diff --git a/collections/CHANGELOG.md b/collections/CHANGELOG.md
index 6b850be66e..7fe504f938 100644
--- a/collections/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/collections/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@ Ref: https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Improvements
+
+* [#24081](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/24081) Remove `cosmossdk.io/core` dependency.
+
 ## [v1.1.0](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/releases/tag/collections%2Fv1.1.0)
 
 ### Improvements
diff --git a/collections/collections_test.go b/collections/collections_test.go
index e6d6c3f824..2fc3eb4324 100644
--- a/collections/collections_test.go
+++ b/collections/collections_test.go
@@ -7,13 +7,13 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
-	"cosmossdk.io/core/store"
-	"cosmossdk.io/core/testing"
+	store "cosmossdk.io/collections/corecompat"
+	"cosmossdk.io/collections/internal/testutil"
 )
 
 func deps() (store.KVStoreService, context.Context) {
-	ctx := coretesting.Context()
-	kv := coretesting.KVStoreService(ctx, "test")
+	ctx := testutil.Context()
+	kv := testutil.KVStoreService(ctx, "test")
 	return kv, ctx
 }
 
diff --git a/collections/colltest/store.go b/collections/colltest/store.go
index d29c3c8729..ac42eec0bf 100644
--- a/collections/colltest/store.go
+++ b/collections/colltest/store.go
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import (
 
 	db "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-db"
 
-	"cosmossdk.io/core/store"
+	store "cosmossdk.io/collections/corecompat"
 )
 
 type contextStoreKey struct{}
diff --git a/collections/corecompat/codec.go b/collections/corecompat/codec.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8f83b9f275
--- /dev/null
+++ b/collections/corecompat/codec.go
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+package corecompat
+
+// Codec defines a Binary Codec and JSON Codec for modules to encode and decode data.
+type Codec interface {
+	BinaryCodec
+	JSONCodec
+}
+
+// BinaryCodec defines a binary encoding and decoding interface for modules to encode and decode data.
+type BinaryCodec interface {
+	Marshal(ProtoMsg) ([]byte, error)
+	Unmarshal([]byte, ProtoMsg) error
+}
+
+// JSONCodec defines a JSON encoding and decoding interface for modules to encode and decode data.
+type JSONCodec interface {
+	MarshalJSON(ProtoMsg) ([]byte, error)
+	UnmarshalJSON([]byte, ProtoMsg) error
+}
+
+// ProtoMsg defines the legacy golang proto message interface.
+type ProtoMsg = interface {
+	Reset()
+	String() string
+	ProtoMessage()
+}
diff --git a/collections/corecompat/doc.go b/collections/corecompat/doc.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5c47a78dd0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/collections/corecompat/doc.go
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+// Package corecompat defines the store, codec and genesis interface that collections expects
+// or implements. These interfaces are all redefined from cosmossdk.io/core in order to
+// avoid a direct dependency on cosmossdk.io/core.
+package corecompat
diff --git a/collections/corecompat/genesis.go b/collections/corecompat/genesis.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..70982bf882
--- /dev/null
+++ b/collections/corecompat/genesis.go
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+package corecompat
+
+import "io"
+
+// GenesisSource is a source for genesis data in JSON format. It may abstract over a
+// single JSON object or separate files for each field in a JSON object that can
+// be streamed over. Modules should open a separate io.ReadCloser for each field that
+// is required. When fields represent arrays they can efficiently be streamed
+// over. If there is no data for a field, this function should return nil, nil. It is
+// important that the caller closes the reader when done with it.
+type GenesisSource = func(field string) (io.ReadCloser, error)
+
+// GenesisTarget is a target for writing genesis data in JSON format. It may
+// abstract over a single JSON object or JSON in separate files that can be
+// streamed over. Modules should open a separate io.WriteCloser for each field
+// and should prefer writing fields as arrays when possible to support efficient
+// iteration. It is important the caller closers the writer AND checks the error
+// when done with it. It is expected that a stream of JSON data is written
+// to the writer.
+type GenesisTarget = func(field string) (io.WriteCloser, error)
diff --git a/collections/corecompat/store.go b/collections/corecompat/store.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d9649f6e4f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/collections/corecompat/store.go
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+package corecompat
+
+import "context"
+
+// KVStoreService represents a unique, non-forgeable handle to a regular merkle-tree
+// backed KVStore. It should be provided as a module-scoped dependency by the runtime
+// module being used to build the app.
+type KVStoreService = interface {
+	// OpenKVStore retrieves the KVStore from the context.
+	OpenKVStore(context.Context) KVStore
+}
+
+// MemoryStoreService represents a unique, non-forgeable handle to a memory-backed
+// KVStore. It should be provided as a module-scoped dependency by the runtime
+// module being used to build the app.
+type MemoryStoreService = interface {
+	// OpenMemoryStore retrieves the memory store from the context.
+	OpenMemoryStore(context.Context) KVStore
+}
+
+// KVStore describes the basic interface for interacting with key-value stores.
+type KVStore = interface {
+	// Get returns nil iff key doesn't exist. Errors on nil key.
+	Get(key []byte) ([]byte, error)
+
+	// Has checks if a key exists. Errors on nil key.
+	Has(key []byte) (bool, error)
+
+	// Set sets the key. Errors on nil key or value.
+	Set(key, value []byte) error
+
+	// Delete deletes the key. Errors on nil key.
+	Delete(key []byte) error
+
+	// Iterator iterates over a domain of keys in ascending order. End is exclusive.
+	// Start must be less than end, or the Iterator is invalid.
+	// Iterator must be closed by caller.
+	// To iterate over entire domain, use store.Iterator(nil, nil)
+	// CONTRACT: No writes may happen within a domain while an iterator exists over it.
+	// Exceptionally allowed for cachekv.Store, safe to write in the modules.
+	Iterator(start, end []byte) (Iterator, error)
+
+	// ReverseIterator iterates over a domain of keys in descending order. End is exclusive.
+	// Start must be less than end, or the Iterator is invalid.
+	// Iterator must be closed by caller.
+	// CONTRACT: No writes may happen within a domain while an iterator exists over it.
+	// Exceptionally allowed for cachekv.Store, safe to write in the modules.
+	ReverseIterator(start, end []byte) (Iterator, error)
+}
+
+// Iterator represents an iterator over a domain of keys. Callers must call
+// Close when done. No writes can happen to a domain while there exists an
+// iterator over it. Some backends may take out database locks to ensure this
+// will not happen.
+//
+// Callers must make sure the iterator is valid before calling any methods on it,
+// otherwise these methods will panic.
+type Iterator = interface {
+	// Domain returns the start (inclusive) and end (exclusive) limits of the iterator.
+	Domain() (start, end []byte)
+
+	// Valid returns whether the current iterator is valid. Once invalid, the Iterator remains
+	// invalid forever.
+	Valid() bool
+
+	// Next moves the iterator to the next key in the database, as defined by order of iteration.
+	// If Valid returns false, this method will panic.
+	Next()
+
+	// Key returns the key at the current position. Panics if the iterator is invalid.
+	// Note, the key returned should be a copy and thus safe for modification.
+	Key() []byte
+
+	// Value returns the value at the current position. Panics if the iterator is
+	// invalid.
+	// Note, the value returned should be a copy and thus safe for modification.
+	Value() []byte
+
+	// Error returns the last error encountered by the iterator, if any.
+	Error() error
+
+	// Close closes the iterator, releasing any allocated resources.
+	Close() error
+}
diff --git a/collections/genesis_test.go b/collections/genesis_test.go
index a22766ffa2..e289068063 100644
--- a/collections/genesis_test.go
+++ b/collections/genesis_test.go
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
-	"cosmossdk.io/core/appmodule"
+	appmodule "cosmossdk.io/collections/corecompat"
 )
 
 func TestDefaultGenesis(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/collections/go.mod b/collections/go.mod
index 825b8f5b65..0db537bb65 100644
--- a/collections/go.mod
+++ b/collections/go.mod
@@ -3,12 +3,10 @@ module cosmossdk.io/collections
 go 1.23.2
 
 require (
-	cosmossdk.io/core v1.0.0
-	cosmossdk.io/core/testing v0.0.2
 	cosmossdk.io/schema v1.0.0
 	github.com/cosmos/cosmos-db v1.1.1
 	github.com/cosmos/gogoproto v1.7.0
-	github.com/google/go-cmp v0.7.0
+	github.com/google/go-cmp v0.6.0
 	github.com/stretchr/testify v1.10.0
 	github.com/tidwall/btree v1.7.0
 	google.golang.org/protobuf v1.36.6
@@ -46,7 +44,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/spf13/cast v1.7.1 // indirect
 	github.com/syndtr/goleveldb v1.0.1-0.20210819022825-2ae1ddf74ef7 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/exp v0.0.0-20230626212559-97b1e661b5df // indirect
-	golang.org/x/sys v0.29.0 // indirect
-	golang.org/x/text v0.21.0 // indirect
+	golang.org/x/sys v0.18.0 // indirect
+	golang.org/x/text v0.14.0 // indirect
 	gopkg.in/yaml.v3 v3.0.1 // indirect
 )
diff --git a/collections/go.sum b/collections/go.sum
index 2509d4cec8..6e55a8b0aa 100644
--- a/collections/go.sum
+++ b/collections/go.sum
@@ -30,10 +30,6 @@ cloud.google.com/go/storage v1.5.0/go.mod h1:tpKbwo567HUNpVclU5sGELwQWBDZ8gh0Zeo
 cloud.google.com/go/storage v1.6.0/go.mod h1:N7U0C8pVQ/+NIKOBQyamJIeKQKkZ+mxpohlUTyfDhBk=
 cloud.google.com/go/storage v1.8.0/go.mod h1:Wv1Oy7z6Yz3DshWRJFhqM/UCfaWIRTdp0RXyy7KQOVs=
 cloud.google.com/go/storage v1.10.0/go.mod h1:FLPqc6j+Ki4BU591ie1oL6qBQGu2Bl/tZ9ullr3+Kg0=
-cosmossdk.io/core v1.0.0 h1:e7XBbISOytLBOXMVwpRPixThXqEkeLGlg8no/qpgS8U=
-cosmossdk.io/core v1.0.0/go.mod h1:mKIp3RkoEmtqdEdFHxHwWAULRe+79gfdOvmArrLDbDc=
-cosmossdk.io/core/testing v0.0.2 h1:TXAmsnHa1C5lLiVN1z+rnkiyNS6sNwcGJCb6OouaNv8=
-cosmossdk.io/core/testing v0.0.2/go.mod h1:6Y3QaoNXsgeHiV4+9oYF/IqMFqCK5cJClonw/OXxHlY=
 cosmossdk.io/schema v1.0.0 h1:/diH4XJjpV1JQwuIozwr+A4uFuuwanFdnw2kKeiXwwQ=
 cosmossdk.io/schema v1.0.0/go.mod h1:RDAhxIeNB4bYqAlF4NBJwRrgtnciMcyyg0DOKnhNZQQ=
 dmitri.shuralyov.com/gpu/mtl v0.0.0-20190408044501-666a987793e9/go.mod h1:H6x//7gZCb22OMCxBHrMx7a5I7Hp++hsVxbQ4BYO7hU=
@@ -153,8 +149,8 @@ github.com/google/go-cmp v0.5.0/go.mod h1:v8dTdLbMG2kIc/vJvl+f65V22dbkXbowE6jgT/
 github.com/google/go-cmp v0.5.1/go.mod h1:v8dTdLbMG2kIc/vJvl+f65V22dbkXbowE6jgT/gNBxE=
 github.com/google/go-cmp v0.5.4/go.mod h1:v8dTdLbMG2kIc/vJvl+f65V22dbkXbowE6jgT/gNBxE=
 github.com/google/go-cmp v0.5.5/go.mod h1:v8dTdLbMG2kIc/vJvl+f65V22dbkXbowE6jgT/gNBxE=
-github.com/google/go-cmp v0.7.0 h1:wk8382ETsv4JYUZwIsn6YpYiWiBsYLSJiTsyBybVuN8=
-github.com/google/go-cmp v0.7.0/go.mod h1:pXiqmnSA92OHEEa9HXL2W4E7lf9JzCmGVUdgjX3N/iU=
+github.com/google/go-cmp v0.6.0 h1:ofyhxvXcZhMsU5ulbFiLKl/XBFqE1GSq7atu8tAmTRI=
+github.com/google/go-cmp v0.6.0/go.mod h1:17dUlkBOakJ0+DkrSSNjCkIjxS6bF9zb3elmeNGIjoY=
 github.com/google/gofuzz v1.0.0/go.mod h1:dBl0BpW6vV/+mYPU4Po3pmUjxk6FQPldtuIdl/M65Eg=
 github.com/google/martian v2.1.0+incompatible/go.mod h1:9I4somxYTbIHy5NJKHRl3wXiIaQGbYVAs8BPL6v8lEs=
 github.com/google/martian/v3 v3.0.0/go.mod h1:y5Zk1BBys9G+gd6Jrk0W3cC1+ELVxBWuIGO+w/tUAp0=
@@ -348,8 +344,8 @@ golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20200813134508-3edf25e44fcc/go.mod h1:/O7V0waA8r7cgGh81R
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20200822124328-c89045814202/go.mod h1:/O7V0waA8r7cgGh81Ro3o1hOxt32SMVPicZroKQ2sZA=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20201021035429-f5854403a974/go.mod h1:sp8m0HH+o8qH0wwXwYZr8TS3Oi6o0r6Gce1SSxlDquU=
 golang.org/x/net v0.0.0-20210525063256-abc453219eb5/go.mod h1:9nx3DQGgdP8bBQD5qxJ1jj9UTztislL4KSBs9R2vV5Y=
-golang.org/x/net v0.34.0 h1:Mb7Mrk043xzHgnRM88suvJFwzVrRfHEHJEl5/71CKw0=
-golang.org/x/net v0.34.0/go.mod h1:di0qlW3YNM5oh6GqDGQr92MyTozJPmybPK4Ev/Gm31k=
+golang.org/x/net v0.23.0 h1:7EYJ93RZ9vYSZAIb2x3lnuvqO5zneoD6IvWjuhfxjTs=
+golang.org/x/net v0.23.0/go.mod h1:JKghWKKOSdJwpW2GEx0Ja7fmaKnMsbu+MWVZTokSYmg=
 golang.org/x/oauth2 v0.0.0-20180821212333-d2e6202438be/go.mod h1:N/0e6XlmueqKjAGxoOufVs8QHGRruUQn6yWY3a++T0U=
 golang.org/x/oauth2 v0.0.0-20190226205417-e64efc72b421/go.mod h1:gOpvHmFTYa4IltrdGE7lF6nIHvwfUNPOp7c8zoXwtLw=
 golang.org/x/oauth2 v0.0.0-20190604053449-0f29369cfe45/go.mod h1:gOpvHmFTYa4IltrdGE7lF6nIHvwfUNPOp7c8zoXwtLw=
@@ -366,8 +362,8 @@ golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20200317015054-43a5402ce75a/go.mod h1:RxMgew5VJxzue5/jJ
 golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20200625203802-6e8e738ad208/go.mod h1:RxMgew5VJxzue5/jJTE5uejpjVlOe/izrB70Jof72aM=
 golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20201020160332-67f06af15bc9/go.mod h1:RxMgew5VJxzue5/jJTE5uejpjVlOe/izrB70Jof72aM=
 golang.org/x/sync v0.0.0-20201207232520-09787c993a3a/go.mod h1:RxMgew5VJxzue5/jJTE5uejpjVlOe/izrB70Jof72aM=
-golang.org/x/sync v0.10.0 h1:3NQrjDixjgGwUOCaF8w2+VYHv0Ve/vGYSbdkTa98gmQ=
-golang.org/x/sync v0.10.0/go.mod h1:Czt+wKu1gCyEFDUtn0jG5QVvpJ6rzVqr5aXyt9drQfk=
+golang.org/x/sync v0.7.0 h1:YsImfSBoP9QPYL0xyKJPq0gcaJdG3rInoqxTWbfQu9M=
+golang.org/x/sync v0.7.0/go.mod h1:Czt+wKu1gCyEFDUtn0jG5QVvpJ6rzVqr5aXyt9drQfk=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20180830151530-49385e6e1522/go.mod h1:STP8DvDyc/dI5b8T5hshtkjS+E42TnysNCUPdjciGhY=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20180905080454-ebe1bf3edb33/go.mod h1:STP8DvDyc/dI5b8T5hshtkjS+E42TnysNCUPdjciGhY=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20180909124046-d0be0721c37e/go.mod h1:STP8DvDyc/dI5b8T5hshtkjS+E42TnysNCUPdjciGhY=
@@ -411,8 +407,8 @@ golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210124154548-22da62e12c0c/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7w
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210423082822-04245dca01da/go.mod h1:h1NjWce9XRLGQEsW7wpKNCjG9DtNlClVuFLEZdDNbEs=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20210603081109-ebe580a85c40/go.mod h1:oPkhp1MJrh7nUepCBck5+mAzfO9JrbApNNgaTdGDITg=
 golang.org/x/sys v0.0.0-20220114195835-da31bd327af9/go.mod h1:oPkhp1MJrh7nUepCBck5+mAzfO9JrbApNNgaTdGDITg=
-golang.org/x/sys v0.29.0 h1:TPYlXGxvx1MGTn2GiZDhnjPA9wZzZeGKHHmKhHYvgaU=
-golang.org/x/sys v0.29.0/go.mod h1:/VUhepiaJMQUp4+oa/7Zr1D23ma6VTLIYjOOTFZPUcA=
+golang.org/x/sys v0.18.0 h1:DBdB3niSjOA/O0blCZBqDefyWNYveAYMNF1Wum0DYQ4=
+golang.org/x/sys v0.18.0/go.mod h1:/VUhepiaJMQUp4+oa/7Zr1D23ma6VTLIYjOOTFZPUcA=
 golang.org/x/term v0.0.0-20201126162022-7de9c90e9dd1/go.mod h1:bj7SfCRtBDWHUb9snDiAeCFNEtKQo2Wmx5Cou7ajbmo=
 golang.org/x/text v0.0.0-20170915032832-14c0d48ead0c/go.mod h1:NqM8EUOU14njkJ3fqMW+pc6Ldnwhi/IjpwHt7yyuwOQ=
 golang.org/x/text v0.3.0/go.mod h1:NqM8EUOU14njkJ3fqMW+pc6Ldnwhi/IjpwHt7yyuwOQ=
@@ -420,8 +416,8 @@ golang.org/x/text v0.3.1-0.20180807135948-17ff2d5776d2/go.mod h1:NqM8EUOU14njkJ3
 golang.org/x/text v0.3.2/go.mod h1:bEr9sfX3Q8Zfm5fL9x+3itogRgK3+ptLWKqgva+5dAk=
 golang.org/x/text v0.3.3/go.mod h1:5Zoc/QRtKVWzQhOtBMvqHzDpF6irO9z98xDceosuGiQ=
 golang.org/x/text v0.3.6/go.mod h1:5Zoc/QRtKVWzQhOtBMvqHzDpF6irO9z98xDceosuGiQ=
-golang.org/x/text v0.21.0 h1:zyQAAkrwaneQ066sspRyJaG9VNi/YJ1NfzcGB3hZ/qo=
-golang.org/x/text v0.21.0/go.mod h1:4IBbMaMmOPCJ8SecivzSH54+73PCFmPWxNTLm+vZkEQ=
+golang.org/x/text v0.14.0 h1:ScX5w1eTa3QqT8oi6+ziP7dTV1S2+ALU0bI+0zXKWiQ=
+golang.org/x/text v0.14.0/go.mod h1:18ZOQIKpY8NJVqYksKHtTdi31H5itFRjB5/qKTNYzSU=
 golang.org/x/time v0.0.0-20181108054448-85acf8d2951c/go.mod h1:tRJNPiyCQ0inRvYxbN9jk5I+vvW/OXSQhTDSoE431IQ=
 golang.org/x/time v0.0.0-20190308202827-9d24e82272b4/go.mod h1:tRJNPiyCQ0inRvYxbN9jk5I+vvW/OXSQhTDSoE431IQ=
 golang.org/x/time v0.0.0-20191024005414-555d28b269f0/go.mod h1:tRJNPiyCQ0inRvYxbN9jk5I+vvW/OXSQhTDSoE431IQ=
diff --git a/collections/indexed_map_test.go b/collections/indexed_map_test.go
index f7eba42d40..5af4e40b23 100644
--- a/collections/indexed_map_test.go
+++ b/collections/indexed_map_test.go
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"cosmossdk.io/collections"
 	"cosmossdk.io/collections/colltest"
 	"cosmossdk.io/collections/indexes"
-	"cosmossdk.io/core/testing"
+	"cosmossdk.io/collections/internal/testutil"
 )
 
 type company struct {
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ func newTestIndexedMap(schema *collections.SchemaBuilder) *collections.IndexedMa
 }
 
 func TestIndexedMap(t *testing.T) {
-	ctx := coretesting.Context()
-	sk := coretesting.KVStoreService(ctx, "test")
+	ctx := testutil.Context()
+	sk := testutil.KVStoreService(ctx, "test")
 
 	schema := collections.NewSchemaBuilder(sk)
 
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ func newInferIndex(schema *collections.SchemaBuilder) *inferIndex {
 }
 
 func TestIndexedMapInfer(t *testing.T) {
-	sk := coretesting.KVStoreService(coretesting.Context(), "test")
+	sk := testutil.KVStoreService(testutil.Context(), "test")
 	schema := collections.NewSchemaBuilder(sk)
 
 	_, err := collections.NewIndexedMapSafe(schema, collections.NewPrefix(0), "im", collections.StringKey, colltest.MockValueCodec[company](), newInferIndex(schema))
diff --git a/collections/indexes/indexes_test.go b/collections/indexes/indexes_test.go
index 470b6d4a62..7e9ae1553e 100644
--- a/collections/indexes/indexes_test.go
+++ b/collections/indexes/indexes_test.go
@@ -3,13 +3,13 @@ package indexes
 import (
 	"context"
 
-	"cosmossdk.io/core/store"
-	"cosmossdk.io/core/testing"
+	store "cosmossdk.io/collections/corecompat"
+	"cosmossdk.io/collections/internal/testutil"
 )
 
 func deps() (store.KVStoreService, context.Context) {
-	ctx := coretesting.Context()
-	kv := coretesting.KVStoreService(ctx, "test")
+	ctx := testutil.Context()
+	kv := testutil.KVStoreService(ctx, "test")
 	return kv, ctx
 }
 
diff --git a/collections/internal/testutil/context.go b/collections/internal/testutil/context.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7fb040e06c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/collections/internal/testutil/context.go
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+package testutil
+
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	"cosmossdk.io/collections/corecompat"
+)
+
+type dummyKey struct{}
+
+func Context() context.Context {
+	dummy := &dummyCtx{
+		stores: map[string]corecompat.KVStore{},
+	}
+
+	ctx := context.WithValue(context.Background(), dummyKey{}, dummy)
+	return ctx
+}
+
+type dummyCtx struct {
+	// maps store by the actor.
+	stores map[string]corecompat.KVStore
+}
+
+func unwrap(ctx context.Context) *dummyCtx {
+	dummy := ctx.Value(dummyKey{})
+	if dummy == nil {
+		panic("invalid ctx without dummy")
+	}
+
+	return dummy.(*dummyCtx)
+}
diff --git a/collections/internal/testutil/store.go b/collections/internal/testutil/store.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bfdc6fab06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/collections/internal/testutil/store.go
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+package testutil
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+
+	db "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-db"
+
+	store "cosmossdk.io/collections/corecompat"
+)
+
+var _ store.KVStoreService = (*kvStoreService)(nil)
+
+func KVStoreService(ctx context.Context, moduleName string) store.KVStoreService {
+	unwrap(ctx).stores[moduleName] = db.NewMemDB()
+	return kvStoreService{
+		moduleName: moduleName,
+	}
+}
+
+type kvStoreService struct {
+	moduleName string
+}
+
+func (k kvStoreService) OpenKVStore(ctx context.Context) store.KVStore {
+	kv, ok := unwrap(ctx).stores[k.moduleName]
+	if !ok {
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("KVStoreService %s not found", k.moduleName))
+	}
+	return kv
+}
diff --git a/collections/iter.go b/collections/iter.go
index ea87082a26..48c393b418 100644
--- a/collections/iter.go
+++ b/collections/iter.go
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 
 	"cosmossdk.io/collections/codec"
-	"cosmossdk.io/core/store"
+	store "cosmossdk.io/collections/corecompat"
 )
 
 // ErrInvalidIterator is returned when an Iterate call resulted in an invalid iterator.
diff --git a/collections/lookup_map_test.go b/collections/lookup_map_test.go
index 74d3cbac6b..d73818e228 100644
--- a/collections/lookup_map_test.go
+++ b/collections/lookup_map_test.go
@@ -6,12 +6,12 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
 	"cosmossdk.io/collections"
-	"cosmossdk.io/core/testing"
+	"cosmossdk.io/collections/internal/testutil"
 )
 
 func TestLookupMap(t *testing.T) {
-	ctx := coretesting.Context()
-	sk := coretesting.KVStoreService(ctx, "test")
+	ctx := testutil.Context()
+	sk := testutil.KVStoreService(ctx, "test")
 	schema := collections.NewSchemaBuilder(sk)
 
 	lm := collections.NewLookupMap(schema, collections.NewPrefix("hi"), "lm", collections.Uint64Key, collections.Uint64Value)
diff --git a/collections/map.go b/collections/map.go
index 3fda806df3..30f28dbd9e 100644
--- a/collections/map.go
+++ b/collections/map.go
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 
 	"cosmossdk.io/collections/codec"
-	"cosmossdk.io/core/store"
+	store "cosmossdk.io/collections/corecompat"
 )
 
 // Map represents the basic collections object.
diff --git a/collections/protocodec/collections.go b/collections/protocodec/collections.go
index f989cddbcd..77dee98bc8 100644
--- a/collections/protocodec/collections.go
+++ b/collections/protocodec/collections.go
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import (
 
 	"cosmossdk.io/collections"
 	collcodec "cosmossdk.io/collections/codec"
-	corecodec "cosmossdk.io/core/codec"
+	corecodec "cosmossdk.io/collections/corecompat"
 )
 
 // BoolValue implements a ValueCodec that saves the bool value
diff --git a/collections/quad_test.go b/collections/quad_test.go
index 0a4b3cc779..961b5a5c50 100644
--- a/collections/quad_test.go
+++ b/collections/quad_test.go
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 
 	"cosmossdk.io/collections"
 	"cosmossdk.io/collections/colltest"
-	coretesting "cosmossdk.io/core/testing"
+	"cosmossdk.io/collections/internal/testutil"
 )
 
 func TestQuad(t *testing.T) {
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ func TestQuad(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestQuadRange(t *testing.T) {
-	ctx := coretesting.Context()
-	sk := coretesting.KVStoreService(ctx, "test")
+	ctx := testutil.Context()
+	sk := testutil.KVStoreService(ctx, "test")
 	schema := collections.NewSchemaBuilder(sk)
 	// this is a key composed of 4 parts: uint64, string, []byte, bool
 	kc := collections.QuadKeyCodec(collections.Uint64Key, collections.StringKey, collections.BytesKey, collections.BoolKey)
diff --git a/collections/schema.go b/collections/schema.go
index 8cc851166f..48df1c861d 100644
--- a/collections/schema.go
+++ b/collections/schema.go
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
 
-	"cosmossdk.io/core/appmodule"
-	"cosmossdk.io/core/store"
+	core "cosmossdk.io/collections/corecompat"
 )
 
 // SchemaBuilder is used for building schemas. The Build method should always
@@ -20,7 +19,7 @@ type SchemaBuilder struct {
 }
 
 // NewSchemaBuilderFromAccessor creates a new schema builder from the provided store accessor function.
-func NewSchemaBuilderFromAccessor(accessorFunc func(ctx context.Context) store.KVStore) *SchemaBuilder {
+func NewSchemaBuilderFromAccessor(accessorFunc func(ctx context.Context) core.KVStore) *SchemaBuilder {
 	return &SchemaBuilder{
 		schema: &Schema{
 			storeAccessor:       accessorFunc,
@@ -33,7 +32,7 @@ func NewSchemaBuilderFromAccessor(accessorFunc func(ctx context.Context) store.K
 // NewSchemaBuilder creates a new schema builder from the provided store key.
 // Callers should always call the SchemaBuilder.Build method when they are
 // done adding collections to the schema.
-func NewSchemaBuilder(service store.KVStoreService) *SchemaBuilder {
+func NewSchemaBuilder(service core.KVStoreService) *SchemaBuilder {
 	return NewSchemaBuilderFromAccessor(service.OpenKVStore)
 }
 
@@ -125,22 +124,22 @@ var nameRegex = regexp.MustCompile("^" + NameRegex + "$")
 // methods for importing/exporting genesis data and for schema reflection for
 // clients.
 type Schema struct {
-	storeAccessor       func(context.Context) store.KVStore
+	storeAccessor       func(context.Context) core.KVStore
 	collectionsOrdered  []string
 	collectionsByPrefix map[string]Collection
 	collectionsByName   map[string]Collection
 }
 
 // NewSchema creates a new schema for the provided KVStoreService.
-func NewSchema(service store.KVStoreService) Schema {
-	return NewSchemaFromAccessor(func(ctx context.Context) store.KVStore {
+func NewSchema(service core.KVStoreService) Schema {
+	return NewSchemaFromAccessor(func(ctx context.Context) core.KVStore {
 		return service.OpenKVStore(ctx)
 	})
 }
 
 // NewMemoryStoreSchema creates a new schema for the provided MemoryStoreService.
-func NewMemoryStoreSchema(service store.MemoryStoreService) Schema {
-	return NewSchemaFromAccessor(func(ctx context.Context) store.KVStore {
+func NewMemoryStoreSchema(service core.MemoryStoreService) Schema {
+	return NewSchemaFromAccessor(func(ctx context.Context) core.KVStore {
 		return service.OpenMemoryStore(ctx)
 	})
 }
@@ -153,7 +152,7 @@ func NewMemoryStoreSchema(service store.MemoryStoreService) Schema {
 //	NewSchemaFromAccessor(func(ctx context.Context) store.KVStore {
 //			return sdk.UnwrapSDKContext(ctx).KVStore(kvStoreKey)
 //	}
-func NewSchemaFromAccessor(accessor func(context.Context) store.KVStore) Schema {
+func NewSchemaFromAccessor(accessor func(context.Context) core.KVStore) Schema {
 	return Schema{
 		storeAccessor:       accessor,
 		collectionsByName:   map[string]Collection{},
@@ -168,7 +167,7 @@ func (s Schema) IsOnePerModuleType() {}
 func (s Schema) IsAppModule() {}
 
 // DefaultGenesis implements the appmodule.HasGenesis.DefaultGenesis method.
-func (s Schema) DefaultGenesis(target appmodule.GenesisTarget) error {
+func (s Schema) DefaultGenesis(target core.GenesisTarget) error {
 	for _, name := range s.collectionsOrdered {
 		err := s.defaultGenesis(target, name)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -179,7 +178,7 @@ func (s Schema) DefaultGenesis(target appmodule.GenesisTarget) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s Schema) defaultGenesis(target appmodule.GenesisTarget, name string) error {
+func (s Schema) defaultGenesis(target core.GenesisTarget, name string) error {
 	wc, err := target(name)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -195,7 +194,7 @@ func (s Schema) defaultGenesis(target appmodule.GenesisTarget, name string) erro
 }
 
 // ValidateGenesis implements the appmodule.HasGenesis.ValidateGenesis method.
-func (s Schema) ValidateGenesis(source appmodule.GenesisSource) error {
+func (s Schema) ValidateGenesis(source core.GenesisSource) error {
 	for _, name := range s.collectionsOrdered {
 		err := s.validateGenesis(source, name)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -205,7 +204,7 @@ func (s Schema) ValidateGenesis(source appmodule.GenesisSource) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s Schema) validateGenesis(source appmodule.GenesisSource, name string) error {
+func (s Schema) validateGenesis(source core.GenesisSource, name string) error {
 	rc, err := source(name)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -226,7 +225,7 @@ func (s Schema) validateGenesis(source appmodule.GenesisSource, name string) err
 }
 
 // InitGenesis implements the appmodule.HasGenesis.InitGenesis method.
-func (s Schema) InitGenesis(ctx context.Context, source appmodule.GenesisSource) error {
+func (s Schema) InitGenesis(ctx context.Context, source core.GenesisSource) error {
 	for _, name := range s.collectionsOrdered {
 		err := s.initGenesis(ctx, source, name)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -237,7 +236,7 @@ func (s Schema) InitGenesis(ctx context.Context, source appmodule.GenesisSource)
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s Schema) initGenesis(ctx context.Context, source appmodule.GenesisSource, name string) error {
+func (s Schema) initGenesis(ctx context.Context, source core.GenesisSource, name string) error {
 	rc, err := source(name)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -258,7 +257,7 @@ func (s Schema) initGenesis(ctx context.Context, source appmodule.GenesisSource,
 }
 
 // ExportGenesis implements the appmodule.HasGenesis.ExportGenesis method.
-func (s Schema) ExportGenesis(ctx context.Context, target appmodule.GenesisTarget) error {
+func (s Schema) ExportGenesis(ctx context.Context, target core.GenesisTarget) error {
 	for _, name := range s.collectionsOrdered {
 		err := s.exportGenesis(ctx, target, name)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -269,7 +268,7 @@ func (s Schema) ExportGenesis(ctx context.Context, target appmodule.GenesisTarge
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s Schema) exportGenesis(ctx context.Context, target appmodule.GenesisTarget, name string) error {
+func (s Schema) exportGenesis(ctx context.Context, target core.GenesisTarget, name string) error {
 	wc, err := target(name)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
diff --git a/collections/triple_test.go b/collections/triple_test.go
index c605a7aeab..2324625690 100644
--- a/collections/triple_test.go
+++ b/collections/triple_test.go
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 
 	"cosmossdk.io/collections"
 	"cosmossdk.io/collections/colltest"
-	coretesting "cosmossdk.io/core/testing"
+	"cosmossdk.io/collections/internal/testutil"
 )
 
 func TestTriple(t *testing.T) {
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ func TestTriple(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestTripleRange(t *testing.T) {
-	ctx := coretesting.Context()
-	sk := coretesting.KVStoreService(ctx, "test")
+	ctx := testutil.Context()
+	sk := testutil.KVStoreService(ctx, "test")
 	schema := collections.NewSchemaBuilder(sk)
 	// this is a key composed of 3 parts: uint64, string, []byte
 	kc := collections.TripleKeyCodec(collections.Uint64Key, collections.StringKey, collections.BytesKey)