposal(messages []sdk.Msg, initialDeposit sdk.Coins, proposer string, metadata []byte) (*MsgSubmitProposal, error) {
+func NewMsgSubmitProposal(messages []sdk.Msg, initialDeposit sdk.Coins, proposer string, metadata string) (*MsgSubmitProposal, error) {
 	m := &MsgSubmitProposal{
 		InitialDeposit: initialDeposit,
 		Proposer:       proposer,
diff --git a/x/gov/types/v1beta2/msgs_test.go b/x/gov/types/v1beta2/msgs_test.go
index 5a64426f63..7d496e2224 100644
--- a/x/gov/types/v1beta2/msgs_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/types/v1beta2/msgs_test.go
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ func TestMsgVoteWeighted(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestMsgSubmitProposal_ValidateBasic(t *testing.T) {
-	metadata := []byte{42}
+	metadata := "metadata"
 	// Valid msg
 	msg1, err := v1beta2.NewLegacyContent(v1beta1.NewTextProposal("Title", "description"), addrs[0].String())
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -141,14 +141,14 @@ func TestMsgSubmitProposal_ValidateBasic(t *testing.T) {
 		proposer       string
 		initialDeposit sdk.Coins
 		messages       []sdk.Msg
-		metadata       []byte
+		metadata       string
 		expErr         bool
 	}{
 		{"invalid addr", "", coinsPos, []sdk.Msg{msg1}, metadata, true},
-		{"empty msgs and metadata", addrs[0].String(), coinsPos, nil, nil, true},
+		{"empty msgs and metadata", addrs[0].String(), coinsPos, nil, "", true},
 		{"invalid msg", addrs[0].String(), coinsPos, []sdk.Msg{msg1, msg2}, metadata, true},
 		{"valid with no Msg", addrs[0].String(), coinsPos, nil, metadata, false},
-		{"valid with no metadata", addrs[0].String(), coinsPos, []sdk.Msg{msg1}, nil, false},
+		{"valid with no metadata", addrs[0].String(), coinsPos, []sdk.Msg{msg1}, "", false},
 		{"valid with everything", addrs[0].String(), coinsPos, []sdk.Msg{msg1}, metadata, false},
 	}
 
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ func TestMsgSubmitProposal_ValidateBasic(t *testing.T) {
 // this tests that Amino JSON MsgSubmitProposal.GetSignBytes() still works with Content as Any using the ModuleCdc
 func TestMsgSubmitProposal_GetSignBytes(t *testing.T) {
 	proposal := []sdk.Msg{v1beta2.NewMsgVote(addrs[0], 1, v1beta2.OptionYes)}
-	msg, err := v1beta2.NewMsgSubmitProposal(proposal, sdk.NewCoins(), sdk.AccAddress{}.String(), nil)
+	msg, err := v1beta2.NewMsgSubmitProposal(proposal, sdk.NewCoins(), sdk.AccAddress{}.String(), "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	var bz []byte
 	require.NotPanics(t, func() {
diff --git a/x/gov/types/v1beta2/proposal.go b/x/gov/types/v1beta2/proposal.go
index 425a517734..e4ebcd35c5 100644
--- a/x/gov/types/v1beta2/proposal.go
+++ b/x/gov/types/v1beta2/proposal.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ const (
 )
 
 // NewProposal creates a new Proposal instance
-func NewProposal(messages []sdk.Msg, id uint64, metadata []byte, submitTime, depositEndTime time.Time) (Proposal, error) {
+func NewProposal(messages []sdk.Msg, id uint64, metadata string, submitTime, depositEndTime time.Time) (Proposal, error) {
 
 	msgs, err := sdktx.SetMsgs(messages)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/x/gov/types/v1beta2/proposals_test.go b/x/gov/types/v1beta2/proposals_test.go
index 7525ba5361..df41caeb33 100644
--- a/x/gov/types/v1beta2/proposals_test.go
+++ b/x/gov/types/v1beta2/proposals_test.go
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ func TestNestedAnys(t *testing.T) {
 	testProposal := v1beta1.NewTextProposal("Proposal", "testing proposal")
 	msgContent, err := v1beta2.NewLegacyContent(testProposal, "cosmos1govacct")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	proposal, err := v1beta2.NewProposal([]sdk.Msg{msgContent}, 1, nil, time.Now(), time.Now())
+	proposal, err := v1beta2.NewProposal([]sdk.Msg{msgContent}, 1, "", time.Now(), time.Now())
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	require.Equal(t, "TODO Fix panic here", proposal.String())
diff --git a/x/gov/types/v1beta2/tx.pb.go b/x/gov/types/v1beta2/tx.pb.go
index 969617f7ce..21883c4ce9 100644
--- a/x/gov/types/v1beta2/tx.pb.go
+++ b/x/gov/types/v1beta2/tx.pb.go
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ type MsgSubmitProposal struct {
 	InitialDeposit []types1.Coin `protobuf:"bytes,2,rep,name=initial_deposit,json=initialDeposit,proto3" json:"initial_deposit"`
 	Proposer       string        `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=proposer,proto3" json:"proposer,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the proposal.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (m *MsgSubmitProposal) Reset()         { *m = MsgSubmitProposal{} }
@@ -96,11 +96,11 @@ func (m *MsgSubmitProposal) GetProposer() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-func (m *MsgSubmitProposal) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (m *MsgSubmitProposal) GetMetadata() string {
 	if m != nil {
 		return m.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 // MsgSubmitProposalResponse defines the Msg/SubmitProposal response type.
@@ -551,54 +551,53 @@ func init() {
 func init() { proto.RegisterFile("cosmos/gov/v1beta2/tx.proto", fileDescriptor_4214261f6b3f9ed4) }
 
 var fileDescriptor_4214261f6b3f9ed4 = []byte{
-	// 737 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
-	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0xbc, 0x55, 0x4f, 0x6f, 0xd3, 0x4e,
-	0x10, 0x8d, 0x9b, 0xfc, 0x9a, 0x76, 0xda, 0x5f, 0xaa, 0xae, 0x22, 0xd5, 0x71, 0x2b, 0x37, 0x32,
-	0xa2, 0x8a, 0x40, 0xb1, 0x93, 0x80, 0x8a, 0x54, 0x38, 0xd0, 0x14, 0xa4, 0x82, 0x88, 0x00, 0x57,
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-	0xf0, 0x4d, 0xe0, 0xd0, 0x3b, 0xe2, 0x56, 0x71, 0xaa, 0x38, 0x71, 0xa1, 0x42, 0xed, 0x01, 0x89,
-	0x13, 0x1f, 0x01, 0xd9, 0x5e, 0x3b, 0x6d, 0xf3, 0xa7, 0xe5, 0xc2, 0x29, 0xbb, 0xf3, 0xde, 0x9b,
-	0x9d, 0xb7, 0x99, 0xf1, 0xc2, 0x62, 0x8b, 0xb2, 0x36, 0x65, 0x06, 0xa1, 0x5d, 0xa3, 0x5b, 0x6d,
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-	0x30, 0x75, 0x84, 0x4e, 0xe0, 0xca, 0xca, 0x78, 0x3c, 0x4e, 0x59, 0x7f, 0x7c, 0x78, 0xa2, 0x4a,
-	0x47, 0x27, 0xaa, 0xf4, 0xe3, 0x44, 0x95, 0xde, 0x9f, 0xaa, 0xa9, 0xa3, 0x53, 0x35, 0xf5, 0xed,
-	0x54, 0x4d, 0xbd, 0xaa, 0x10, 0x87, 0xef, 0x76, 0x9a, 0x7a, 0x8b, 0xb6, 0xc5, 0xbb, 0x24, 0x7e,
-	0xca, 0xcc, 0x7e, 0x63, 0xec, 0x87, 0xaf, 0x1c, 0xef, 0x79, 0x98, 0xc5, 0x6f, 0x5d, 0x73, 0x32,
-	0xfc, 0x32, 0xde, 0xfa, 0x13, 0x00, 0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0xf4, 0x8d, 0x72, 0xa4, 0x59, 0x07, 0x00,
-	0x00,
+	// 733 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
+	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0xbc, 0x55, 0xcf, 0x4f, 0x13, 0x41,
+	0x14, 0xee, 0xd2, 0x4a, 0xe1, 0xa1, 0x25, 0x4c, 0x9a, 0xb0, 0x5d, 0xc8, 0x42, 0xd6, 0x48, 0x1a,
+	0x4d, 0x77, 0xdb, 0x6a, 0x30, 0x41, 0x0f, 0x52, 0x34, 0x41, 0x63, 0xa3, 0x2e, 0x89, 0x26, 0x5e,
+	0x70, 0xdb, 0x1d, 0x86, 0x8d, 0x74, 0x67, 0xb3, 0x33, 0x6d, 0xe8, 0x51, 0xff, 0x02, 0xff, 0x13,
+	0x3d, 0x70, 0x37, 0xde, 0x88, 0x27, 0xe2, 0xc9, 0x8b, 0xc4, 0xc0, 0xc1, 0xc4, 0x93, 0x7f, 0x82,
+	0xd9, 0xdd, 0xd9, 0x2d, 0xd0, 0x1f, 0xd4, 0x8b, 0xa7, 0xce, 0xbc, 0xef, 0xfb, 0xde, 0xbc, 0x6f,
+	0xfa, 0xde, 0x0e, 0x2c, 0x34, 0x29, 0x6b, 0x51, 0x66, 0x10, 0xda, 0x31, 0x3a, 0x95, 0x06, 0xe6,
+	0x56, 0xd5, 0xe0, 0xfb, 0xba, 0xe7, 0x53, 0x4e, 0x11, 0x8a, 0x40, 0x9d, 0xd0, 0x8e, 0x2e, 0x40,
+	0x45, 0x15, 0x82, 0x86, 0xc5, 0xb0, 0x50, 0x54, 0x8c, 0x26, 0x75, 0xdc, 0x48, 0xa3, 0x2c, 0x0e,
+	0x48, 0x18, 0xe8, 0x23, 0x34, 0x4f, 0x28, 0xa1, 0xe1, 0xd2, 0x08, 0x56, 0x22, 0x5a, 0x88, 0x34,
+	0xdb, 0x11, 0x20, 0x0e, 0x15, 0x10, 0xa1, 0x94, 0xec, 0x61, 0x23, 0xdc, 0x35, 0xda, 0x3b, 0x86,
+	0xe5, 0x76, 0x05, 0x34, 0x2f, 0x4e, 0x6a, 0x31, 0x62, 0x74, 0x2a, 0xc1, 0x4f, 0x04, 0x68, 0x7f,
+	0x24, 0x98, 0xab, 0x33, 0xb2, 0xd5, 0x6e, 0xb4, 0x1c, 0xfe, 0xdc, 0xa7, 0x1e, 0x65, 0xd6, 0x1e,
+	0x2a, 0xc3, 0x54, 0x0b, 0x33, 0x66, 0x11, 0xcc, 0x64, 0x69, 0x39, 0x5d, 0x9c, 0xa9, 0xe6, 0xf5,
+	0x28, 0xb9, 0x1e, 0x27, 0xd7, 0xd7, 0xdd, 0xae, 0x99, 0xb0, 0xd0, 0x26, 0xcc, 0x3a, 0xae, 0xc3,
+	0x1d, 0x6b, 0x6f, 0xdb, 0xc6, 0x1e, 0x65, 0x0e, 0x97, 0x27, 0x42, 0x61, 0x41, 0x17, 0x35, 0x06,
+	0x97, 0x20, 0x6e, 0xa6, 0xa2, 0x6f, 0x50, 0xc7, 0xad, 0x65, 0x0e, 0x8f, 0x97, 0x52, 0x66, 0x4e,
+	0xe8, 0x1e, 0x46, 0x32, 0x74, 0x07, 0xa6, 0xbc, 0xb0, 0x0e, 0xec, 0xcb, 0xe9, 0x65, 0xa9, 0x38,
+	0x5d, 0x93, 0xbf, 0x1d, 0x94, 0xf2, 0x22, 0xcb, 0xba, 0x6d, 0xfb, 0x98, 0xb1, 0x2d, 0xee, 0x3b,
+	0x2e, 0x31, 0x13, 0x26, 0x52, 0x82, 0x8a, 0xb9, 0x65, 0x5b, 0xdc, 0x92, 0x33, 0x81, 0xca, 0x4c,
+	0xf6, 0x6b, 0xd7, 0xde, 0xff, 0xfa, 0x74, 0x33, 0xa1, 0x6a, 0xf7, 0xa1, 0xd0, 0xe7, 0xd8, 0xc4,
+	0xcc, 0xa3, 0x2e, 0xc3, 0x68, 0x09, 0x66, 0x3c, 0x11, 0xdb, 0x76, 0x6c, 0x59, 0x5a, 0x96, 0x8a,
+	0x19, 0x13, 0xe2, 0xd0, 0x63, 0x5b, 0x7b, 0x27, 0x41, 0xbe, 0xce, 0xc8, 0xa3, 0x7d, 0xdc, 0x7c,
+	0x8a, 0x89, 0xd5, 0xec, 0x6e, 0x50, 0x97, 0x63, 0x97, 0xa3, 0x7b, 0x90, 0x6d, 0x46, 0xcb, 0x50,
+	0x35, 0xe4, 0xca, 0x6a, 0x33, 0x5f, 0x0f, 0x4a, 0x59, 0xa1, 0x31, 0x63, 0x05, 0x5a, 0x84, 0x69,
+	0xab, 0xcd, 0x77, 0xa9, 0xef, 0xf0, 0xae, 0x3c, 0x11, 0xd6, 0xdf, 0x0b, 0xac, 0xe5, 0x02, 0x03,
+	0xbd, 0xbd, 0xa6, 0xc2, 0xe2, 0xa0, 0x12, 0x62, 0x13, 0xda, 0x47, 0x09, 0xb2, 0x75, 0x46, 0x5e,
+	0x52, 0x8e, 0x51, 0x79, 0x80, 0xa1, 0xda, 0xec, 0xef, 0xe3, 0xa5, 0xb3, 0xe1, 0xb3, 0x0e, 0x91,
+	0x0e, 0x57, 0x3a, 0x94, 0x63, 0x3f, 0xaa, 0x63, 0xc4, 0xed, 0x47, 0x34, 0xb4, 0x0a, 0x93, 0xd4,
+	0xe3, 0x0e, 0x75, 0xc3, 0xbf, 0x2b, 0x57, 0x55, 0xf5, 0xfe, 0x51, 0xd0, 0x83, 0x5a, 0x9e, 0x85,
+	0x2c, 0x53, 0xb0, 0xd7, 0x20, 0x70, 0x15, 0xe5, 0xd0, 0xe6, 0x60, 0x56, 0x14, 0x9c, 0x98, 0xf8,
+	0x22, 0x25, 0xb1, 0x57, 0xd8, 0x21, 0xbb, 0x1c, 0xdb, 0xff, 0xc1, 0xcc, 0x03, 0xc8, 0x46, 0xe5,
+	0x31, 0x39, 0x1d, 0xf6, 0xef, 0xca, 0x20, 0x37, 0x71, 0x41, 0x67, 0x5c, 0xc5, 0xb2, 0x73, 0xb6,
+	0x0a, 0x30, 0x7f, 0xc1, 0x42, 0x62, 0xef, 0xb3, 0x04, 0x50, 0x67, 0x24, 0xee, 0xfa, 0x7f, 0x77,
+	0xb6, 0x0a, 0xd3, 0x62, 0xd2, 0xe8, 0xe5, 0xee, 0x7a, 0x54, 0x74, 0x17, 0x26, 0xad, 0x16, 0x6d,
+	0xbb, 0x5c, 0x18, 0xbc, 0x74, 0x40, 0x05, 0x5d, 0x74, 0x61, 0x92, 0x48, 0xcb, 0x03, 0xea, 0x19,
+	0x88, 0x7d, 0x55, 0x7f, 0xa4, 0x21, 0x5d, 0x67, 0x04, 0xed, 0x40, 0xee, 0xc2, 0x47, 0xe5, 0xc6,
+	0xa0, 0x9b, 0xec, 0x9b, 0x44, 0xa5, 0x34, 0x16, 0x2d, 0x19, 0x58, 0x0a, 0x73, 0xfd, 0xb3, 0x58,
+	0x1c, 0x92, 0xa3, 0x8f, 0xa9, 0x94, 0xc7, 0x65, 0x26, 0x07, 0x6e, 0x42, 0x26, 0x1c, 0xac, 0x85,
+	0x21, 0xca, 0x00, 0x54, 0xae, 0x8f, 0x00, 0x93, 0x4c, 0x6f, 0xe0, 0xea, 0xb9, 0xee, 0x1e, 0x25,
+	0x8a, 0x49, 0xca, 0xad, 0x31, 0x48, 0xc9, 0x09, 0x2f, 0x20, 0x1b, 0x37, 0x98, 0x3a, 0x44, 0x27,
+	0x70, 0x65, 0x65, 0x34, 0x1e, 0xa7, 0xac, 0x3d, 0x39, 0x3c, 0x51, 0xa5, 0xa3, 0x13, 0x55, 0xfa,
+	0x79, 0xa2, 0x4a, 0x1f, 0x4e, 0xd5, 0xd4, 0xd1, 0xa9, 0x9a, 0xfa, 0x7e, 0xaa, 0xa6, 0x5e, 0x97,
+	0x89, 0xc3, 0x77, 0xdb, 0x0d, 0xbd, 0x49, 0x5b, 0xe2, 0x5d, 0x12, 0x3f, 0x25, 0x66, 0xbf, 0x35,
+	0xf6, 0xc3, 0x57, 0x8e, 0x77, 0x3d, 0xcc, 0xe2, 0xb7, 0xae, 0x31, 0x19, 0x7e, 0x19, 0x6f, 0xff,
+	0x0d, 0x00, 0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x50, 0xa3, 0xc5, 0x32, 0x59, 0x07, 0x00, 0x00,
 }
 
 // Reference imports to suppress errors if they are not otherwise used.
@@ -1509,7 +1508,7 @@ func (m *MsgSubmitProposal) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTx
@@ -1519,25 +1518,23 @@ func (m *MsgSubmitProposal) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.Metadata = append(m.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.Metadata == nil {
-				m.Metadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		default:
 			iNdEx = preIndex
diff --git a/x/group/client/cli/tx.go b/x/group/client/cli/tx.go
index 1c29ebf518..4b6a08e378 100644
--- a/x/group/client/cli/tx.go
+++ b/x/group/client/cli/tx.go
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package cli
 
 import (
-	"encoding/base64"
 	"fmt"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
@@ -12,7 +11,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/client/flags"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/client/tx"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
-	sdkerrors "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/errors"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/version"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/group"
 )
@@ -104,15 +102,10 @@ Where members.json contains:
 				return err
 			}
 
-			metadata, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(args[1])
-			if err != nil {
-				return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidRequest, "metadata is malformed, proper base64 string is required")
-			}
-
 			msg := &group.MsgCreateGroup{
 				Admin:    clientCtx.GetFromAddress().String(),
 				Members:  members,
-				Metadata: metadata,
+				Metadata: args[1],
 			}
 			if err = msg.ValidateBasic(); err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("message validation failed: %w", err)
@@ -262,14 +255,9 @@ func MsgUpdateGroupMetadataCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				return err
 			}
 
-			b, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(args[2])
-			if err != nil {
-				return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidRequest, "metadata is malformed, proper base64 string is required")
-			}
-
 			msg := &group.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata{
 				Admin:    clientCtx.GetFromAddress().String(),
-				Metadata: b,
+				Metadata: args[2],
 				GroupId:  groupID,
 			}
 			if err = msg.ValidateBasic(); err != nil {
@@ -345,16 +333,6 @@ where members.json contains:
 				return err
 			}
 
-			groupMetadata, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(args[1])
-			if err != nil {
-				return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidRequest, "group metadata is malformed, proper base64 string is required")
-			}
-
-			groupPolicyMetadata, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(args[2])
-			if err != nil {
-				return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidRequest, "group policy metadata is malformed, proper base64 string is required")
-			}
-
 			var policy group.DecisionPolicy
 			if err := clientCtx.Codec.UnmarshalInterfaceJSON([]byte(args[4]), &policy); err != nil {
 				return err
@@ -363,8 +341,8 @@ where members.json contains:
 			msg, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(
 				clientCtx.GetFromAddress().String(),
 				members,
-				groupMetadata,
-				groupPolicyMetadata,
+				args[1],
+				args[2],
 				groupPolicyAsAdmin,
 				policy,
 			)
@@ -429,15 +407,10 @@ Ex: '{"@type":"/cosmos.group.v1beta1.PercentageDecisionPolicy", "percentage":"0.
 				return err
 			}
 
-			b, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(args[2])
-			if err != nil {
-				return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidRequest, "metadata is malformed, proper base64 string is required")
-			}
-
 			msg, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(
 				clientCtx.GetFromAddress(),
 				groupID,
-				b,
+				args[2],
 				policy,
 			)
 			if err != nil {
@@ -557,15 +530,10 @@ func MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadataCmd() *cobra.Command {
 				return err
 			}
 
-			b, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(args[2])
-			if err != nil {
-				return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidRequest, "metadata is malformed, proper base64 string is required")
-			}
-
 			msg := &group.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata{
 				Admin:    clientCtx.GetFromAddress().String(),
 				Address:  args[1],
-				Metadata: b,
+				Metadata: args[2],
 			}
 			if err = msg.ValidateBasic(); err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("message validation failed: %w", err)
@@ -748,18 +716,13 @@ Parameters:
 				return err
 			}
 
-			b, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(args[3])
-			if err != nil {
-				return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidRequest, "metadata is malformed, proper base64 string is required")
-			}
-
 			execStr, _ := cmd.Flags().GetString(FlagExec)
 
 			msg := &group.MsgVote{
 				ProposalId: proposalID,
 				Voter:      args[1],
 				Option:     voteOption,
-				Metadata:   b,
+				Metadata:   args[3],
 				Exec:       execFromString(execStr),
 			}
 			if err != nil {
diff --git a/x/group/client/cli/util.go b/x/group/client/cli/util.go
index bcc2001e8e..2c187bdd70 100644
--- a/x/group/client/cli/util.go
+++ b/x/group/client/cli/util.go
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ type CLIProposal struct {
 	GroupPolicyAddress string
 	// Messages defines an array of sdk.Msgs proto-JSON-encoded as Anys.
 	Messages  []json.RawMessage
-	Metadata  []byte
+	Metadata  string
 	Proposers []string
 }
 
diff --git a/x/group/client/testutil/query.go b/x/group/client/testutil/query.go
index f96215ca26..da3d936e29 100644
--- a/x/group/client/testutil/query.go
+++ b/x/group/client/testutil/query.go
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ func (s *IntegrationTestSuite) TestQueryGroupMembers() {
 					Member: &group.Member{
 						Address:  val.Address.String(),
 						Weight:   "3",
-						Metadata: []byte{1},
+						Metadata: validMetadata,
 					},
 				},
 			},
diff --git a/x/group/client/testutil/tx.go b/x/group/client/testutil/tx.go
index bee52e27b0..e51b3210f4 100644
--- a/x/group/client/testutil/tx.go
+++ b/x/group/client/testutil/tx.go
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ type IntegrationTestSuite struct {
 	vote          *group.Vote
 }
 
-const validMetadata = "AQ=="
+const validMetadata = "metadata"
 
 func NewIntegrationTestSuite(cfg network.Config) *IntegrationTestSuite {
 	return &IntegrationTestSuite{cfg: cfg}
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ func (s *IntegrationTestSuite) SetupSuite() {
 	s.Require().NoError(val.ClientCtx.Codec.UnmarshalJSON(out.Bytes(), &txResp), out.String())
 	s.Require().Equal(uint32(0), txResp.Code, out.String())
 
-	s.group = &group.GroupInfo{Id: 1, Admin: val.Address.String(), Metadata: []byte{1}, TotalWeight: "3", Version: 1}
+	s.group = &group.GroupInfo{Id: 1, Admin: val.Address.String(), Metadata: validMetadata, TotalWeight: "3", Version: 1}
 
 	// create 5 group policies
 	for i := 0; i < 5; i++ {
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ func (s *IntegrationTestSuite) TestTxCreateGroup() {
 			append(
 				[]string{
 					val.Address.String(),
-					"AQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQ==",
+					strings.Repeat("a", 256),
 					"",
 				},
 				commonFlags...,
@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ func (s *IntegrationTestSuite) TestTxUpdateGroupMetadata() {
 				[]string{
 					val.Address.String(),
 					strconv.FormatUint(s.group.Id, 10),
-					"AQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQ==",
+					strings.Repeat("a", 256),
 				},
 				commonFlags...,
 			),
@@ -798,7 +798,7 @@ func (s *IntegrationTestSuite) TestTxCreateGroupWithPolicy() {
 			append(
 				[]string{
 					val.Address.String(),
-					"AQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQ==",
+					strings.Repeat("a", 256),
 					validMetadata,
 					validMembersFile.Name(),
 					"{\"@type\":\"/cosmos.group.v1beta1.ThresholdDecisionPolicy\", \"threshold\":\"1\", \"timeout\":\"1s\"}",
@@ -817,7 +817,7 @@ func (s *IntegrationTestSuite) TestTxCreateGroupWithPolicy() {
 				[]string{
 					val.Address.String(),
 					validMetadata,
-					"AQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQEBAQ==",
+					strings.Repeat("a", 256),
 					validMembersFile.Name(),
 					"{\"@type\":\"/cosmos.group.v1beta1.ThresholdDecisionPolicy\", \"threshold\":\"1\", \"timeout\":\"1s\"}",
 					fmt.Sprintf("--%s=%v", client.FlagGroupPolicyAsAdmin, false),
@@ -2125,7 +2125,7 @@ func (s *IntegrationTestSuite) createCLIProposal(groupPolicyAddress, proposer, s
 	p := client.CLIProposal{
 		GroupPolicyAddress: groupPolicyAddress,
 		Messages:           []json.RawMessage{msgJSON},
-		Metadata:           bz,
+		Metadata:           metadata,
 		Proposers:          []string{proposer},
 	}
 
diff --git a/x/group/genesis_test.go b/x/group/genesis_test.go
index 5feaac8e9f..f1ab9962b1 100644
--- a/x/group/genesis_test.go
+++ b/x/group/genesis_test.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 		GroupId:  1,
 		Admin:    accAddr.String(),
 		Version:  1,
-		Metadata: []byte("policy metadata"),
+		Metadata: "policy metadata",
 	}
 	err := groupPolicy.SetDecisionPolicy(&ThresholdDecisionPolicy{
 		Threshold: "1",
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 		GroupId:  1,
 		Admin:    accAddr.String(),
 		Version:  1,
-		Metadata: []byte("policy metadata"),
+		Metadata: "policy metadata",
 	}
 	err = groupPolicy2.SetDecisionPolicy(&ThresholdDecisionPolicy{
 		Threshold: "1",
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 	proposal := &Proposal{
 		Id:                 1,
 		Address:            accAddr.String(),
-		Metadata:           []byte("proposal metadata"),
+		Metadata:           "proposal metadata",
 		GroupVersion:       1,
 		GroupPolicyVersion: 1,
 		Proposers: []string{
@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 			"valid genesisState",
 			GenesisState{
 				GroupSeq:       2,
-				Groups:         []*GroupInfo{{Id: 1, Admin: accAddr.String(), Metadata: []byte("1"), Version: 1, TotalWeight: "1"}, {Id: 2, Admin: accAddr.String(), Metadata: []byte("2"), Version: 2, TotalWeight: "2"}},
-				GroupMembers:   []*GroupMember{{GroupId: 1, Member: &Member{Address: memberAddr.String(), Weight: "1", Metadata: []byte("member metadata")}}, {GroupId: 2, Member: &Member{Address: memberAddr.String(), Weight: "2", Metadata: []byte("member metadata")}}},
+				Groups:         []*GroupInfo{{Id: 1, Admin: accAddr.String(), Metadata: "1", Version: 1, TotalWeight: "1"}, {Id: 2, Admin: accAddr.String(), Metadata: "2", Version: 2, TotalWeight: "2"}},
+				GroupMembers:   []*GroupMember{{GroupId: 1, Member: &Member{Address: memberAddr.String(), Weight: "1", Metadata: "member metadata"}}, {GroupId: 2, Member: &Member{Address: memberAddr.String(), Weight: "2", Metadata: "member metadata"}}},
 				GroupPolicySeq: 1,
 				GroupPolicies:  []*GroupPolicyInfo{groupPolicy},
 				ProposalSeq:    1,
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          0,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       "invalid admin",
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     0,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "-1",
 					},
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 						GroupId:  1,
 						Admin:    accAddr.String(),
 						Version:  1,
-						Metadata: []byte("policy metadata"),
+						Metadata: "policy metadata",
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 						GroupId:  1,
 						Admin:    "invalid admin",
 						Version:  1,
-						Metadata: []byte("policy metadata"),
+						Metadata: "policy metadata",
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 						GroupId:  0,
 						Admin:    accAddr.String(),
 						Version:  1,
-						Metadata: []byte("policy metadata"),
+						Metadata: "policy metadata",
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 						GroupId:  1,
 						Admin:    accAddr.String(),
 						Version:  0,
-						Metadata: []byte("policy metadata"),
+						Metadata: "policy metadata",
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 						GroupId:        1,
 						Admin:          accAddr.String(),
 						Version:        1,
-						Metadata:       []byte("policy metadata"),
+						Metadata:       "policy metadata",
 						DecisionPolicy: groupPolicy2.DecisionPolicy,
 					},
 				},
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 						GroupId: 0,
 						Member: &Member{
 							Address: memberAddr.String(),
-							Weight:  "1", Metadata: []byte("member metadata"),
+							Weight:  "1", Metadata: "member metadata",
 						},
 					},
 				},
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 						GroupId: 1,
 						Member: &Member{
 							Address: "invalid address",
-							Weight:  "1", Metadata: []byte("member metadata"),
+							Weight:  "1", Metadata: "member metadata",
 						},
 					},
 				},
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 						GroupId: 1,
 						Member: &Member{
 							Address: memberAddr.String(),
-							Weight:  "-1", Metadata: []byte("member metadata"),
+							Weight:  "-1", Metadata: "member metadata",
 						},
 					},
 				},
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:                 0,
 						Address:            accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:           []byte("proposal metadata"),
+						Metadata:           "proposal metadata",
 						GroupVersion:       1,
 						GroupPolicyVersion: 1,
 					},
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:                 1,
 						Address:            "invalid address",
-						Metadata:           []byte("proposal metadata"),
+						Metadata:           "proposal metadata",
 						GroupVersion:       1,
 						GroupPolicyVersion: 1,
 					},
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:                 1,
 						Address:            accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:           []byte("proposal metadata"),
+						Metadata:           "proposal metadata",
 						GroupVersion:       0,
 						GroupPolicyVersion: 1,
 					},
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -454,7 +454,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:                 1,
 						Address:            accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:           []byte("proposal metadata"),
+						Metadata:           "proposal metadata",
 						GroupVersion:       1,
 						GroupPolicyVersion: 0,
 					},
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:                 1,
 						Address:            accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:           []byte("proposal metadata"),
+						Metadata:           "proposal metadata",
 						GroupVersion:       1,
 						GroupPolicyVersion: 1,
 						Proposers: []string{
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -520,7 +520,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:                 1,
 						Address:            accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:           []byte("proposal metadata"),
+						Metadata:           "proposal metadata",
 						GroupVersion:       1,
 						GroupPolicyVersion: 1,
 						Proposers: []string{
@@ -547,7 +547,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -559,7 +559,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:                 1,
 						Address:            accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:           []byte("proposal metadata"),
+						Metadata:           "proposal metadata",
 						GroupVersion:       1,
 						GroupPolicyVersion: 1,
 						Proposers: []string{
@@ -586,7 +586,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -598,7 +598,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:                 1,
 						Address:            accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:           []byte("proposal metadata"),
+						Metadata:           "proposal metadata",
 						GroupVersion:       1,
 						GroupPolicyVersion: 1,
 						Proposers: []string{
@@ -625,7 +625,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -654,7 +654,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -683,7 +683,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
@@ -712,7 +712,7 @@ func TestGenesisStateValidate(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Id:          1,
 						Admin:       accAddr.String(),
-						Metadata:    []byte("1"),
+						Metadata:    "1",
 						Version:     1,
 						TotalWeight: "1",
 					},
diff --git a/x/group/keeper/genesis_test.go b/x/group/keeper/genesis_test.go
index 56cd372bf1..3488d65e75 100644
--- a/x/group/keeper/genesis_test.go
+++ b/x/group/keeper/genesis_test.go
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ func (s *GenesisTestSuite) TestInitExportGenesis() {
 		GroupId:  1,
 		Admin:    accAddr.String(),
 		Version:  1,
-		Metadata: []byte("policy metadata"),
+		Metadata: "policy metadata",
 	}
 	err := groupPolicy.SetDecisionPolicy(&group.ThresholdDecisionPolicy{
 		Threshold: "1",
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ func (s *GenesisTestSuite) TestInitExportGenesis() {
 	proposal := &group.Proposal{
 		Id:                 1,
 		Address:            accAddr.String(),
-		Metadata:           []byte("proposal metadata"),
+		Metadata:           "proposal metadata",
 		GroupVersion:       1,
 		GroupPolicyVersion: 1,
 		Proposers: []string{
@@ -107,8 +107,8 @@ func (s *GenesisTestSuite) TestInitExportGenesis() {
 
 	genesisState := &group.GenesisState{
 		GroupSeq:       2,
-		Groups:         []*group.GroupInfo{{Id: 1, Admin: accAddr.String(), Metadata: []byte("1"), Version: 1, TotalWeight: "1"}, {Id: 2, Admin: accAddr.String(), Metadata: []byte("2"), Version: 2, TotalWeight: "2"}},
-		GroupMembers:   []*group.GroupMember{{GroupId: 1, Member: &group.Member{Address: memberAddr.String(), Weight: "1", Metadata: []byte("member metadata")}}, {GroupId: 2, Member: &group.Member{Address: memberAddr.String(), Weight: "2", Metadata: []byte("member metadata")}}},
+		Groups:         []*group.GroupInfo{{Id: 1, Admin: accAddr.String(), Metadata: "1", Version: 1, TotalWeight: "1"}, {Id: 2, Admin: accAddr.String(), Metadata: "2", Version: 2, TotalWeight: "2"}},
+		GroupMembers:   []*group.GroupMember{{GroupId: 1, Member: &group.Member{Address: memberAddr.String(), Weight: "1", Metadata: "member metadata"}}, {GroupId: 2, Member: &group.Member{Address: memberAddr.String(), Weight: "2", Metadata: "member metadata"}}},
 		GroupPolicySeq: 1,
 		GroupPolicies:  []*group.GroupPolicyInfo{groupPolicy},
 		ProposalSeq:    1,
diff --git a/x/group/keeper/grpc_query_test.go b/x/group/keeper/grpc_query_test.go
index 2b2b46583b..c9d91e728c 100644
--- a/x/group/keeper/grpc_query_test.go
+++ b/x/group/keeper/grpc_query_test.go
@@ -27,9 +27,8 @@ func TestQueryGroupsByMember(t *testing.T) {
 		{Address: addrs[2].String(), Weight: "1"}, {Address: addrs[3].String(), Weight: "2"},
 	}
 	_, err := app.GroupKeeper.CreateGroup(sdkCtx, &group.MsgCreateGroup{
-		Admin:    addrs[0].String(),
-		Members:  members,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   addrs[0].String(),
+		Members: members,
 	})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -37,9 +36,8 @@ func TestQueryGroupsByMember(t *testing.T) {
 		{Address: addrs[3].String(), Weight: "1"}, {Address: addrs[4].String(), Weight: "2"},
 	}
 	_, err = app.GroupKeeper.CreateGroup(sdkCtx, &group.MsgCreateGroup{
-		Admin:    addrs[1].String(),
-		Members:  members,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   addrs[1].String(),
+		Members: members,
 	})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
diff --git a/x/group/keeper/keeper_test.go b/x/group/keeper/keeper_test.go
index c32b3551b2..db46581aa1 100644
--- a/x/group/keeper/keeper_test.go
+++ b/x/group/keeper/keeper_test.go
@@ -52,9 +52,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) SetupTest() {
 		{Address: s.addrs[4].String(), Weight: "1"}, {Address: s.addrs[1].String(), Weight: "2"},
 	}
 	groupRes, err := s.keeper.CreateGroup(s.ctx, &group.MsgCreateGroup{
-		Admin:    s.addrs[0].String(),
-		Members:  members,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   s.addrs[0].String(),
+		Members: members,
 	})
 	s.Require().NoError(err)
 	s.groupID = groupRes.GroupId
@@ -64,9 +63,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) SetupTest() {
 		time.Second,
 	)
 	policyReq := &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-		Admin:    s.addrs[0].String(),
-		GroupId:  s.groupID,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   s.addrs[0].String(),
+		GroupId: s.groupID,
 	}
 	err = policyReq.SetDecisionPolicy(policy)
 	s.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -90,15 +88,13 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroup() {
 	addr6 := addrs[5]
 
 	members := []group.Member{{
-		Address:  addr5.String(),
-		Weight:   "1",
-		Metadata: nil,
-		AddedAt:  s.blockTime,
+		Address: addr5.String(),
+		Weight:  "1",
+		AddedAt: s.blockTime,
 	}, {
-		Address:  addr6.String(),
-		Weight:   "2",
-		Metadata: nil,
-		AddedAt:  s.blockTime,
+		Address: addr6.String(),
+		Weight:  "2",
+		AddedAt: s.blockTime,
 	}}
 
 	expGroups := []*group.GroupInfo{
@@ -107,7 +103,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroup() {
 			Version:     1,
 			Admin:       addr1.String(),
 			TotalWeight: "3",
-			Metadata:    nil,
 			CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
 		},
 		{
@@ -115,7 +110,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroup() {
 			Version:     1,
 			Admin:       addr1.String(),
 			TotalWeight: "3",
-			Metadata:    nil,
 			CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
 		},
 	}
@@ -127,9 +121,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroup() {
 	}{
 		"all good": {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroup{
-				Admin:    addr1.String(),
-				Members:  members,
-				Metadata: nil,
+				Admin:   addr1.String(),
+				Members: members,
 			},
 			expGroups: expGroups,
 		},
@@ -137,7 +130,7 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroup() {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroup{
 				Admin:    addr1.String(),
 				Members:  members,
-				Metadata: bytes.Repeat([]byte{1}, 256),
+				Metadata: strings.Repeat("a", 256),
 			},
 			expErr: true,
 		},
@@ -147,9 +140,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroup() {
 				Members: []group.Member{{
 					Address:  addr3.String(),
 					Weight:   "1",
-					Metadata: bytes.Repeat([]byte{1}, 256),
+					Metadata: strings.Repeat("a", 256),
 				}},
-				Metadata: nil,
 			},
 			expErr: true,
 		},
@@ -157,11 +149,9 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroup() {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroup{
 				Admin: addr1.String(),
 				Members: []group.Member{{
-					Address:  addr3.String(),
-					Weight:   "0",
-					Metadata: nil,
+					Address: addr3.String(),
+					Weight:  "0",
 				}},
-				Metadata: nil,
 			},
 			expErr: true,
 		},
@@ -239,17 +229,15 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupAdmin() {
 	addr4 := addrs[3]
 
 	members := []group.Member{{
-		Address:  addr1.String(),
-		Weight:   "1",
-		Metadata: nil,
-		AddedAt:  s.blockTime,
+		Address: addr1.String(),
+		Weight:  "1",
+		AddedAt: s.blockTime,
 	}}
 	oldAdmin := addr2.String()
 	newAdmin := addr3.String()
 	groupRes, err := s.keeper.CreateGroup(s.ctx, &group.MsgCreateGroup{
-		Admin:    oldAdmin,
-		Members:  members,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   oldAdmin,
+		Members: members,
 	})
 	s.Require().NoError(err)
 	groupID := groupRes.GroupId
@@ -267,7 +255,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupAdmin() {
 			expStored: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       newAdmin,
-				Metadata:    nil,
 				TotalWeight: "1",
 				Version:     2,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -283,7 +270,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupAdmin() {
 			expStored: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       oldAdmin,
-				Metadata:    nil,
 				TotalWeight: "1",
 				Version:     1,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -299,7 +285,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupAdmin() {
 			expStored: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       oldAdmin,
-				Metadata:    nil,
 				TotalWeight: "1",
 				Version:     1,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -339,14 +324,12 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMetadata() {
 	}{
 		"with correct admin": {
 			req: &group.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata{
-				GroupId:  groupID,
-				Admin:    oldAdmin,
-				Metadata: []byte{1, 2, 3},
+				GroupId: groupID,
+				Admin:   oldAdmin,
 			},
 			expStored: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       oldAdmin,
-				Metadata:    []byte{1, 2, 3},
 				TotalWeight: "3",
 				Version:     2,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -354,15 +337,13 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMetadata() {
 		},
 		"with wrong admin": {
 			req: &group.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata{
-				GroupId:  groupID,
-				Admin:    addr3.String(),
-				Metadata: []byte{1, 2, 3},
+				GroupId: groupID,
+				Admin:   addr3.String(),
 			},
 			expErr: true,
 			expStored: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       oldAdmin,
-				Metadata:    nil,
 				TotalWeight: "1",
 				Version:     1,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -370,15 +351,13 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMetadata() {
 		},
 		"with unknown groupid": {
 			req: &group.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata{
-				GroupId:  999,
-				Admin:    oldAdmin,
-				Metadata: []byte{1, 2, 3},
+				GroupId: 999,
+				Admin:   oldAdmin,
 			},
 			expErr: true,
 			expStored: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       oldAdmin,
-				Metadata:    nil,
 				TotalWeight: "1",
 				Version:     1,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -415,16 +394,14 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMembers() {
 	member1 := addr5.String()
 	member2 := addr6.String()
 	members := []group.Member{{
-		Address:  member1,
-		Weight:   "1",
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Address: member1,
+		Weight:  "1",
 	}}
 
 	myAdmin := addr4.String()
 	groupRes, err := s.keeper.CreateGroup(s.ctx, &group.MsgCreateGroup{
-		Admin:    myAdmin,
-		Members:  members,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   myAdmin,
+		Members: members,
 	})
 	s.Require().NoError(err)
 	groupID := groupRes.GroupId
@@ -440,15 +417,13 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMembers() {
 				GroupId: groupID,
 				Admin:   myAdmin,
 				MemberUpdates: []group.Member{{
-					Address:  member2,
-					Weight:   "2",
-					Metadata: nil,
+					Address: member2,
+					Weight:  "2",
 				}},
 			},
 			expGroup: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       myAdmin,
-				Metadata:    nil,
 				TotalWeight: "3",
 				Version:     2,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -456,17 +431,15 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMembers() {
 			expMembers: []*group.GroupMember{
 				{
 					Member: &group.Member{
-						Address:  member2,
-						Weight:   "2",
-						Metadata: nil,
+						Address: member2,
+						Weight:  "2",
 					},
 					GroupId: groupID,
 				},
 				{
 					Member: &group.Member{
-						Address:  member1,
-						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: nil,
+						Address: member1,
+						Weight:  "1",
 					},
 					GroupId: groupID,
 				},
@@ -477,15 +450,13 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMembers() {
 				GroupId: groupID,
 				Admin:   myAdmin,
 				MemberUpdates: []group.Member{{
-					Address:  member1,
-					Weight:   "2",
-					Metadata: []byte{1, 2, 3},
+					Address: member1,
+					Weight:  "2",
 				}},
 			},
 			expGroup: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       myAdmin,
-				Metadata:    nil,
 				TotalWeight: "2",
 				Version:     2,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -494,9 +465,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMembers() {
 				{
 					GroupId: groupID,
 					Member: &group.Member{
-						Address:  member1,
-						Weight:   "2",
-						Metadata: []byte{1, 2, 3},
+						Address: member1,
+						Weight:  "2",
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -513,7 +483,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMembers() {
 			expGroup: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       myAdmin,
-				Metadata:    nil,
 				TotalWeight: "1",
 				Version:     2,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -534,21 +503,18 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMembers() {
 				Admin:   myAdmin,
 				MemberUpdates: []group.Member{
 					{
-						Address:  member1,
-						Weight:   "0",
-						Metadata: nil,
+						Address: member1,
+						Weight:  "0",
 					},
 					{
-						Address:  member2,
-						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: nil,
+						Address: member2,
+						Weight:  "1",
 					},
 				},
 			},
 			expGroup: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       myAdmin,
-				Metadata:    nil,
 				TotalWeight: "1",
 				Version:     2,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -556,9 +522,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMembers() {
 			expMembers: []*group.GroupMember{{
 				GroupId: groupID,
 				Member: &group.Member{
-					Address:  member2,
-					Weight:   "1",
-					Metadata: nil,
+					Address: member2,
+					Weight:  "1",
 				},
 			}},
 		},
@@ -567,15 +532,13 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMembers() {
 				GroupId: groupID,
 				Admin:   myAdmin,
 				MemberUpdates: []group.Member{{
-					Address:  member1,
-					Weight:   "0",
-					Metadata: nil,
+					Address: member1,
+					Weight:  "0",
 				}},
 			},
 			expGroup: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       myAdmin,
-				Metadata:    nil,
 				TotalWeight: "0",
 				Version:     2,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -587,16 +550,14 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMembers() {
 				GroupId: groupID,
 				Admin:   myAdmin,
 				MemberUpdates: []group.Member{{
-					Address:  addr4.String(),
-					Weight:   "0",
-					Metadata: nil,
+					Address: addr4.String(),
+					Weight:  "0",
 				}},
 			},
 			expErr: true,
 			expGroup: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       myAdmin,
-				Metadata:    nil,
 				TotalWeight: "1",
 				Version:     1,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -604,9 +565,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMembers() {
 			expMembers: []*group.GroupMember{{
 				GroupId: groupID,
 				Member: &group.Member{
-					Address:  member1,
-					Weight:   "1",
-					Metadata: nil,
+					Address: member1,
+					Weight:  "1",
 				},
 			}},
 		},
@@ -615,16 +575,14 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMembers() {
 				GroupId: groupID,
 				Admin:   addr3.String(),
 				MemberUpdates: []group.Member{{
-					Address:  member1,
-					Weight:   "2",
-					Metadata: nil,
+					Address: member1,
+					Weight:  "2",
 				}},
 			},
 			expErr: true,
 			expGroup: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       myAdmin,
-				Metadata:    nil,
 				TotalWeight: "1",
 				Version:     1,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -642,16 +600,14 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupMembers() {
 				GroupId: 999,
 				Admin:   myAdmin,
 				MemberUpdates: []group.Member{{
-					Address:  member1,
-					Weight:   "2",
-					Metadata: nil,
+					Address: member1,
+					Weight:  "2",
 				}},
 			},
 			expErr: true,
 			expGroup: &group.GroupInfo{
 				Id:          groupID,
 				Admin:       myAdmin,
-				Metadata:    nil,
 				TotalWeight: "1",
 				Version:     1,
 				CreatedAt:   s.blockTime,
@@ -713,15 +669,13 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupWithPolicy() {
 	addr6 := addrs[5]
 
 	members := []group.Member{{
-		Address:  addr5.String(),
-		Weight:   "1",
-		Metadata: nil,
-		AddedAt:  s.blockTime,
+		Address: addr5.String(),
+		Weight:  "1",
+		AddedAt: s.blockTime,
 	}, {
-		Address:  addr6.String(),
-		Weight:   "2",
-		Metadata: nil,
-		AddedAt:  s.blockTime,
+		Address: addr6.String(),
+		Weight:  "2",
+		AddedAt: s.blockTime,
 	}}
 
 	specs := map[string]struct {
@@ -732,11 +686,9 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupWithPolicy() {
 	}{
 		"all good": {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy{
-				Admin:               addr1.String(),
-				Members:             members,
-				GroupMetadata:       nil,
-				GroupPolicyMetadata: nil,
-				GroupPolicyAsAdmin:  false,
+				Admin:              addr1.String(),
+				Members:            members,
+				GroupPolicyAsAdmin: false,
 			},
 			policy: group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
 				"1",
@@ -745,11 +697,9 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupWithPolicy() {
 		},
 		"group policy as admin is true": {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy{
-				Admin:               addr1.String(),
-				Members:             members,
-				GroupMetadata:       nil,
-				GroupPolicyMetadata: nil,
-				GroupPolicyAsAdmin:  true,
+				Admin:              addr1.String(),
+				Members:            members,
+				GroupPolicyAsAdmin: true,
 			},
 			policy: group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
 				"1",
@@ -758,11 +708,10 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupWithPolicy() {
 		},
 		"group metadata too long": {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy{
-				Admin:               addr1.String(),
-				Members:             members,
-				GroupMetadata:       bytes.Repeat([]byte{1}, 256),
-				GroupPolicyMetadata: nil,
-				GroupPolicyAsAdmin:  false,
+				Admin:              addr1.String(),
+				Members:            members,
+				GroupPolicyAsAdmin: false,
+				GroupMetadata:      strings.Repeat("a", 256),
 			},
 			policy: group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
 				"1",
@@ -775,9 +724,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupWithPolicy() {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy{
 				Admin:               addr1.String(),
 				Members:             members,
-				GroupMetadata:       nil,
-				GroupPolicyMetadata: bytes.Repeat([]byte{1}, 256),
 				GroupPolicyAsAdmin:  false,
+				GroupPolicyMetadata: strings.Repeat("a", 256),
 			},
 			policy: group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
 				"1",
@@ -792,11 +740,9 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupWithPolicy() {
 				Members: []group.Member{{
 					Address:  addr3.String(),
 					Weight:   "1",
-					Metadata: bytes.Repeat([]byte{1}, 256),
+					Metadata: strings.Repeat("a", 256),
 				}},
-				GroupMetadata:       nil,
-				GroupPolicyMetadata: nil,
-				GroupPolicyAsAdmin:  false,
+				GroupPolicyAsAdmin: false,
 			},
 			policy: group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
 				"1",
@@ -809,13 +755,10 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupWithPolicy() {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy{
 				Admin: addr1.String(),
 				Members: []group.Member{{
-					Address:  addr3.String(),
-					Weight:   "0",
-					Metadata: nil,
+					Address: addr3.String(),
+					Weight:  "0",
 				}},
-				GroupMetadata:       nil,
-				GroupPolicyMetadata: nil,
-				GroupPolicyAsAdmin:  false,
+				GroupPolicyAsAdmin: false,
 			},
 			policy: group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
 				"1",
@@ -826,11 +769,9 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupWithPolicy() {
 		},
 		"decision policy threshold > total group weight": {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy{
-				Admin:               addr1.String(),
-				Members:             members,
-				GroupMetadata:       nil,
-				GroupPolicyMetadata: nil,
-				GroupPolicyAsAdmin:  false,
+				Admin:              addr1.String(),
+				Members:            members,
+				GroupPolicyAsAdmin: false,
 			},
 			policy: group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
 				"10",
@@ -915,9 +856,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupPolicy() {
 	addr4 := addrs[3]
 
 	groupRes, err := s.keeper.CreateGroup(s.ctx, &group.MsgCreateGroup{
-		Admin:    addr1.String(),
-		Members:  nil,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   addr1.String(),
+		Members: nil,
 	})
 	s.Require().NoError(err)
 	myGroupID := groupRes.GroupId
@@ -930,9 +870,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupPolicy() {
 	}{
 		"all good": {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-				Admin:    addr1.String(),
-				Metadata: nil,
-				GroupId:  myGroupID,
+				Admin:   addr1.String(),
+				GroupId: myGroupID,
 			},
 			policy: group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
 				"1",
@@ -941,9 +880,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupPolicy() {
 		},
 		"all good with percentage decision policy": {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-				Admin:    addr1.String(),
-				Metadata: nil,
-				GroupId:  myGroupID,
+				Admin:   addr1.String(),
+				GroupId: myGroupID,
 			},
 			policy: group.NewPercentageDecisionPolicy(
 				"0.5",
@@ -952,9 +890,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupPolicy() {
 		},
 		"decision policy threshold > total group weight": {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-				Admin:    addr1.String(),
-				Metadata: nil,
-				GroupId:  myGroupID,
+				Admin:   addr1.String(),
+				GroupId: myGroupID,
 			},
 			policy: group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
 				"10",
@@ -963,9 +900,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupPolicy() {
 		},
 		"group id does not exists": {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-				Admin:    addr1.String(),
-				Metadata: nil,
-				GroupId:  9999,
+				Admin:   addr1.String(),
+				GroupId: 9999,
 			},
 			policy: group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
 				"1",
@@ -976,9 +912,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupPolicy() {
 		},
 		"admin not group admin": {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-				Admin:    addr4.String(),
-				Metadata: nil,
-				GroupId:  myGroupID,
+				Admin:   addr4.String(),
+				GroupId: myGroupID,
 			},
 			policy: group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
 				"1",
@@ -990,8 +925,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupPolicy() {
 		"metadata too long": {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
 				Admin:    addr1.String(),
-				Metadata: []byte(strings.Repeat("a", 256)),
 				GroupId:  myGroupID,
+				Metadata: strings.Repeat("a", 256),
 			},
 			policy: group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
 				"1",
@@ -1002,9 +937,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupPolicy() {
 		},
 		"percentage decision policy with negative value": {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-				Admin:    addr1.String(),
-				Metadata: nil,
-				GroupId:  myGroupID,
+				Admin:   addr1.String(),
+				GroupId: myGroupID,
 			},
 			policy: group.NewPercentageDecisionPolicy(
 				"-0.5",
@@ -1015,9 +949,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestCreateGroupPolicy() {
 		},
 		"percentage decision policy with value greater than 1": {
 			req: &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-				Admin:    addr1.String(),
-				Metadata: nil,
-				GroupId:  myGroupID,
+				Admin:   addr1.String(),
+				GroupId: myGroupID,
 			},
 			policy: group.NewPercentageDecisionPolicy(
 				"2",
@@ -1086,7 +1019,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupPolicyAdmin() {
 				Admin:          admin.String(),
 				Address:        groupPolicyAddr,
 				GroupId:        myGroupID,
-				Metadata:       nil,
 				Version:        2,
 				DecisionPolicy: nil,
 				CreatedAt:      s.blockTime,
@@ -1103,7 +1035,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupPolicyAdmin() {
 				Admin:          admin.String(),
 				Address:        groupPolicyAddr,
 				GroupId:        myGroupID,
-				Metadata:       nil,
 				Version:        2,
 				DecisionPolicy: nil,
 				CreatedAt:      s.blockTime,
@@ -1120,7 +1051,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupPolicyAdmin() {
 				Admin:          newAdmin.String(),
 				Address:        groupPolicyAddr,
 				GroupId:        myGroupID,
-				Metadata:       nil,
 				Version:        2,
 				DecisionPolicy: nil,
 				CreatedAt:      s.blockTime,
@@ -1164,42 +1094,37 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata() {
 	}{
 		"with wrong admin": {
 			req: &group.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata{
-				Admin:    addr5.String(),
-				Address:  groupPolicyAddr,
-				Metadata: []byte("hello"),
+				Admin:   addr5.String(),
+				Address: groupPolicyAddr,
 			},
 			expGroupPolicy: &group.GroupPolicyInfo{},
 			expErr:         true,
 		},
 		"with wrong group policy": {
 			req: &group.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata{
-				Admin:    admin.String(),
-				Address:  addr5.String(),
-				Metadata: []byte("hello"),
+				Admin:   admin.String(),
+				Address: addr5.String(),
 			},
 			expGroupPolicy: &group.GroupPolicyInfo{},
 			expErr:         true,
 		},
 		"with comment too long": {
 			req: &group.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata{
-				Admin:    admin.String(),
-				Address:  addr5.String(),
-				Metadata: []byte(strings.Repeat("a", 256)),
+				Admin:   admin.String(),
+				Address: addr5.String(),
 			},
 			expGroupPolicy: &group.GroupPolicyInfo{},
 			expErr:         true,
 		},
 		"correct data": {
 			req: &group.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata{
-				Admin:    admin.String(),
-				Address:  groupPolicyAddr,
-				Metadata: []byte("hello"),
+				Admin:   admin.String(),
+				Address: groupPolicyAddr,
 			},
 			expGroupPolicy: &group.GroupPolicyInfo{
 				Admin:          admin.String(),
 				Address:        groupPolicyAddr,
 				GroupId:        myGroupID,
-				Metadata:       []byte("hello"),
 				Version:        2,
 				DecisionPolicy: nil,
 				CreatedAt:      s.blockTime,
@@ -1274,7 +1199,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupPolicyDecisionPolicy() {
 				Admin:          admin.String(),
 				Address:        groupPolicyAddr,
 				GroupId:        myGroupID,
-				Metadata:       nil,
 				Version:        2,
 				DecisionPolicy: nil,
 				CreatedAt:      s.blockTime,
@@ -1295,7 +1219,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestUpdateGroupPolicyDecisionPolicy() {
 			),
 			expGroupPolicy: &group.GroupPolicyInfo{
 				Admin:          admin.String(),
-				Metadata:       nil,
 				DecisionPolicy: nil,
 				Version:        2,
 				CreatedAt:      s.blockTime,
@@ -1345,9 +1268,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestGroupPoliciesByAdminOrGroup() {
 
 	admin := addr2
 	groupRes, err := s.keeper.CreateGroup(s.ctx, &group.MsgCreateGroup{
-		Admin:    admin.String(),
-		Members:  nil,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   admin.String(),
+		Members: nil,
 	})
 	s.Require().NoError(err)
 	myGroupID := groupRes.GroupId
@@ -1371,9 +1293,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestGroupPoliciesByAdminOrGroup() {
 	expectAccs := make([]*group.GroupPolicyInfo, count)
 	for i := range expectAccs {
 		req := &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-			Admin:    admin.String(),
-			Metadata: nil,
-			GroupId:  myGroupID,
+			Admin:   admin.String(),
+			GroupId: myGroupID,
 		}
 		err := req.SetDecisionPolicy(policies[i])
 		s.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -1383,7 +1304,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestGroupPoliciesByAdminOrGroup() {
 		expectAcc := &group.GroupPolicyInfo{
 			Address:   res.Address,
 			Admin:     admin.String(),
-			Metadata:  nil,
 			GroupId:   myGroupID,
 			Version:   uint64(1),
 			CreatedAt: s.blockTime,
@@ -1450,9 +1370,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestSubmitProposal() {
 	}
 
 	policyReq := &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-		Admin:    addr1.String(),
-		GroupId:  myGroupID,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   addr1.String(),
+		GroupId: myGroupID,
 	}
 	policy := group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
 		"100",
@@ -1506,15 +1425,14 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestSubmitProposal() {
 		"metadata too long": {
 			req: &group.MsgSubmitProposal{
 				Address:   accountAddr.String(),
-				Metadata:  bytes.Repeat([]byte{1}, 256),
 				Proposers: []string{addr2.String()},
+				Metadata:  strings.Repeat("a", 256),
 			},
 			expErr:  true,
 			postRun: func(sdkCtx sdk.Context) {},
 		},
 		"group policy required": {
 			req: &group.MsgSubmitProposal{
-				Metadata:  nil,
 				Proposers: []string{addr2.String()},
 			},
 			expErr:  true,
@@ -1555,7 +1473,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestSubmitProposal() {
 		"admin that is not a group member can not create proposal": {
 			req: &group.MsgSubmitProposal{
 				Address:   accountAddr.String(),
-				Metadata:  nil,
 				Proposers: []string{addr1.String()},
 			},
 			expErr:  true,
@@ -1564,7 +1481,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestSubmitProposal() {
 		"reject msgs that are not authz by group policy": {
 			req: &group.MsgSubmitProposal{
 				Address:   accountAddr.String(),
-				Metadata:  nil,
 				Proposers: []string{addr2.String()},
 			},
 			msgs:    []sdk.Msg{&testdata.TestMsg{Signers: []string{addr1.String()}}},
@@ -1759,9 +1675,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestVote() {
 		{Address: addr3.String(), Weight: "2", AddedAt: s.blockTime},
 	}
 	groupRes, err := s.keeper.CreateGroup(s.ctx, &group.MsgCreateGroup{
-		Admin:    addr1.String(),
-		Members:  members,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   addr1.String(),
+		Members: members,
 	})
 	s.Require().NoError(err)
 	myGroupID := groupRes.GroupId
@@ -1771,9 +1686,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestVote() {
 		time.Duration(2),
 	)
 	policyReq := &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-		Admin:    addr1.String(),
-		GroupId:  myGroupID,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   addr1.String(),
+		GroupId: myGroupID,
 	}
 	err = policyReq.SetDecisionPolicy(policy)
 	s.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -1788,7 +1702,6 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestVote() {
 
 	req := &group.MsgSubmitProposal{
 		Address:   accountAddr,
-		Metadata:  nil,
 		Proposers: []string{addr4.String()},
 		Messages:  nil,
 	}
@@ -1984,8 +1897,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestVote() {
 			req: &group.MsgVote{
 				ProposalId: myProposalID,
 				Voter:      addr4.String(),
-				Metadata:   bytes.Repeat([]byte{1}, 256),
 				Option:     group.VOTE_OPTION_NO,
+				Metadata:   strings.Repeat("a", 256),
 			},
 			expErr:  true,
 			postRun: func(sdkCtx sdk.Context) {},
@@ -2086,9 +1999,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestVote() {
 			},
 			doBefore: func(ctx context.Context) {
 				_, err = s.keeper.UpdateGroupMetadata(ctx, &group.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata{
-					GroupId:  myGroupID,
-					Admin:    addr1.String(),
-					Metadata: []byte{1, 2, 3},
+					GroupId: myGroupID,
+					Admin:   addr1.String(),
 				})
 				s.Require().NoError(err)
 			},
@@ -2298,9 +2210,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestExecProposal() {
 
 				// then modify group
 				_, err := s.keeper.UpdateGroupMetadata(ctx, &group.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata{
-					Admin:    addr1.String(),
-					GroupId:  s.groupID,
-					Metadata: []byte{1, 2, 3},
+					Admin:   addr1.String(),
+					GroupId: s.groupID,
 				})
 				s.Require().NoError(err)
 				return myProposalID
@@ -2313,9 +2224,8 @@ func (s *TestSuite) TestExecProposal() {
 			setupProposal: func(ctx context.Context) uint64 {
 				myProposalID := submitProposal(ctx, s, []sdk.Msg{msgSend1}, proposers)
 				_, err := s.keeper.UpdateGroupPolicyMetadata(ctx, &group.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata{
-					Admin:    addr1.String(),
-					Address:  s.groupPolicyAddr.String(),
-					Metadata: []byte("group policy modified before tally"),
+					Admin:   addr1.String(),
+					Address: s.groupPolicyAddr.String(),
 				})
 				s.Require().NoError(err)
 				return myProposalID
@@ -2417,7 +2327,6 @@ func submitProposal(
 	proposalReq := &group.MsgSubmitProposal{
 		Address:   s.groupPolicyAddr.String(),
 		Proposers: proposers,
-		Metadata:  nil,
 	}
 	err := proposalReq.SetMsgs(msgs)
 	s.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -2447,17 +2356,15 @@ func createGroupAndGroupPolicy(
 	s *TestSuite,
 ) (string, uint64, group.DecisionPolicy) {
 	groupRes, err := s.keeper.CreateGroup(s.ctx, &group.MsgCreateGroup{
-		Admin:    admin.String(),
-		Members:  nil,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   admin.String(),
+		Members: nil,
 	})
 	s.Require().NoError(err)
 
 	myGroupID := groupRes.GroupId
 	groupPolicy := &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-		Admin:    admin.String(),
-		GroupId:  myGroupID,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   admin.String(),
+		GroupId: myGroupID,
 	}
 
 	policy := group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy(
diff --git a/x/group/keeper/msg_server.go b/x/group/keeper/msg_server.go
index 7d3b2172cf..b224026022 100644
--- a/x/group/keeper/msg_server.go
+++ b/x/group/keeper/msg_server.go
@@ -890,8 +890,8 @@ func (k Keeper) doAuthenticated(ctx sdk.Context, req authNGroupReq, action actio
 
 // assertMetadataLength returns an error if given metadata length
 // is greater than a pre-defined maxMetadataLen.
-func (k Keeper) assertMetadataLength(metadata []byte, description string) error {
-	if metadata != nil && uint64(len(metadata)) > k.config.MaxMetadataLen {
+func (k Keeper) assertMetadataLength(metadata string, description string) error {
+	if metadata != "" && uint64(len(metadata)) > k.config.MaxMetadataLen {
 		return sdkerrors.Wrapf(errors.ErrMaxLimit, description)
 	}
 	return nil
diff --git a/x/group/msgs.go b/x/group/msgs.go
index 38982d8472..24fa55b5bb 100644
--- a/x/group/msgs.go
+++ b/x/group/msgs.go
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ var _ sdk.Msg = &MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy{}
 var _ types.UnpackInterfacesMessage = MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy{}
 
 // NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy creates a new MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy.
-func NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin string, members []Member, group_metadata []byte, group_policy_metadata []byte, groupPolicyAsAdmin bool, decisionPolicy DecisionPolicy) (*MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy, error) {
+func NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin string, members []Member, group_metadata string, group_policy_metadata string, groupPolicyAsAdmin bool, decisionPolicy DecisionPolicy) (*MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy, error) {
 	m := &MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy{
 		Admin:               admin,
 		Members:             members,
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@ var _ sdk.Msg = &MsgCreateGroupPolicy{}
 var _ types.UnpackInterfacesMessage = MsgCreateGroupPolicy{}
 
 // NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy creates a new MsgCreateGroupPolicy.
-func NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin sdk.AccAddress, group uint64, metadata []byte, decisionPolicy DecisionPolicy) (*MsgCreateGroupPolicy, error) {
+func NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin sdk.AccAddress, group uint64, metadata string, decisionPolicy DecisionPolicy) (*MsgCreateGroupPolicy, error) {
 	m := &MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
 		Admin:    admin.String(),
 		GroupId:  group,
@@ -554,7 +554,7 @@ func (m *MsgCreateGroupPolicy) GetGroupID() uint64 {
 	return m.GroupId
 }
 
-func (m *MsgCreateGroupPolicy) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (m *MsgCreateGroupPolicy) GetMetadata() string {
 	return m.Metadata
 }
 
@@ -588,7 +588,7 @@ func (m MsgCreateGroupPolicy) UnpackInterfaces(unpacker types.AnyUnpacker) error
 var _ sdk.Msg = &MsgSubmitProposal{}
 
 // NewMsgSubmitProposalRequest creates a new MsgSubmitProposal.
-func NewMsgSubmitProposalRequest(address string, proposers []string, msgs []sdk.Msg, metadata []byte, exec Exec) (*MsgSubmitProposal, error) {
+func NewMsgSubmitProposalRequest(address string, proposers []string, msgs []sdk.Msg, metadata string, exec Exec) (*MsgSubmitProposal, error) {
 	m := &MsgSubmitProposal{
 		Address:   address,
 		Proposers: proposers,
diff --git a/x/group/msgs_test.go b/x/group/msgs_test.go
index db8583d941..c15b16011f 100644
--- a/x/group/msgs_test.go
+++ b/x/group/msgs_test.go
@@ -83,12 +83,12 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroup(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroup(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -127,12 +127,12 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroup(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 					{
 						Address:  member2.String(),
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ func TestMsgUpdateGroupMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 			&group.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata{
 				GroupId:  1,
 				Admin:    admin.String(),
-				Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+				Metadata: "metadata",
 			},
 			false,
 			"",
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ func TestMsgUpdateGroupMembers(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ func TestMsgUpdateGroupMembers(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "0",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -372,10 +372,10 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 				}
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin, members, []byte("group_metadata"), []byte("group_policy_metadata"), false, policy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin, members, "group_metadata", "group_policy_metadata", false, policy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -390,10 +390,10 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Address:  "invalid_address",
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 				}
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, []byte("group_metadata"), []byte("group_policy_metadata"), false, policy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, "group_metadata", "group_policy_metadata", false, policy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -408,10 +408,10 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "-1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 				}
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, []byte("group_metadata"), []byte("group_policy_metadata"), false, policy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, "group_metadata", "group_policy_metadata", false, policy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -426,10 +426,10 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "0",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 				}
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, []byte("group_metadata"), []byte("group_policy_metadata"), false, policy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, "group_metadata", "group_policy_metadata", false, policy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -444,15 +444,15 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 				}
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, []byte("group_metadata"), []byte("group_policy_metadata"), false, policy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, "group_metadata", "group_policy_metadata", false, policy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -467,10 +467,10 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 				}
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, []byte("group_metadata"), []byte("group_policy_metadata"), false, policy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, "group_metadata", "group_policy_metadata", false, policy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -485,10 +485,10 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 				}
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, []byte("group_metadata"), []byte("group_policy_metadata"), false, policy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, "group_metadata", "group_policy_metadata", false, policy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -503,15 +503,15 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 					{
 						Address:  member1.String(),
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 					{
 						Address:  member2.String(),
 						Weight:   "1",
-						Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+						Metadata: "metadata",
 					},
 				}
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, []byte("group_metadata"), []byte("group_policy_metadata"), false, policy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(admin.String(), members, "group_metadata", "group_policy_metadata", false, policy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 			"invalid threshold policy",
 			func() *group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy {
 				policy := group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy("-1", time.Second)
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin, 1, []byte("metadata"), policy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin, 1, "metadata", policy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -578,7 +578,7 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 			"valid test case",
 			func() *group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy {
 				policy := group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy("1", time.Second)
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin, 1, []byte("metadata"), policy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin, 1, "metadata", policy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 			"invalid percentage decision policy with zero value",
 			func() *group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy {
 				percentagePolicy := group.NewPercentageDecisionPolicy("0", time.Second)
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin, 1, []byte("metadata"), percentagePolicy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin, 1, "metadata", percentagePolicy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -600,7 +600,7 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 			"invalid percentage decision policy with negative value",
 			func() *group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy {
 				percentagePolicy := group.NewPercentageDecisionPolicy("-0.2", time.Second)
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin, 1, []byte("metadata"), percentagePolicy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin, 1, "metadata", percentagePolicy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 			"invalid percentage decision policy with value greater than 1",
 			func() *group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy {
 				percentagePolicy := group.NewPercentageDecisionPolicy("2", time.Second)
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin, 1, []byte("metadata"), percentagePolicy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin, 1, "metadata", percentagePolicy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -622,7 +622,7 @@ func TestMsgCreateGroupPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 			"valid test case with percentage decision policy",
 			func() *group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy {
 				percentagePolicy := group.NewPercentageDecisionPolicy("0.5", time.Second)
-				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin, 1, []byte("metadata"), percentagePolicy)
+				req, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(admin, 1, "metadata", percentagePolicy)
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				return req
 			},
@@ -847,7 +847,7 @@ func TestMsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 			&group.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata{
 				Admin:    admin.String(),
 				Address:  member1.String(),
-				Metadata: []byte("metadata"),
+				Metadata: "metadata",
 			},
 			false,
 			"",
diff --git a/x/group/simulation/genesis.go b/x/group/simulation/genesis.go
index 3ee2cf578d..d3958bfe7d 100644
--- a/x/group/simulation/genesis.go
+++ b/x/group/simulation/genesis.go
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func getGroups(r *rand.Rand, accounts []simtypes.Account) []*group.GroupInfo {
 		groups[i] = &group.GroupInfo{
 			Id:          uint64(i + 1),
 			Admin:       acc.Address.String(),
-			Metadata:    []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10)),
+			Metadata:    simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10),
 			Version:     1,
 			TotalWeight: "10",
 		}
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func getGroupMembers(r *rand.Rand, accounts []simtypes.Account) []*group.GroupMe
 			Member: &group.Member{
 				Address:  acc.Address.String(),
 				Weight:   "10",
-				Metadata: []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10)),
+				Metadata: simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10),
 			},
 		}
 	}
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ func getGroupPolicies(r *rand.Rand, simState *module.SimulationState) []*group.G
 			Address:        acc.Address.String(),
 			Version:        1,
 			DecisionPolicy: any,
-			Metadata:       []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10)),
+			Metadata:       simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10),
 		}
 	}
 	return groupPolicies
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ func getProposals(r *rand.Rand, simState *module.SimulationState) []*group.Propo
 				NoWithVetoCount: "0",
 			},
 			ExecutorResult: group.PROPOSAL_EXECUTOR_RESULT_NOT_RUN,
-			Metadata:       []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 50)),
+			Metadata:       simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 50),
 			SubmitTime:     submittedAt,
 			Timeout:        timeout,
 		}
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ func getVotes(r *rand.Rand, simState *module.SimulationState) []*group.Vote {
 			ProposalId: uint64(i + 1),
 			Voter:      simState.Accounts[i].Address.String(),
 			Option:     getVoteOption(i),
-			Metadata:   []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 50)),
+			Metadata:   simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 50),
 			SubmitTime: time.Unix(0, 0),
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/x/group/simulation/operations.go b/x/group/simulation/operations.go
index b57eca40f6..58ffed18c8 100644
--- a/x/group/simulation/operations.go
+++ b/x/group/simulation/operations.go
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ func SimulateMsgCreateGroup(ak group.AccountKeeper, bk group.BankKeeper) simtype
 		}
 
 		members := genGroupMembers(r, accounts)
-		msg := &group.MsgCreateGroup{Admin: accAddr, Members: members, Metadata: []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10))}
+		msg := &group.MsgCreateGroup{Admin: accAddr, Members: members, Metadata: simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10)}
 
 		txGen := simappparams.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig
 		tx, err := helpers.GenTx(
@@ -291,8 +291,8 @@ func SimulateMsgCreateGroupWithPolicy(ak group.AccountKeeper, bk group.BankKeepe
 		msg := &group.MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy{
 			Admin:               accAddr,
 			Members:             members,
-			GroupMetadata:       []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10)),
-			GroupPolicyMetadata: []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10)),
+			GroupMetadata:       simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10),
+			GroupPolicyMetadata: simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10),
 			GroupPolicyAsAdmin:  r.Float32() < 0.5,
 		}
 		msg.SetDecisionPolicy(decisionPolicy)
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ func SimulateMsgCreateGroupPolicy(ak group.AccountKeeper, bk group.BankKeeper, k
 		msg, err := group.NewMsgCreateGroupPolicy(
 			acc.Address,
 			groupID,
-			[]byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10)),
+			simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10),
 			&group.ThresholdDecisionPolicy{
 				Threshold: fmt.Sprintf("%d", simtypes.RandIntBetween(r, 1, 10)),
 				Timeout:   time.Second * time.Duration(30*24*60*60),
@@ -424,7 +424,7 @@ func SimulateMsgSubmitProposal(ak group.AccountKeeper, bk group.BankKeeper, k ke
 		msg := group.MsgSubmitProposal{
 			Address:   groupPolicyAddr,
 			Proposers: []string{acc.Address.String()},
-			Metadata:  []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10)),
+			Metadata:  simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10),
 		}
 
 		txGen := simappparams.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ func SimulateMsgUpdateGroupMetadata(ak group.AccountKeeper, bk group.BankKeeper,
 		msg := group.MsgUpdateGroupMetadata{
 			GroupId:  groupID,
 			Admin:    account.GetAddress().String(),
-			Metadata: []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10)),
+			Metadata: simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10),
 		}
 
 		txGen := simappparams.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig
@@ -773,7 +773,7 @@ func SimulateMsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata(ak group.AccountKeeper,
 		msg := group.MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata{
 			Admin:    acc.Address.String(),
 			Address:  groupPolicyAddr,
-			Metadata: []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10)),
+			Metadata: simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10),
 		}
 
 		txGen := simappparams.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig
@@ -995,7 +995,7 @@ func SimulateMsgVote(ak group.AccountKeeper,
 			ProposalId: uint64(proposalID),
 			Voter:      acc.Address.String(),
 			Option:     group.VOTE_OPTION_YES,
-			Metadata:   []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10)),
+			Metadata:   simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10),
 		}
 		txGen := simappparams.MakeTestEncodingConfig().TxConfig
 		tx, err := helpers.GenTx(
@@ -1217,7 +1217,7 @@ func genGroupMembers(r *rand.Rand, accounts []simtypes.Account) []group.Member {
 			{
 				Address:  accounts[0].Address.String(),
 				Weight:   fmt.Sprintf("%d", simtypes.RandIntBetween(r, 1, 5)),
-				Metadata: []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10)),
+				Metadata: simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10),
 			},
 		}
 	}
@@ -1234,7 +1234,7 @@ func genGroupMembers(r *rand.Rand, accounts []simtypes.Account) []group.Member {
 		members[i] = group.Member{
 			Address:  accounts[i].Address.String(),
 			Weight:   fmt.Sprintf("%d", simtypes.RandIntBetween(r, 1, 5)),
-			Metadata: []byte(simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10)),
+			Metadata: simtypes.RandStringOfLength(r, 10),
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/x/group/simulation/operations_test.go b/x/group/simulation/operations_test.go
index b84fff5337..2dcd6e8ae4 100644
--- a/x/group/simulation/operations_test.go
+++ b/x/group/simulation/operations_test.go
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 package simulation_test
 
 import (
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec/legacy"
 	"math/rand"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec/legacy"
+
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/suite"
 	abci "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
 	tmproto "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/proto/tendermint/types"
@@ -217,9 +218,8 @@ func (suite *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateSubmitProposal() {
 
 	// setup a group account
 	accountReq := &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-		Admin:    acc.Address.String(),
-		GroupId:  groupRes.GroupId,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   acc.Address.String(),
+		GroupId: groupRes.GroupId,
 	}
 	err = accountReq.SetDecisionPolicy(group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy("1", time.Hour))
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -272,9 +272,8 @@ func (suite *SimTestSuite) TestWithdrawProposal() {
 
 	// setup a group account
 	accountReq := &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-		Admin:    addr,
-		GroupId:  groupRes.GroupId,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   addr,
+		GroupId: groupRes.GroupId,
 	}
 	err = accountReq.SetDecisionPolicy(group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy("1", time.Hour))
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -288,7 +287,7 @@ func (suite *SimTestSuite) TestWithdrawProposal() {
 			ToAddress:   addr,
 			Amount:      sdk.Coins{sdk.NewInt64Coin("token", 100)},
 		},
-	}, []byte{}, 0)
+	}, "", 0)
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
 	_, err = suite.app.GroupKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, proposalReq)
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -341,7 +340,7 @@ func (suite *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateVote() {
 	accountReq := &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
 		Admin:    addr,
 		GroupId:  groupRes.GroupId,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Metadata: "",
 	}
 	err = accountReq.SetDecisionPolicy(group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy("1", time.Hour))
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -355,7 +354,7 @@ func (suite *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateVote() {
 			ToAddress:   addr,
 			Amount:      sdk.Coins{sdk.NewInt64Coin("token", 100)},
 		},
-	}, []byte{}, 0)
+	}, "", 0)
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
 	_, err = suite.app.GroupKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, proposalReq)
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -406,9 +405,8 @@ func (suite *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateExec() {
 
 	// setup a group account
 	accountReq := &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-		Admin:    addr,
-		GroupId:  groupRes.GroupId,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   addr,
+		GroupId: groupRes.GroupId,
 	}
 	err = accountReq.SetDecisionPolicy(group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy("1", time.Hour))
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -422,7 +420,7 @@ func (suite *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateExec() {
 			ToAddress:   addr,
 			Amount:      sdk.Coins{sdk.NewInt64Coin("token", 100)},
 		},
-	}, []byte{}, 0)
+	}, "", 0)
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
 	proposalRes, err := suite.app.GroupKeeper.SubmitProposal(ctx, proposalReq)
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -606,9 +604,8 @@ func (suite *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateUpdateGroupPolicyAdmin() {
 
 	// setup a group account
 	accountReq := &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-		Admin:    acc.Address.String(),
-		GroupId:  groupRes.GroupId,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   acc.Address.String(),
+		GroupId: groupRes.GroupId,
 	}
 	err = accountReq.SetDecisionPolicy(group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy("1", time.Hour))
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -660,9 +657,8 @@ func (suite *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateUpdateGroupPolicyDecisionPolicy() {
 
 	// setup a group account
 	accountReq := &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-		Admin:    acc.Address.String(),
-		GroupId:  groupRes.GroupId,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   acc.Address.String(),
+		GroupId: groupRes.GroupId,
 	}
 	err = accountReq.SetDecisionPolicy(group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy("1", time.Hour))
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
@@ -714,9 +710,8 @@ func (suite *SimTestSuite) TestSimulateUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata() {
 
 	// setup a group account
 	accountReq := &group.MsgCreateGroupPolicy{
-		Admin:    acc.Address.String(),
-		GroupId:  groupRes.GroupId,
-		Metadata: nil,
+		Admin:   acc.Address.String(),
+		GroupId: groupRes.GroupId,
 	}
 	err = accountReq.SetDecisionPolicy(group.NewThresholdDecisionPolicy("1", time.Hour))
 	suite.Require().NoError(err)
diff --git a/x/group/tx.pb.go b/x/group/tx.pb.go
index 377615274d..17ad30b00b 100644
--- a/x/group/tx.pb.go
+++ b/x/group/tx.pb.go
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ type MsgCreateGroup struct {
 	// members defines the group members.
 	Members []Member `protobuf:"bytes,2,rep,name=members,proto3" json:"members"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the group.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (m *MsgCreateGroup) Reset()         { *m = MsgCreateGroup{} }
@@ -120,11 +120,11 @@ func (m *MsgCreateGroup) GetMembers() []Member {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (m *MsgCreateGroup) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (m *MsgCreateGroup) GetMetadata() string {
 	if m != nil {
 		return m.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 // MsgCreateGroupResponse is the Msg/CreateGroup response type.
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ type MsgUpdateGroupMetadata struct {
 	// group_id is the unique ID of the group.
 	GroupId uint64 `protobuf:"varint,2,opt,name=group_id,json=groupId,proto3" json:"group_id,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is the updated group's metadata.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (m *MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) Reset()         { *m = MsgUpdateGroupMetadata{} }
@@ -433,11 +433,11 @@ func (m *MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) GetGroupId() uint64 {
 	return 0
 }
 
-func (m *MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (m *MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) GetMetadata() string {
 	if m != nil {
 		return m.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 // MsgUpdateGroupMetadataResponse is the Msg/UpdateGroupMetadata response type.
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ type MsgCreateGroupPolicy struct {
 	// group_id is the unique ID of the group.
 	GroupId uint64 `protobuf:"varint,2,opt,name=group_id,json=groupId,proto3" json:"group_id,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the group policy.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// decision_policy specifies the group policy's decision policy.
 	DecisionPolicy *types.Any `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=decision_policy,json=decisionPolicy,proto3" json:"decision_policy,omitempty"`
 }
@@ -639,9 +639,9 @@ type MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy struct {
 	// members defines the group members.
 	Members []Member `protobuf:"bytes,2,rep,name=members,proto3" json:"members"`
 	// group_metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the group.
-	GroupMetadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=group_metadata,json=groupMetadata,proto3" json:"group_metadata,omitempty"`
+	GroupMetadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=group_metadata,json=groupMetadata,proto3" json:"group_metadata,omitempty"`
 	// group_policy_metadata is any arbitrary metadata attached to the group policy.
-	GroupPolicyMetadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=group_policy_metadata,json=groupPolicyMetadata,proto3" json:"group_policy_metadata,omitempty"`
+	GroupPolicyMetadata string `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=group_policy_metadata,json=groupPolicyMetadata,proto3" json:"group_policy_metadata,omitempty"`
 	// group_policy_as_admin is a boolean field, if set to true, the group policy account address will be used as group and group policy admin.
 	GroupPolicyAsAdmin bool `protobuf:"varint,5,opt,name=group_policy_as_admin,json=groupPolicyAsAdmin,proto3" json:"group_policy_as_admin,omitempty"`
 	// decision_policy specifies the group policy's decision policy.
@@ -864,7 +864,7 @@ type MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata struct {
 	// address is the account address of group policy.
 	Address string `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=address,proto3" json:"address,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is the updated group policy metadata.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func (m *MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) Reset()         { *m = MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata{} }
@@ -914,11 +914,11 @@ func (m *MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) GetAddress() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-func (m *MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (m *MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) GetMetadata() string {
 	if m != nil {
 		return m.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 // MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadataResponse is the Msg/UpdateGroupPolicyMetadata response type.
@@ -966,7 +966,7 @@ type MsgSubmitProposal struct {
 	// Proposers signatures will be counted as yes votes.
 	Proposers []string `protobuf:"bytes,2,rep,name=proposers,proto3" json:"proposers,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the proposal.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// messages is a list of `sdk.Msg`s that will be executed if the proposal passes.
 	Messages []*types.Any `protobuf:"bytes,4,rep,name=messages,proto3" json:"messages,omitempty"`
 	// exec defines the mode of execution of the proposal,
@@ -1155,7 +1155,7 @@ type MsgVote struct {
 	// option is the voter's choice on the proposal.
 	Option VoteOption `protobuf:"varint,3,opt,name=option,proto3,enum=cosmos.group.v1beta1.VoteOption" json:"option,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the vote.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// exec defines whether the proposal should be executed
 	// immediately after voting or not.
 	Exec Exec `protobuf:"varint,5,opt,name=exec,proto3,enum=cosmos.group.v1beta1.Exec" json:"exec,omitempty"`
@@ -1215,11 +1215,11 @@ func (m *MsgVote) GetOption() VoteOption {
 	return VOTE_OPTION_UNSPECIFIED
 }
 
-func (m *MsgVote) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (m *MsgVote) GetMetadata() string {
 	if m != nil {
 		return m.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 func (m *MsgVote) GetExec() Exec {
@@ -1391,82 +1391,82 @@ func init() {
 func init() { proto.RegisterFile("cosmos/group/v1beta1/tx.proto", fileDescriptor_da0de9d603d844fb) }
 
 var fileDescriptor_da0de9d603d844fb = []byte{
-	// 1199 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
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 }
 
 // Reference imports to suppress errors if they are not otherwise used.
@@ -3523,7 +3523,7 @@ func (m *MsgCreateGroup) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTx
@@ -3533,25 +3533,23 @@ func (m *MsgCreateGroup) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.Metadata = append(m.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.Metadata == nil {
-				m.Metadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		default:
 			iNdEx = preIndex
@@ -4095,7 +4093,7 @@ func (m *MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTx
@@ -4105,25 +4103,23 @@ func (m *MsgUpdateGroupMetadata) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.Metadata = append(m.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.Metadata == nil {
-				m.Metadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		default:
 			iNdEx = preIndex
@@ -4280,7 +4276,7 @@ func (m *MsgCreateGroupPolicy) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTx
@@ -4290,25 +4286,23 @@ func (m *MsgCreateGroupPolicy) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.Metadata = append(m.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.Metadata == nil {
-				m.Metadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		case 4:
 			if wireType != 2 {
@@ -4694,7 +4688,7 @@ func (m *MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field GroupMetadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTx
@@ -4704,31 +4698,29 @@ func (m *MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.GroupMetadata = append(m.GroupMetadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.GroupMetadata == nil {
-				m.GroupMetadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.GroupMetadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		case 4:
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field GroupPolicyMetadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTx
@@ -4738,25 +4730,23 @@ func (m *MsgCreateGroupWithPolicy) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.GroupPolicyMetadata = append(m.GroupPolicyMetadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.GroupPolicyMetadata == nil {
-				m.GroupPolicyMetadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.GroupPolicyMetadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		case 5:
 			if wireType != 0 {
@@ -5283,7 +5273,7 @@ func (m *MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTx
@@ -5293,25 +5283,23 @@ func (m *MsgUpdateGroupPolicyMetadata) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.Metadata = append(m.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.Metadata == nil {
-				m.Metadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		default:
 			iNdEx = preIndex
@@ -5481,7 +5469,7 @@ func (m *MsgSubmitProposal) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTx
@@ -5491,25 +5479,23 @@ func (m *MsgSubmitProposal) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.Metadata = append(m.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.Metadata == nil {
-				m.Metadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		case 4:
 			if wireType != 2 {
@@ -5908,7 +5894,7 @@ func (m *MsgVote) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTx
@@ -5918,25 +5904,23 @@ func (m *MsgVote) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTx
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.Metadata = append(m.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.Metadata == nil {
-				m.Metadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		case 5:
 			if wireType != 0 {
diff --git a/x/group/types.go b/x/group/types.go
index 92800652f7..5f8b160047 100644
--- a/x/group/types.go
+++ b/x/group/types.go
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ func (p PercentageDecisionPolicy) Allow(tally TallyResult, totalPower string, vo
 var _ orm.Validateable = GroupPolicyInfo{}
 
 // NewGroupPolicyInfo creates a new GroupPolicyInfo instance
-func NewGroupPolicyInfo(address sdk.AccAddress, group uint64, admin sdk.AccAddress, metadata []byte,
+func NewGroupPolicyInfo(address sdk.AccAddress, group uint64, admin sdk.AccAddress, metadata string,
 	version uint64, decisionPolicy DecisionPolicy, createdAt time.Time) (GroupPolicyInfo, error) {
 	p := GroupPolicyInfo{
 		Address:   address.String(),
diff --git a/x/group/types.pb.go b/x/group/types.pb.go
index c7c2780863..3f2aff68c9 100644
--- a/x/group/types.pb.go
+++ b/x/group/types.pb.go
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 package group
 
 import (
-	bytes "bytes"
 	fmt "fmt"
 	_ "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-proto"
 	types "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec/types"
@@ -192,7 +191,7 @@ type Member struct {
 	// weight is the member's voting weight that should be greater than 0.
 	Weight string `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=weight,proto3" json:"weight,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the member.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// added_at is a timestamp specifying when a member was added.
 	AddedAt time.Time `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=added_at,json=addedAt,proto3,stdtime" json:"added_at"`
 }
@@ -244,11 +243,11 @@ func (m *Member) GetWeight() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-func (m *Member) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (m *Member) GetMetadata() string {
 	if m != nil {
 		return m.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 func (m *Member) GetAddedAt() time.Time {
@@ -423,7 +422,7 @@ type GroupInfo struct {
 	// admin is the account address of the group's admin.
 	Admin string `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=admin,proto3" json:"admin,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the group.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// version is used to track changes to a group's membership structure that
 	// would break existing proposals. Whenever any members weight is changed,
 	// or any member is added or removed this version is incremented and will
@@ -482,11 +481,11 @@ func (m *GroupInfo) GetAdmin() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
-func (m *GroupInfo) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (m *GroupInfo) GetMetadata() string {
 	if m != nil {
 		return m.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 func (m *GroupInfo) GetVersion() uint64 {
@@ -574,7 +573,7 @@ type GroupPolicyInfo struct {
 	// admin is the account address of the group admin.
 	Admin string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=admin,proto3" json:"admin,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the group policy.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// version is used to track changes to a group's GroupPolicyInfo structure that
 	// would create a different result on a running proposal.
 	Version uint64 `protobuf:"varint,5,opt,name=version,proto3" json:"version,omitempty"`
@@ -627,7 +626,7 @@ type Proposal struct {
 	// address is the account address of group policy.
 	Address string `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=address,proto3" json:"address,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the proposal.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// proposers are the account addresses of the proposers.
 	Proposers []string `protobuf:"bytes,4,rep,name=proposers,proto3" json:"proposers,omitempty"`
 	// submit_time is a timestamp specifying when a proposal was submitted.
@@ -746,7 +745,7 @@ type Vote struct {
 	// option is the voter's choice on the proposal.
 	Option VoteOption `protobuf:"varint,3,opt,name=option,proto3,enum=cosmos.group.v1beta1.VoteOption" json:"option,omitempty"`
 	// metadata is any arbitrary metadata to attached to the vote.
-	Metadata []byte `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
+	Metadata string `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=metadata,proto3" json:"metadata,omitempty"`
 	// submit_time is the timestamp when the vote was submitted.
 	SubmitTime time.Time `protobuf:"bytes,5,opt,name=submit_time,json=submitTime,proto3,stdtime" json:"submit_time"`
 }
@@ -805,11 +804,11 @@ func (m *Vote) GetOption() VoteOption {
 	return VOTE_OPTION_UNSPECIFIED
 }
 
-func (m *Vote) GetMetadata() []byte {
+func (m *Vote) GetMetadata() string {
 	if m != nil {
 		return m.Metadata
 	}
-	return nil
+	return ""
 }
 
 func (m *Vote) GetSubmitTime() time.Time {
@@ -839,7 +838,7 @@ func init() {
 func init() { proto.RegisterFile("cosmos/group/v1beta1/types.proto", fileDescriptor_e091dfce5c49c8b6) }
 
 var fileDescriptor_e091dfce5c49c8b6 = []byte{
-	// 1278 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
+	// 1274 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
 	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0xb4, 0x57, 0x4f, 0x6f, 0x1b, 0x45,
 	0x14, 0xf7, 0x3a, 0x8e, 0xff, 0x3c, 0xa7, 0x8e, 0x35, 0x8d, 0xda, 0x4d, 0x1a, 0x6c, 0xd7, 0xe4,
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@@ -856,70 +855,70 @@ var fileDescriptor_e091dfce5c49c8b6 = []byte{
 	0xb7, 0xb1, 0x87, 0xf6, 0x20, 0x61, 0xd9, 0xb6, 0x87, 0x7d, 0x5f, 0x96, 0x0a, 0xd2, 0x6e, 0xaa,
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-	0x0d, 0x08, 0xef, 0x6b, 0xca, 0x51, 0x7d, 0x4c, 0xf8, 0xbb, 0x29, 0xc2, 0x42, 0xdc, 0xd3, 0x84,
-	0x35, 0x55, 0x6f, 0x1d, 0x18, 0x73, 0x84, 0x17, 0x02, 0x6e, 0xd6, 0xea, 0xca, 0x41, 0xed, 0x0e,
-	0xa3, 0xbc, 0x0d, 0xf2, 0x3c, 0x40, 0xa9, 0x56, 0xd5, 0xa6, 0xc1, 0x48, 0x2f, 0xb0, 0x6a, 0xea,
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-	0xd3, 0xd3, 0x9c, 0xf4, 0xd7, 0x69, 0x4e, 0x7a, 0xf8, 0x2c, 0x17, 0x79, 0xfa, 0x2c, 0x17, 0xf9,
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-	0x7f, 0x03, 0x00, 0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x8f, 0x8f, 0xd5, 0xa9, 0xf1, 0x0c, 0x00, 0x00,
+	0xb2, 0x8f, 0xa9, 0x65, 0x5b, 0xd4, 0x92, 0x57, 0x98, 0x65, 0xbc, 0x46, 0x1f, 0x43, 0xd2, 0xb2,
+	0x6d, 0x6c, 0x9b, 0x16, 0x95, 0x63, 0x05, 0x69, 0x37, 0xbd, 0xb7, 0x55, 0xe2, 0x04, 0x4b, 0x21,
+	0xc1, 0x92, 0x11, 0x26, 0x57, 0x49, 0x3e, 0xf9, 0x23, 0x1f, 0x79, 0xf8, 0x67, 0x5e, 0x62, 0x41,
+	0xb1, 0xad, 0xd0, 0xe2, 0x2d, 0x48, 0x70, 0xca, 0x3e, 0xba, 0x0e, 0x89, 0x3e, 0xff, 0x2b, 0x4b,
+	0x85, 0x95, 0xdd, 0xf4, 0xde, 0x76, 0x69, 0x51, 0xcd, 0x4b, 0x1c, 0x5f, 0x89, 0x05, 0x87, 0x69,
+	0xa1, 0x4b, 0xf1, 0x6b, 0x09, 0xce, 0x1b, 0xc7, 0x1e, 0xf6, 0x8f, 0x49, 0xcf, 0xde, 0xc7, 0x1d,
+	0xc7, 0x77, 0x88, 0xdb, 0x24, 0x3d, 0xa7, 0x33, 0x42, 0xdb, 0x90, 0xa2, 0xa1, 0x89, 0xd7, 0x43,
+	0x9b, 0x6c, 0xa0, 0x8f, 0x20, 0x11, 0xd4, 0x9f, 0x0c, 0x79, 0xe2, 0xe9, 0xbd, 0xcd, 0x17, 0x52,
+	0xd8, 0x17, 0xfd, 0xe3, 0x19, 0x7c, 0xcf, 0x32, 0x10, 0x3e, 0xd7, 0xd0, 0xaf, 0x8f, 0x2f, 0x67,
+	0x66, 0x03, 0x16, 0xbf, 0x91, 0x40, 0x6e, 0x62, 0xaf, 0x83, 0x5d, 0x6a, 0x75, 0xf1, 0x1c, 0x9b,
+	0x1c, 0xc0, 0x60, 0x6c, 0x13, 0x74, 0xa6, 0x76, 0xfe, 0x0f, 0x3e, 0x7f, 0x4b, 0x90, 0xba, 0x15,
+	0x14, 0xb1, 0xe6, 0xde, 0x25, 0x28, 0x03, 0x51, 0x87, 0xd7, 0x21, 0xa6, 0x45, 0x1d, 0x1b, 0x95,
+	0x60, 0xd5, 0xb2, 0xfb, 0x8e, 0xcb, 0xfb, 0xbe, 0x44, 0x2a, 0x1c, 0xb6, 0x54, 0x10, 0x32, 0x24,
+	0x4e, 0xb0, 0x17, 0x84, 0x66, 0x7a, 0x88, 0x69, 0xe1, 0x12, 0x5d, 0x84, 0x35, 0x4a, 0xa8, 0xd5,
+	0x33, 0x85, 0xc8, 0x56, 0x99, 0x67, 0x9a, 0xed, 0x1d, 0x71, 0xa5, 0x55, 0x01, 0x3a, 0x1e, 0xb6,
+	0x28, 0xd7, 0x53, 0xfc, 0x35, 0xf4, 0x94, 0x12, 0x7e, 0x0a, 0x2d, 0x7e, 0x09, 0x69, 0x96, 0xaa,
+	0xb8, 0x09, 0x9b, 0x90, 0x64, 0xf2, 0x31, 0xc7, 0x29, 0x27, 0xd8, 0xba, 0x66, 0xa3, 0xf7, 0x21,
+	0xce, 0xd5, 0x23, 0xea, 0xbc, 0x54, 0x6f, 0x9a, 0xc0, 0x16, 0x9f, 0x47, 0x61, 0x9d, 0x05, 0xe0,
+	0xb5, 0x65, 0x15, 0x7d, 0x93, 0xeb, 0x36, 0x4d, 0x2c, 0x3a, 0x4b, 0x6c, 0xdc, 0x90, 0x95, 0xd7,
+	0x6f, 0x48, 0xec, 0xe5, 0x0d, 0x59, 0x9d, 0x6d, 0xc8, 0x67, 0xb0, 0x6e, 0x0b, 0x99, 0x98, 0x03,
+	0x96, 0x8b, 0x28, 0xf9, 0xc6, 0x0b, 0x25, 0x57, 0xdc, 0x51, 0x65, 0x81, 0xae, 0xb4, 0x8c, 0x3d,
+	0x2b, 0xed, 0xd9, 0x06, 0x26, 0xde, 0xa8, 0x81, 0xd7, 0x92, 0x0f, 0x1e, 0xe5, 0x23, 0xcf, 0x1f,
+	0xe5, 0xa5, 0xe2, 0xe9, 0x2a, 0x24, 0x9b, 0x1e, 0x19, 0x10, 0xdf, 0xea, 0xbd, 0xa0, 0xda, 0xa9,
+	0x9a, 0x47, 0x5f, 0xb5, 0xe6, 0xcb, 0x94, 0xfb, 0x01, 0xa4, 0x06, 0x2c, 0x56, 0x30, 0x80, 0x62,
+	0x85, 0x95, 0xa5, 0x27, 0x4e, 0xa0, 0x48, 0x85, 0xb4, 0x3f, 0x6c, 0xf7, 0x1d, 0x6a, 0x06, 0x37,
+	0x90, 0x15, 0xf9, 0x55, 0x93, 0x06, 0xee, 0x18, 0x98, 0xd0, 0xdb, 0x70, 0x86, 0xcb, 0x21, 0xec,
+	0x56, 0x9c, 0x65, 0xba, 0xc6, 0x36, 0x0f, 0x45, 0xcb, 0xae, 0xc0, 0x06, 0x07, 0xf1, 0x7e, 0x8d,
+	0xb1, 0x09, 0x86, 0x45, 0xdd, 0x89, 0x2c, 0x43, 0x8f, 0xeb, 0x10, 0xf7, 0xa9, 0x45, 0x87, 0xbe,
+	0x9c, 0x2c, 0x48, 0xbb, 0x99, 0xbd, 0x9d, 0xc5, 0x1a, 0x0f, 0xab, 0xac, 0x33, 0xac, 0x26, 0x7c,
+	0x02, 0x6f, 0x0f, 0xfb, 0xc3, 0x1e, 0x95, 0x53, 0xaf, 0xe2, 0xad, 0x31, 0xac, 0x26, 0x7c, 0x50,
+	0x0b, 0xd0, 0x5d, 0xc7, 0xb5, 0x7a, 0x26, 0xb5, 0x7a, 0xbd, 0x91, 0x29, 0x4e, 0x02, 0x56, 0xa0,
+	0x8b, 0x8b, 0x4f, 0x32, 0x02, 0x24, 0x3f, 0x46, 0x0c, 0xf8, 0x2c, 0x3b, 0x62, 0x6a, 0x1f, 0xdd,
+	0x98, 0xcc, 0xc7, 0xf4, 0xeb, 0x3c, 0x39, 0xc2, 0x09, 0xb5, 0x60, 0x1d, 0xdf, 0xc7, 0x9d, 0x21,
+	0x25, 0x5e, 0xc8, 0x69, 0x8d, 0x65, 0xf7, 0xee, 0xf2, 0xec, 0x54, 0xe1, 0x24, 0xb2, 0xcc, 0xe0,
+	0x99, 0x35, 0xba, 0x12, 0x68, 0xcb, 0xf7, 0xad, 0x2e, 0xf6, 0xe5, 0x33, 0xec, 0xfd, 0x5a, 0x78,
+	0x8f, 0xb4, 0x31, 0xea, 0x5a, 0x2c, 0x10, 0x7a, 0xf1, 0x07, 0x09, 0xd2, 0xd3, 0xe9, 0x5d, 0x80,
+	0xd4, 0x08, 0xfb, 0x66, 0x87, 0x0c, 0x5d, 0x2a, 0x5e, 0x87, 0xe4, 0x08, 0xfb, 0xd5, 0x60, 0x1d,
+	0xa8, 0xc4, 0x6a, 0xfb, 0xd4, 0x72, 0x5c, 0x01, 0xe0, 0x4f, 0xf5, 0x9a, 0xd8, 0xe4, 0xa0, 0x4d,
+	0x48, 0xba, 0x44, 0xd8, 0xb9, 0xca, 0x13, 0x2e, 0xe1, 0xa6, 0x77, 0x00, 0xb9, 0xc4, 0xbc, 0xe7,
+	0xd0, 0x63, 0xf3, 0x04, 0xd3, 0x10, 0xc4, 0x67, 0xc6, 0xba, 0x4b, 0x8e, 0x1c, 0x7a, 0x7c, 0x88,
+	0x29, 0x07, 0x0b, 0x7e, 0xff, 0x48, 0x10, 0x3b, 0x24, 0x14, 0xa3, 0x3c, 0xa4, 0x07, 0xa2, 0x14,
+	0x93, 0x61, 0x0a, 0xe1, 0x16, 0x1f, 0x5b, 0x27, 0x84, 0x8a, 0x71, 0xba, 0x74, 0x6c, 0x31, 0x18,
+	0xfa, 0x10, 0xe2, 0x64, 0x10, 0x3c, 0x63, 0x8c, 0x65, 0x66, 0xaf, 0xb0, 0xb8, 0xfe, 0x41, 0xf0,
+	0x06, 0xc3, 0x69, 0x02, 0xbf, 0x74, 0xe0, 0xfd, 0x37, 0xf7, 0xf1, 0xd2, 0xb7, 0x12, 0xc0, 0x24,
+	0x32, 0xba, 0x00, 0xe7, 0x0f, 0x1b, 0x86, 0x6a, 0x36, 0x9a, 0x46, 0xad, 0x51, 0x37, 0x5b, 0x75,
+	0xbd, 0xa9, 0x56, 0x6b, 0x37, 0x6b, 0xea, 0x7e, 0x36, 0x82, 0xce, 0xc2, 0xfa, 0xb4, 0xf1, 0x0b,
+	0x55, 0xcf, 0x4a, 0xe8, 0x3c, 0x9c, 0x9d, 0xde, 0x54, 0x2a, 0xba, 0xa1, 0xd4, 0xea, 0xd9, 0x28,
+	0x42, 0x90, 0x99, 0x36, 0xd4, 0x1b, 0xd9, 0x15, 0xb4, 0x0d, 0xf2, 0xec, 0x9e, 0x79, 0x54, 0x33,
+	0x3e, 0x31, 0x0f, 0x55, 0xa3, 0x91, 0x8d, 0x6d, 0xc5, 0x1e, 0xfc, 0x98, 0x8b, 0x5c, 0xfa, 0x49,
+	0x82, 0xcc, 0xec, 0x3d, 0x45, 0x79, 0xb8, 0xd0, 0xd4, 0x1a, 0xcd, 0x86, 0xae, 0x1c, 0x98, 0xba,
+	0xa1, 0x18, 0x2d, 0x7d, 0x8e, 0xd9, 0x5b, 0xb0, 0x39, 0x0f, 0xd0, 0x5b, 0x95, 0xdb, 0x35, 0xc3,
+	0x50, 0xf7, 0xb3, 0x12, 0xda, 0x82, 0x73, 0xf3, 0xe6, 0xea, 0x41, 0x43, 0x57, 0xf7, 0xb3, 0xd1,
+	0x20, 0xe3, 0x79, 0x9b, 0x52, 0x69, 0x68, 0x81, 0xe3, 0xca, 0xa2, 0x73, 0x03, 0xc2, 0xfb, 0x9a,
+	0x72, 0x54, 0x1f, 0x13, 0xfe, 0x6e, 0x8a, 0xb0, 0x10, 0xf7, 0x34, 0x61, 0x4d, 0xd5, 0x5b, 0x07,
+	0xc6, 0x1c, 0xe1, 0x85, 0x80, 0x9b, 0xb5, 0xba, 0x72, 0x50, 0xbb, 0xc3, 0x28, 0x6f, 0x83, 0x3c,
+	0x0f, 0x50, 0xaa, 0x55, 0xb5, 0x69, 0x30, 0xd2, 0x0b, 0xac, 0x9a, 0xfa, 0xa9, 0x5a, 0x65, 0xac,
+	0x05, 0xad, 0x5f, 0x24, 0x38, 0xb7, 0xf8, 0x4e, 0xa3, 0x5d, 0xd8, 0x19, 0xbb, 0xab, 0x9f, 0xab,
+	0xd5, 0x96, 0xd1, 0xd0, 0x16, 0xf3, 0xdc, 0x81, 0xc2, 0x4b, 0x91, 0xf5, 0x86, 0x61, 0x6a, 0xad,
+	0x7a, 0x56, 0x5a, 0x8a, 0xd2, 0x5b, 0xd5, 0xaa, 0xaa, 0xeb, 0xd9, 0xe8, 0x52, 0xd4, 0x4d, 0xa5,
+	0x76, 0xd0, 0xd2, 0xd4, 0x90, 0x7c, 0xe5, 0xc6, 0x93, 0xd3, 0x9c, 0xf4, 0xf4, 0x34, 0x27, 0xfd,
+	0x75, 0x9a, 0x93, 0x1e, 0x3e, 0xcb, 0x45, 0x9e, 0x3e, 0xcb, 0x45, 0x7e, 0x7f, 0x96, 0x8b, 0xdc,
+	0xd9, 0xe9, 0x3a, 0xf4, 0x78, 0xd8, 0x2e, 0x75, 0x48, 0x5f, 0x7c, 0x31, 0x88, 0x9f, 0xcb, 0xbe,
+	0xfd, 0x55, 0xf9, 0x3e, 0xff, 0xb4, 0x69, 0xc7, 0xd9, 0x05, 0x78, 0xef, 0xdf, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+	0xff, 0xff, 0x7b, 0x95, 0x5a, 0x6f, 0xf1, 0x0c, 0x00, 0x00,
 }
 
 func (this *GroupPolicyInfo) Equal(that interface{}) bool {
@@ -950,7 +949,7 @@ func (this *GroupPolicyInfo) Equal(that interface{}) bool {
 	if this.Admin != that1.Admin {
 		return false
 	}
-	if !bytes.Equal(this.Metadata, that1.Metadata) {
+	if this.Metadata != that1.Metadata {
 		return false
 	}
 	if this.Version != that1.Version {
@@ -1890,7 +1889,7 @@ func (m *Member) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTypes
@@ -1900,25 +1899,23 @@ func (m *Member) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTypes
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTypes
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.Metadata = append(m.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.Metadata == nil {
-				m.Metadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		case 4:
 			if wireType != 2 {
@@ -2372,7 +2369,7 @@ func (m *GroupInfo) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTypes
@@ -2382,25 +2379,23 @@ func (m *GroupInfo) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTypes
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTypes
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.Metadata = append(m.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.Metadata == nil {
-				m.Metadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		case 4:
 			if wireType != 0 {
@@ -2728,7 +2723,7 @@ func (m *GroupPolicyInfo) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTypes
@@ -2738,25 +2733,23 @@ func (m *GroupPolicyInfo) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTypes
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTypes
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.Metadata = append(m.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.Metadata == nil {
-				m.Metadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		case 5:
 			if wireType != 0 {
@@ -2951,7 +2944,7 @@ func (m *Proposal) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTypes
@@ -2961,25 +2954,23 @@ func (m *Proposal) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTypes
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTypes
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.Metadata = append(m.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.Metadata == nil {
-				m.Metadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		case 4:
 			if wireType != 2 {
@@ -3543,7 +3534,7 @@ func (m *Vote) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 			if wireType != 2 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("proto: wrong wireType = %d for field Metadata", wireType)
 			}
-			var byteLen int
+			var stringLen uint64
 			for shift := uint(0); ; shift += 7 {
 				if shift >= 64 {
 					return ErrIntOverflowTypes
@@ -3553,25 +3544,23 @@ func (m *Vote) Unmarshal(dAtA []byte) error {
 				}
 				b := dAtA[iNdEx]
 				iNdEx++
-				byteLen |= int(b&0x7F) << shift
+				stringLen |= uint64(b&0x7F) << shift
 				if b < 0x80 {
 					break
 				}
 			}
-			if byteLen < 0 {
+			intStringLen := int(stringLen)
+			if intStringLen < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTypes
 			}
-			postIndex := iNdEx + byteLen
+			postIndex := iNdEx + intStringLen
 			if postIndex < 0 {
 				return ErrInvalidLengthTypes
 			}
 			if postIndex > l {
 				return io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
 			}
-			m.Metadata = append(m.Metadata[:0], dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex]...)
-			if m.Metadata == nil {
-				m.Metadata = []byte{}
-			}
+			m.Metadata = string(dAtA[iNdEx:postIndex])
 			iNdEx = postIndex
 		case 5:
 			if wireType != 2 {