diff --git a/docs/guide/counter/plugins/counter/counter.go b/docs/guide/counter/plugins/counter/counter.go
index 6a17653d30..53ae4f9f5e 100644
--- a/docs/guide/counter/plugins/counter/counter.go
+++ b/docs/guide/counter/plugins/counter/counter.go
@@ -114,7 +114,8 @@ func NewHandler(feeDenom string) basecoin.Handler {
 
 // Handler the counter transaction processing handler
 type Handler struct {
-	stack.NopOption
+	stack.PassInitState
+	stack.PassInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ stack.Dispatchable = Handler{}
diff --git a/handler.go b/handler.go
index a7e2b7334f..c15d479fad 100644
--- a/handler.go
+++ b/handler.go
@@ -10,22 +10,27 @@ import (
 
 // Handler is anything that processes a transaction
 type Handler interface {
+	// Checker verifies there are valid fees and estimates work
 	Checker
+	// Deliver performs the tx once it makes it in the block
 	Deliver
-	// This is for app options
+	// InitStater sets state from the genesis file
 	InitStater
+	// InitValidater sets the initial validator set
+	InitValidater
+	// Named ensures there is a name for the item
 	Named
-	// TODO: for staker
-	// InitChain(log log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, vals []*abci.Validator)
 
 	// TODO????
 	// BeginBlock(store state.SimpleDB, hash []byte, header *abci.Header)
 }
 
+// Named ensures there is a name for the item
 type Named interface {
 	Name() string
 }
 
+// Checker verifies there are valid fees and estimates work
 type Checker interface {
 	CheckTx(ctx Context, store state.SimpleDB, tx Tx) (CheckResult, error)
 }
@@ -37,6 +42,7 @@ func (c CheckerFunc) CheckTx(ctx Context, store state.SimpleDB, tx Tx) (CheckRes
 	return c(ctx, store, tx)
 }
 
+// Deliver performs the tx once it makes it in the block
 type Deliver interface {
 	DeliverTx(ctx Context, store state.SimpleDB, tx Tx) (DeliverResult, error)
 }
@@ -48,6 +54,7 @@ func (c DeliverFunc) DeliverTx(ctx Context, store state.SimpleDB, tx Tx) (Delive
 	return c(ctx, store, tx)
 }
 
+// InitStater sets state from the genesis file
 type InitStater interface {
 	InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, module, key, value string) (string, error)
 }
@@ -59,6 +66,18 @@ func (c InitStateFunc) InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, module, key
 	return c(l, store, module, key, value)
 }
 
+// InitValidater sets the initial validator set
+type InitValidater interface {
+	InitValidate(log log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, vals []*abci.Validator)
+}
+
+// InitValidateFunc (like http.HandlerFunc) is a shortcut for making wrapers
+type InitValidateFunc func(log.Logger, state.SimpleDB, []*abci.Validator)
+
+func (c InitValidateFunc) InitValidate(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, vals []*abci.Validator) {
+	c(l, store, vals)
+}
+
 //---------- results and some wrappers --------
 
 type Dataer interface {
@@ -119,8 +138,12 @@ type NopDeliver struct{}
 
 func (_ NopDeliver) DeliverTx(Context, state.SimpleDB, Tx) (r DeliverResult, e error) { return }
 
-type NopOption struct{}
+type NopInitState struct{}
 
-func (_ NopOption) InitState(log.Logger, state.SimpleDB, string, string, string) (string, error) {
+func (_ NopInitState) InitState(log.Logger, state.SimpleDB, string, string, string) (string, error) {
 	return "", nil
 }
+
+type NopInitValidate struct{}
+
+func (_ NopInitValidate) InitValidate(log log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, vals []*abci.Validator) {}
diff --git a/modules/auth/signature.go b/modules/auth/signature.go
index a10ebd5b98..01ee72bd4c 100644
--- a/modules/auth/signature.go
+++ b/modules/auth/signature.go
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ const (
 // Signatures parses out go-crypto signatures and adds permissions to the
 // context for use inside the application
 type Signatures struct {
-	stack.PassOption
+	stack.PassInitState
+	stack.PassInitValidate
 }
 
 // Name of the module - fulfills Middleware interface
diff --git a/modules/base/chain.go b/modules/base/chain.go
index 98391e14b4..b2fa845c48 100644
--- a/modules/base/chain.go
+++ b/modules/base/chain.go
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ const (
 
 // Chain enforces that this tx was bound to the named chain
 type Chain struct {
-	stack.PassOption
+	stack.PassInitState
+	stack.PassInitValidate
 }
 
 // Name of the module - fulfills Middleware interface
diff --git a/modules/base/logger.go b/modules/base/logger.go
index 581fcfb42b..4d8d291352 100644
--- a/modules/base/logger.go
+++ b/modules/base/logger.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package base
 import (
 	"time"
 
+	abci "github.com/tendermint/abci/types"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tmlibs/log"
 
 	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin"
@@ -70,6 +71,15 @@ func (Logger) InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, module, key, value s
 	return res, err
 }
 
+// InitValidate logs time and result - fulfills Middlware interface
+func (Logger) InitValidate(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, vals []*abci.Validator, next basecoin.InitValidater) {
+	start := time.Now()
+	next.InitValidate(l, store, vals)
+	delta := time.Now().Sub(start)
+	l = l.With("duration", micros(delta))
+	l.Info("InitValidate")
+}
+
 // micros returns how many microseconds passed in a call
 func micros(d time.Duration) int {
 	return int(d.Seconds() * 1000000)
diff --git a/modules/base/multiplexer.go b/modules/base/multiplexer.go
index 4f2c4713a0..f9eac82070 100644
--- a/modules/base/multiplexer.go
+++ b/modules/base/multiplexer.go
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ package base
 
 // // Multiplexer grabs a MultiTx and sends them sequentially down the line
 // type Multiplexer struct {
-// 	stack.PassOption
+// 	stack.PassInitState
 // }
 
 // // Name of the module - fulfills Middleware interface
diff --git a/modules/coin/handler.go b/modules/coin/handler.go
index dfaa2fa173..52fa820b09 100644
--- a/modules/coin/handler.go
+++ b/modules/coin/handler.go
@@ -16,7 +16,9 @@ import (
 const NameCoin = "coin"
 
 // Handler includes an accountant
-type Handler struct{}
+type Handler struct {
+	stack.PassInitValidate
+}
 
 var _ stack.Dispatchable = Handler{}
 
diff --git a/modules/fee/handler.go b/modules/fee/handler.go
index ab0e6fbb73..536131648f 100644
--- a/modules/fee/handler.go
+++ b/modules/fee/handler.go
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ type SimpleFeeMiddleware struct {
 	// all fees go here, which could be a dump (Bank) or something reachable
 	// by other app logic
 	Collector basecoin.Actor
-	stack.PassOption
+	stack.PassInitState
+	stack.PassInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ stack.Middleware = SimpleFeeMiddleware{}
diff --git a/modules/ibc/handler.go b/modules/ibc/handler.go
index 298f62780e..b4df69c224 100644
--- a/modules/ibc/handler.go
+++ b/modules/ibc/handler.go
@@ -34,7 +34,9 @@ func AllowIBC(app string) basecoin.Actor {
 }
 
 // Handler updates the chain state or creates an ibc packet
-type Handler struct{}
+type Handler struct {
+	basecoin.NopInitValidate
+}
 
 var _ basecoin.Handler = Handler{}
 
diff --git a/modules/ibc/middleware.go b/modules/ibc/middleware.go
index 191a533134..c81bcec48a 100644
--- a/modules/ibc/middleware.go
+++ b/modules/ibc/middleware.go
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@ import (
 // Middleware allows us to verify the IBC proof on a packet and
 // and if valid, attach this permission to the wrapped packet
 type Middleware struct {
-	stack.PassOption
+	stack.PassInitState
+	stack.PassInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ stack.Middleware = Middleware{}
diff --git a/modules/nonce/replaycheck.go b/modules/nonce/replaycheck.go
index 1a125dea9c..742cd348f7 100644
--- a/modules/nonce/replaycheck.go
+++ b/modules/nonce/replaycheck.go
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ const (
 
 // ReplayCheck uses the sequence to check for replay attacks
 type ReplayCheck struct {
-	stack.PassOption
+	stack.PassInitState
+	stack.PassInitValidate
 }
 
 // Name of the module - fulfills Middleware interface
diff --git a/modules/roles/handler.go b/modules/roles/handler.go
index 155ba056b7..a3d4161bb9 100644
--- a/modules/roles/handler.go
+++ b/modules/roles/handler.go
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ const NameRole = "role"
 
 // Handler allows us to create new roles
 type Handler struct {
-	basecoin.NopOption
+	basecoin.NopInitState
+	basecoin.NopInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ basecoin.Handler = Handler{}
diff --git a/modules/roles/middleware.go b/modules/roles/middleware.go
index c25382a62f..229eb0a55e 100644
--- a/modules/roles/middleware.go
+++ b/modules/roles/middleware.go
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@ import (
 // Middleware allows us to add a requested role as a permission
 // if the tx requests it and has sufficient authority
 type Middleware struct {
-	stack.PassOption
+	stack.PassInitState
+	stack.PassInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ stack.Middleware = Middleware{}
diff --git a/stack/checkpoint.go b/stack/checkpoint.go
index 66524ae54d..e5426be8a9 100644
--- a/stack/checkpoint.go
+++ b/stack/checkpoint.go
@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@ const (
 type Checkpoint struct {
 	OnCheck   bool
 	OnDeliver bool
-	PassOption
+	PassInitState
+	PassInitValidate
 }
 
 // Name of the module - fulfills Middleware interface
diff --git a/stack/checkpoint_test.go b/stack/checkpoint_test.go
index dd356e3f96..013990649c 100644
--- a/stack/checkpoint_test.go
+++ b/stack/checkpoint_test.go
@@ -32,12 +32,12 @@ func makeState() state.SimpleDB {
 func TestCheckpointer(t *testing.T) {
 	assert, require := assert.New(t), require.New(t)
 
-	good := writerHand{"foo", []byte{1, 2}, []byte("bar")}
+	good := writerHand{name: "foo", key: []byte{1, 2}, value: []byte("bar")}
 	bad := FailHandler{Err: errors.New("no go")}
 
 	app := New(
 		Checkpoint{OnCheck: true},
-		writerMid{"bing", []byte{1, 2}, []byte("bang")},
+		writerMid{name: "bing", key: []byte{1, 2}, value: []byte("bang")},
 		Checkpoint{OnDeliver: true},
 	).Use(
 		NewDispatcher(
diff --git a/stack/dispatcher.go b/stack/dispatcher.go
index e4a34c0b7f..54d67f11c9 100644
--- a/stack/dispatcher.go
+++ b/stack/dispatcher.go
@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@ package stack
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"sort"
 	"strings"
 
+	abci "github.com/tendermint/abci/types"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tmlibs/log"
 
 	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin"
@@ -119,6 +121,16 @@ func (d *Dispatcher) InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, module, key,
 	return r.InitState(l, store, module, key, value, cb)
 }
 
+// InitValidate makes sure all modules are informed
+func (d *Dispatcher) InitValidate(log log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, vals []*abci.Validator) {
+	for _, mod := range d.sortedModules() {
+		// no ctx, so secureCheck not needed
+		cb := d
+		space := stateSpace(store, mod.Name())
+		mod.InitValidate(log, space, vals, cb)
+	}
+}
+
 func (d *Dispatcher) lookupTx(tx basecoin.Tx) (Dispatchable, error) {
 	kind, err := tx.GetKind()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -140,3 +152,19 @@ func (d *Dispatcher) lookupModule(name string) (Dispatchable, error) {
 	}
 	return r, nil
 }
+
+func (d *Dispatcher) sortedModules() []Dispatchable {
+	// order all routes names
+	size := len(d.routes)
+	names := make([]string, 0, size)
+	for k := range d.routes {
+		names = append(names, k)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(names)
+
+	res := make([]Dispatchable, size)
+	for i, k := range names {
+		res[i] = d.routes[k]
+	}
+	return res
+}
diff --git a/stack/helpers.go b/stack/helpers.go
index e91086d35d..ca3c7f586a 100644
--- a/stack/helpers.go
+++ b/stack/helpers.go
@@ -94,7 +94,8 @@ func (r FailTx) ValidateBasic() error {
 // OKHandler just used to return okay to everything
 type OKHandler struct {
 	Log string
-	basecoin.NopOption
+	basecoin.NopInitState
+	basecoin.NopInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ basecoin.Handler = OKHandler{}
@@ -116,7 +117,8 @@ func (ok OKHandler) DeliverTx(ctx basecoin.Context, store state.SimpleDB, tx bas
 
 // EchoHandler returns success, echoing res.Data = tx bytes
 type EchoHandler struct {
-	basecoin.NopOption
+	basecoin.NopInitState
+	basecoin.NopInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ basecoin.Handler = EchoHandler{}
@@ -141,7 +143,8 @@ func (EchoHandler) DeliverTx(ctx basecoin.Context, store state.SimpleDB, tx base
 // FailHandler always returns an error
 type FailHandler struct {
 	Err error
-	basecoin.NopOption
+	basecoin.NopInitState
+	basecoin.NopInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ basecoin.Handler = FailHandler{}
@@ -165,7 +168,8 @@ func (f FailHandler) DeliverTx(ctx basecoin.Context, store state.SimpleDB, tx ba
 type PanicHandler struct {
 	Msg string
 	Err error
-	basecoin.NopOption
+	basecoin.NopInitState
+	basecoin.NopInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ basecoin.Handler = PanicHandler{}
@@ -193,7 +197,8 @@ func (p PanicHandler) DeliverTx(ctx basecoin.Context, store state.SimpleDB, tx b
 
 // CheckHandler accepts CheckTx and verifies the permissions
 type CheckHandler struct {
-	basecoin.NopOption
+	basecoin.NopInitState
+	basecoin.NopInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ basecoin.Handler = CheckHandler{}
diff --git a/stack/helperware.go b/stack/helperware.go
index 6fd2078a31..003b1156b7 100644
--- a/stack/helperware.go
+++ b/stack/helperware.go
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ const (
 // Required Actor, otherwise passes along the call untouched
 type CheckMiddleware struct {
 	Required basecoin.Actor
-	PassOption
+	PassInitState
+	PassInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ Middleware = CheckMiddleware{}
@@ -42,7 +43,8 @@ func (p CheckMiddleware) DeliverTx(ctx basecoin.Context, store state.SimpleDB, t
 // GrantMiddleware tries to set the permission to this Actor, which may be prohibited
 type GrantMiddleware struct {
 	Auth basecoin.Actor
-	PassOption
+	PassInitState
+	PassInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ Middleware = GrantMiddleware{}
diff --git a/stack/interface.go b/stack/interface.go
index 173e61d143..35fe35e8df 100644
--- a/stack/interface.go
+++ b/stack/interface.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 package stack
 
 import (
+	abci "github.com/tendermint/abci/types"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tmlibs/log"
 
 	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin"
@@ -15,7 +16,8 @@ import (
 type Middleware interface {
 	CheckerMiddle
 	DeliverMiddle
-	InitStateMiddle
+	InitStaterMiddle
+	InitValidaterMiddle
 	basecoin.Named
 }
 
@@ -45,19 +47,31 @@ func (d DeliverMiddleFunc) DeliverTx(ctx basecoin.Context, store state.SimpleDB,
 	return d(ctx, store, tx, next)
 }
 
-type InitStateMiddle interface {
+type InitStaterMiddle interface {
 	InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, module,
 		key, value string, next basecoin.InitStater) (string, error)
 }
 
-type InitStateMiddleFunc func(log.Logger, state.SimpleDB,
+type InitStaterMiddleFunc func(log.Logger, state.SimpleDB,
 	string, string, string, basecoin.InitStater) (string, error)
 
-func (c InitStateMiddleFunc) InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB,
+func (c InitStaterMiddleFunc) InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB,
 	module, key, value string, next basecoin.InitStater) (string, error) {
 	return c(l, store, module, key, value, next)
 }
 
+type InitValidaterMiddle interface {
+	InitValidate(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, vals []*abci.Validator, next basecoin.InitValidater)
+}
+
+type InitValidaterMiddleFunc func(log.Logger, state.SimpleDB,
+	[]*abci.Validator, basecoin.InitValidater)
+
+func (c InitValidaterMiddleFunc) InitValidate(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB,
+	vals []*abci.Validator, next basecoin.InitValidater) {
+	c(l, store, vals, next)
+}
+
 // holders
 type PassCheck struct{}
 
@@ -73,18 +87,18 @@ func (_ PassDeliver) DeliverTx(ctx basecoin.Context, store state.SimpleDB,
 	return next.DeliverTx(ctx, store, tx)
 }
 
-type PassOption struct{}
+type PassInitState struct{}
 
-func (_ PassOption) InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, module,
+func (_ PassInitState) InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, module,
 	key, value string, next basecoin.InitStater) (string, error) {
 	return next.InitState(l, store, module, key, value)
 }
 
-type NopOption struct{}
+type PassInitValidate struct{}
 
-func (_ NopOption) InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, module,
-	key, value string, next basecoin.InitStater) (string, error) {
-	return "", nil
+func (_ PassInitValidate) InitValidate(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB,
+	vals []*abci.Validator, next basecoin.InitValidater) {
+	next.InitValidate(l, store, vals)
 }
 
 // Dispatchable is like middleware, except the meaning of "next" is different.
@@ -126,3 +140,8 @@ func (w wrapped) InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB,
 	module, key, value string, _ basecoin.InitStater) (string, error) {
 	return w.h.InitState(l, store, module, key, value)
 }
+
+func (w wrapped) InitValidate(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB,
+	vals []*abci.Validator, next basecoin.InitValidater) {
+	w.h.InitValidate(l, store, vals)
+}
diff --git a/stack/middleware.go b/stack/middleware.go
index 4ba29a2023..ebd2a4bba4 100644
--- a/stack/middleware.go
+++ b/stack/middleware.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package stack
 
 import (
+	abci "github.com/tendermint/abci/types"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tmlibs/log"
 
 	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin"
@@ -59,6 +60,12 @@ func (m *middleware) InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, module, key,
 	return m.middleware.InitState(l, store, module, key, value, m.next)
 }
 
+func (m *middleware) InitValidate(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, vals []*abci.Validator) {
+	// set the namespace for the app
+	store = stateSpace(store, m.space)
+	m.middleware.InitValidate(l, store, vals, m.next)
+}
+
 // builder is used to associate info with the middleware, so we can build
 // it properly
 type builder struct {
diff --git a/stack/recovery.go b/stack/recovery.go
index e5b986ef27..cbf9d2d49f 100644
--- a/stack/recovery.go
+++ b/stack/recovery.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package stack
 import (
 	"fmt"
 
+	abci "github.com/tendermint/abci/types"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tmlibs/log"
 
 	"github.com/tendermint/basecoin"
@@ -55,6 +56,21 @@ func (Recovery) InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, module, key, value
 	return next.InitState(l, store, module, key, value)
 }
 
+// InitValidate catches any panic and logs it
+// TODO: return an error???
+func (Recovery) InitValidate(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB,
+	vals []*abci.Validator, next basecoin.InitValidater) {
+
+	defer func() {
+		if r := recover(); r != nil {
+			// TODO: return an error???
+			err := normalizePanic(r)
+			l.With("err", err).Error(err.Error())
+		}
+	}()
+	next.InitValidate(l, store, vals)
+}
+
 // normalizePanic makes sure we can get a nice TMError (with stack) out of it
 func normalizePanic(p interface{}) error {
 	if err, isErr := p.(error); isErr {
diff --git a/stack/state_space_test.go b/stack/state_space_test.go
index b18671106d..8f9d302e37 100644
--- a/stack/state_space_test.go
+++ b/stack/state_space_test.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import (
 type writerMid struct {
 	name       string
 	key, value []byte
+	PassInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ Middleware = writerMid{}
@@ -41,10 +42,11 @@ func (w writerMid) InitState(l log.Logger, store state.SimpleDB, module,
 	return next.InitState(l, store, module, key, value)
 }
 
-// writerHand is a middleware that writes the given bytes on CheckTx and DeliverTx
+// writerHand is a handler that writes the given bytes on CheckTx and DeliverTx
 type writerHand struct {
 	name       string
 	key, value []byte
+	basecoin.NopInitValidate
 }
 
 var _ basecoin.Handler = writerHand{}
@@ -76,9 +78,9 @@ func TestStateSpace(t *testing.T) {
 		expected []data.Bytes
 	}{
 		{
-			writerHand{"foo", []byte{1, 2}, []byte("bar")},
+			writerHand{name: "foo", key: []byte{1, 2}, value: []byte("bar")},
 			[]Middleware{
-				writerMid{"bing", []byte{1, 2}, []byte("bang")},
+				writerMid{name: "bing", key: []byte{1, 2}, value: []byte("bang")},
 			},
 			[]data.Bytes{
 				{'f', 'o', 'o', 0, 1, 2},