diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 8b346f4509..270bd52b21 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -12436,11 +12436,11 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-BN6fiTsxcd2dCECz/cHtGTt9cdLJR925nh7iAuRcj8ymKw7OOaPmCneQZ7JePOJ/ia27TjEL91VdOi88Yf+mcA=="
     },
     "node_modules/rustbn-wasm": {
-      "version": "0.2.0",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/rustbn-wasm/-/rustbn-wasm-0.2.0.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-FThvYFNTqrEKGqXuseeg0zR7yROh/6U1617mCHF68OVqrN1tNKRN7Tdwy4WayPVsCmmK+eMxtIZX1qL6JxTkMg==",
+      "version": "0.4.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/rustbn-wasm/-/rustbn-wasm-0.4.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-C2ujvPv05hXC69MD7YwSsoUEsT/X/dKHkkgwN9B0ZTgb0OXDC9yaHhE6Pq+uaRAzMyW0Y97bwc4JO4cqPDzVuQ==",
       "dependencies": {
-        "@scure/base": "^1.1.1"
+        "@scure/base": "^1.1.5"
       }
     },
     "node_modules/rxjs": {
@@ -16051,7 +16051,7 @@
         "@types/debug": "^4.1.9",
         "debug": "^4.3.3",
         "ethereum-cryptography": "^2.1.3",
-        "rustbn-wasm": "^0.2.0"
+        "rustbn-wasm": "^0.4.0"
       },
       "devDependencies": {
         "@ethersproject/abi": "^5.0.12",
@@ -16118,7 +16118,8 @@
       "devDependencies": {
         "@ethereumjs/block": "^5.1.1",
         "@ethereumjs/genesis": "^0.2.1",
-        "@types/debug": "^4.1.9"
+        "@types/debug": "^4.1.9",
+        "rustbn-wasm": "^0.4.0"
       }
     },
     "packages/trie": {
@@ -16215,7 +16216,8 @@
         "@ethereumjs/tx": "^5.2.1",
         "@ethereumjs/util": "^9.0.2",
         "debug": "^4.3.3",
-        "ethereum-cryptography": "^2.1.3"
+        "ethereum-cryptography": "^2.1.3",
+        "rustbn-wasm": "^0.4.0"
       },
       "devDependencies": {
         "@ethersproject/abi": "^5.0.12",
diff --git a/packages/evm/examples/browser.html b/packages/evm/examples/browser.html
index 74f74829de..586f5f4561 100644
--- a/packages/evm/examples/browser.html
+++ b/packages/evm/examples/browser.html
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
             const stateManager = new DefaultStateManager()
             const blockchain = await Blockchain.create()
 
-            const evm = new EVM({
+            const evm = await EVM.create({
                 common,
                 stateManager,
                 blockchain,
diff --git a/packages/evm/examples/eips.ts b/packages/evm/examples/eips.ts
index 212609e907..91c15891d0 100644
--- a/packages/evm/examples/eips.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/examples/eips.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 import { Chain, Common } from '@ethereumjs/common'
 import { EVM } from '@ethereumjs/evm'
 
-const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, eips: [3074] })
-const evm = new EVM({ common })
-console.log(`EIP 3074 is active - ${evm.common.isActivatedEIP(3074)}`)
+const main = async () => {
+  const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, eips: [3074] })
+  const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
+  console.log(`EIP 3074 is active - ${evm.common.isActivatedEIP(3074)}`)
+}
+
+main()
diff --git a/packages/evm/examples/runCode.ts b/packages/evm/examples/runCode.ts
index 84dd2bbf38..6cdc1da404 100644
--- a/packages/evm/examples/runCode.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/examples/runCode.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ const main = async () => {
   const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.London })
   const blockchain = await Blockchain.create()
 
-  const evm = new EVM({
+  const evm = await EVM.create({
     common,
     blockchain,
   })
diff --git a/packages/evm/examples/simple.ts b/packages/evm/examples/simple.ts
index 46bdeaa094..59eb453ae1 100644
--- a/packages/evm/examples/simple.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/examples/simple.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import { hexToBytes } from '@ethereumjs/util'
 import { EVM } from '@ethereumjs/evm'
 
-const evm = new EVM()
 const main = async () => {
+  const evm = await EVM.create({})
   const res = await evm.runCode({ code: hexToBytes('0x6001') }) // PUSH1 01 -- simple bytecode to push 1 onto the stack
   console.log(res.executionGasUsed) // 3n
 }
diff --git a/packages/evm/examples/withBlockchain.ts b/packages/evm/examples/withBlockchain.ts
index bba6cca754..de4acf19a6 100644
--- a/packages/evm/examples/withBlockchain.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/examples/withBlockchain.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ const main = async () => {
   const stateManager = new DefaultStateManager()
   const blockchain = await Blockchain.create()
 
-  const evm = new EVM({
+  const evm = await EVM.create({
     common,
     stateManager,
     blockchain,
diff --git a/packages/evm/package.json b/packages/evm/package.json
index 856deb0b8c..0d501de348 100644
--- a/packages/evm/package.json
+++ b/packages/evm/package.json
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
     "@types/debug": "^4.1.9",
     "debug": "^4.3.3",
     "ethereum-cryptography": "^2.1.3",
-    "rustbn-wasm": "^0.2.0"
+    "rustbn-wasm": "^0.4.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@ethersproject/abi": "^5.0.12",
diff --git a/packages/evm/src/evm.ts b/packages/evm/src/evm.ts
index 9209e5d585..8ebe7ce637 100644
--- a/packages/evm/src/evm.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/src/evm.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import {
   zeros,
 } from '@ethereumjs/util'
 import debugDefault from 'debug'
+import { initRustBN } from 'rustbn-wasm'
 
 import { EOF, getEOFCode } from './eof.js'
 import { ERROR, EvmError } from './exceptions.js'
@@ -137,7 +138,24 @@ export class EVM implements EVMInterface {
 
   protected readonly _emit: (topic: string, data: any) => Promise<void>
 
-  constructor(opts: EVMOpts = {}) {
+  private bn128: {
+    ec_pairing: (input_str: string) => string
+    ec_add: (input_str: string) => string
+    ec_mul: (input_hex: string) => string
+  }
+
+  static async create(createOpts?: EVMOpts) {
+    const opts = createOpts ?? ({} as EVMOpts)
+    if (opts?.bn128 === undefined) {
+      opts.bn128 = await initRustBN()
+    }
+    return new EVM(opts)
+  }
+  constructor(opts: EVMOpts) {
+    if (opts.bn128 === undefined) {
+      throw new Error('rustbn not provided')
+    }
+    this.bn128 = opts.bn128 // Required to instantiate the EVM
     this.events = new AsyncEventEmitter()
 
     this._optsCached = opts
@@ -1079,6 +1097,7 @@ export class EVM implements EVMInterface {
       ...this._optsCached,
       common,
       stateManager: this.stateManager.shallowCopy(),
+      bn128: this.bn128,
     }
     ;(opts.stateManager as any).common = common
     return new EVM(opts)
diff --git a/packages/evm/src/index.ts b/packages/evm/src/index.ts
index 44307e91b0..500d727b1a 100644
--- a/packages/evm/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/src/index.ts
@@ -11,8 +11,10 @@ import {
   EVMRunCodeOpts,
   ExecResult,
   Log,
+  bn128,
 } from './types.js'
 export {
+  bn128,
   EOF,
   EVM,
   EvmError,
diff --git a/packages/evm/src/precompiles/06-ecadd.ts b/packages/evm/src/precompiles/06-ecadd.ts
index e32ae9b148..90f79198cc 100644
--- a/packages/evm/src/precompiles/06-ecadd.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/src/precompiles/06-ecadd.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import { bytesToHex, bytesToUnprefixedHex, hexToBytes, short } from '@ethereumjs/util'
-import { ec_add } from 'rustbn-wasm'
 
 import { OOGResult } from '../evm.js'
 
+import type { EVM } from '../evm.js'
 import type { ExecResult } from '../types.js'
 import type { PrecompileInput } from './types.js'
 
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export function precompile06(opts: PrecompileInput): ExecResult {
     return OOGResult(opts.gasLimit)
   }
 
-  const returnData = hexToBytes(ec_add(inputData))
+  const returnData = hexToBytes((opts._EVM as EVM)['bn128'].ec_add(inputData))
 
   // check ecadd success or failure by comparing the output length
   if (returnData.length !== 64) {
diff --git a/packages/evm/src/precompiles/07-ecmul.ts b/packages/evm/src/precompiles/07-ecmul.ts
index f3cce6967f..bfcead0e3c 100644
--- a/packages/evm/src/precompiles/07-ecmul.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/src/precompiles/07-ecmul.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import { bytesToHex, bytesToUnprefixedHex, hexToBytes, short } from '@ethereumjs/util'
-import { ec_mul } from 'rustbn-wasm'
 
 import { OOGResult } from '../evm.js'
 
+import type { EVM } from '../evm.js'
 import type { ExecResult } from '../types.js'
 import type { PrecompileInput } from './types.js'
 
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export function precompile07(opts: PrecompileInput): ExecResult {
     return OOGResult(opts.gasLimit)
   }
 
-  const returnData = hexToBytes(ec_mul(inputData))
+  const returnData = hexToBytes((opts._EVM as EVM)['bn128'].ec_mul(inputData))
 
   // check ecmul success or failure by comparing the output length
   if (returnData.length !== 64) {
diff --git a/packages/evm/src/precompiles/08-ecpairing.ts b/packages/evm/src/precompiles/08-ecpairing.ts
index 391d5759df..ce49470035 100644
--- a/packages/evm/src/precompiles/08-ecpairing.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/src/precompiles/08-ecpairing.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import { bytesToHex, bytesToUnprefixedHex, hexToBytes, short } from '@ethereumjs/util'
-import { ec_pairing } from 'rustbn-wasm'
 
 import { OOGResult } from '../evm.js'
 
+import type { EVM } from '../evm.js'
 import type { ExecResult } from '../types.js'
 import type { PrecompileInput } from './types.js'
 
@@ -28,7 +28,9 @@ export function precompile08(opts: PrecompileInput): ExecResult {
     return OOGResult(opts.gasLimit)
   }
 
-  const returnData = hexToBytes(ec_pairing(bytesToUnprefixedHex(inputData)))
+  const returnData = hexToBytes(
+    (opts._EVM as EVM)['bn128'].ec_pairing(bytesToUnprefixedHex(inputData))
+  )
 
   // check ecpairing success or failure by comparing the output length
   if (returnData.length !== 32) {
diff --git a/packages/evm/src/types.ts b/packages/evm/src/types.ts
index a1ded58239..037009b1f1 100644
--- a/packages/evm/src/types.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/src/types.ts
@@ -172,6 +172,14 @@ export type EVMProfilerOpts = {
  * Options for instantiating a {@link EVM}.
  */
 export interface EVMOpts {
+  /**
+   * The BN128 curve package (`rustbn-wasm`)
+   */
+  bn128?: {
+    ec_pairing: (input_str: string) => string
+    ec_add: (input_str: string) => string
+    ec_mul: (input_hex: string) => string
+  }
   /**
    * Use a {@link Common} instance for EVM instantiation.
    *
@@ -380,3 +388,12 @@ export class DefaultBlockchain implements Blockchain {
     return this
   }
 }
+
+/**
+ * The BN128 curve package (`rustbn-wasm`)
+ */
+export interface bn128 {
+  ec_pairing: (input_str: string) => string
+  ec_add: (input_str: string) => string
+  ec_mul: (input_hex: string) => string
+}
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/asyncEvents.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/asyncEvents.spec.ts
index 6b2676e87b..88972a567e 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/asyncEvents.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/asyncEvents.spec.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ describe('async events', () => {
   it('should work', async () => {
     const caller = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ee'))
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Constantinople })
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common,
     })
     evm.events.on('step', async (event, next) => {
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/blobVersionedHashes.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/blobVersionedHashes.spec.ts
index dec3f02b92..9ce0731e39 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/blobVersionedHashes.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/blobVersionedHashes.spec.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ describe('BLOBHASH / access blobVersionedHashes in calldata', () => {
       chain: 'custom',
       hardfork: Hardfork.Cancun,
     })
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common,
     })
 
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ describe(`BLOBHASH: access blobVersionedHashes within contract calls`, () => {
       chain: 'custom',
       hardfork: Hardfork.Cancun,
     })
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common,
     })
 
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ describe(`BLOBHASH: access blobVersionedHashes in a CREATE/CREATE2 frame`, () =>
       chain: 'custom',
       hardfork: Hardfork.Cancun,
     })
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common,
     })
 
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/customCrypto.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/customCrypto.spec.ts
index 815331039f..43a3a5a5d1 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/customCrypto.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/customCrypto.spec.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ describe('custom crypto', () => {
     }
     const msg = Uint8Array.from([0, 1, 2, 3])
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, customCrypto })
-    const evm = new EVM({ common })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     const addressStr = '0000000000000000000000000000000000000002'
     const SHA256 = getActivePrecompiles(common).get(addressStr)!
     const result = await SHA256({
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ describe('custom crypto', () => {
     }
     const msg = concatBytes(randomBytes(32), setLengthLeft(intToBytes(27), 32), randomBytes(32))
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, customCrypto })
-    const evm = new EVM({ common })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     const addressStr = '0000000000000000000000000000000000000001'
     const ECRECOVER = getActivePrecompiles(common).get(addressStr)!
     const result = await ECRECOVER({
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/customOpcodes.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/customOpcodes.spec.ts
index 49fb1eacfc..47fadaf36a 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/customOpcodes.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/customOpcodes.spec.ts
@@ -25,9 +25,7 @@ describe('VM: custom opcodes', () => {
   }
 
   it('should add custom opcodes to the EVM', async () => {
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      customOpcodes: [testOpcode],
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ customOpcodes: [testOpcode] })
     const gas = 123456
     let correctOpcodeName = false
     evm.events.on('step', (e: InterpreterStep) => {
@@ -45,7 +43,7 @@ describe('VM: custom opcodes', () => {
   })
 
   it('should delete opcodes from the EVM', async () => {
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       customOpcodes: [{ opcode: 0x20 }], // deletes KECCAK opcode
     })
     const gas = BigInt(123456)
@@ -59,7 +57,7 @@ describe('VM: custom opcodes', () => {
   it('should not override default opcodes', async () => {
     // This test ensures that always the original opcode map is used
     // Thus, each time you recreate a EVM, it is in a clean state
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       customOpcodes: [{ opcode: 0x01 }], // deletes ADD opcode
     })
     const gas = BigInt(123456)
@@ -69,7 +67,7 @@ describe('VM: custom opcodes', () => {
     })
     assert.ok(res.executionGasUsed === gas, 'successfully deleted opcode')
 
-    const evmDefault = new EVM({})
+    const evmDefault = await EVM.create({})
 
     // PUSH 04
     // PUSH 01
@@ -88,9 +86,7 @@ describe('VM: custom opcodes', () => {
 
   it('should override opcodes in the EVM', async () => {
     testOpcode.opcode = 0x20 // Overrides KECCAK
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      customOpcodes: [testOpcode],
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ customOpcodes: [testOpcode] })
     const gas = 123456
     const res = await evm.runCode({
       code: hexToBytes('0x20'),
@@ -113,9 +109,7 @@ describe('VM: custom opcodes', () => {
       },
     }
 
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      customOpcodes: [testOpcode],
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ customOpcodes: [testOpcode] })
     evm.events.on('beforeMessage', () => {})
     evm.events.on('beforeMessage', () => {})
     const evmCopy = evm.shallowCopy()
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/customPrecompiles.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/customPrecompiles.spec.ts
index 9c06d6fa5b..4d92051213 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/customPrecompiles.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/customPrecompiles.spec.ts
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ function customPrecompileNoInput(): ExecResult {
 
 describe('EVM -> custom precompiles', () => {
   it('should work on precompiles without input arguments', async () => {
-    const EVMOverride = new EVM({
+    const EVMOverride = await EVM.create({
       customPrecompiles: [
         {
           address: Address.zero(),
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ describe('EVM -> custom precompiles', () => {
     assert.equal(result.execResult.executionGasUsed, expectedGas, 'gas used is correct')
   })
   it('should override existing precompiles', async () => {
-    const EVMOverride = new EVM({
+    const EVMOverride = await EVM.create({
       customPrecompiles: [
         {
           address: shaAddress,
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ describe('EVM -> custom precompiles', () => {
   })
 
   it('should delete existing precompiles', async () => {
-    const EVMOverride = new EVM({
+    const EVMOverride = await EVM.create({
       customPrecompiles: [
         {
           address: shaAddress,
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ describe('EVM -> custom precompiles', () => {
   })
 
   it('should add precompiles', async () => {
-    const EVMOverride = new EVM({
+    const EVMOverride = await EVM.create({
       customPrecompiles: [
         {
           address: newPrecompile,
@@ -104,14 +104,14 @@ describe('EVM -> custom precompiles', () => {
   })
 
   it('should not persist changes to precompiles', async () => {
-    let EVMSha = new EVM()
+    let EVMSha = await EVM.create({})
     const shaResult = await EVMSha.runCall({
       to: shaAddress,
       gasLimit: BigInt(30000),
       data: hexToBytes('0x'),
       caller: sender,
     })
-    const EVMOverride = new EVM({
+    const EVMOverride = await EVM.create({
       customPrecompiles: [
         {
           address: shaAddress,
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ describe('EVM -> custom precompiles', () => {
     // sanity: check we have overridden
     assert.deepEqual(result.execResult.returnValue, expectedReturn, 'return value is correct')
     assert.ok(result.execResult.executionGasUsed === expectedGas, 'gas used is correct')
-    EVMSha = new EVM()
+    EVMSha = await EVM.create({})
     const shaResult2 = await EVMSha.runCall({
       to: shaAddress,
       gasLimit: BigInt(30000),
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ describe('EVM -> custom precompiles', () => {
     )
   })
   it('shold copy custom precompiles', async () => {
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       customPrecompiles: [
         {
           address: shaAddress,
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/eips/eip-3860.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/eips/eip-3860.spec.ts
index 3ef3cc0337..c888a883e2 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/eips/eip-3860.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/eips/eip-3860.spec.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ describe('EIP 3860 tests', () => {
       hardfork: Hardfork.London,
       eips: [3860],
     })
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common,
       stateManager: new DefaultStateManager(),
     })
@@ -56,11 +56,11 @@ describe('EIP 3860 tests', () => {
       eips: [],
     })
     const caller = Address.fromString('0xa94f5374fce5edbc8e2a8697c15331677e6ebf0b')
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common: commonWith3860,
       stateManager: new DefaultStateManager(),
     })
-    const evmWithout3860 = new EVM({
+    const evmWithout3860 = await EVM.create({
       common: commonWithout3860,
       stateManager: new DefaultStateManager(),
     })
@@ -102,11 +102,11 @@ describe('EIP 3860 tests', () => {
       eips: [],
     })
     const caller = Address.fromString('0xa94f5374fce5edbc8e2a8697c15331677e6ebf0b')
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common: commonWith3860,
       stateManager: new DefaultStateManager(),
     })
-    const evmWithout3860 = new EVM({
+    const evmWithout3860 = await EVM.create({
       common: commonWithout3860,
       stateManager: new DefaultStateManager(),
     })
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ describe('EIP 3860 tests', () => {
       hardfork: Hardfork.London,
       eips: [3860],
     })
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common,
       stateManager: new DefaultStateManager(),
 
@@ -177,13 +177,13 @@ describe('EIP 3860 tests', () => {
     })
     const caller = Address.fromString('0xa94f5374fce5edbc8e2a8697c15331677e6ebf0b')
     for (const code of ['F0', 'F5']) {
-      const evm = new EVM({
+      const evm = await EVM.create({
         common: commonWith3860,
         stateManager: new DefaultStateManager(),
 
         allowUnlimitedInitCodeSize: true,
       })
-      const evmDisabled = new EVM({
+      const evmDisabled = await EVM.create({
         common: commonWith3860,
         stateManager: new DefaultStateManager(),
 
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/eips/eip-5656.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/eips/eip-5656.spec.ts
index 001de857da..e454808507 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/eips/eip-5656.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/eips/eip-5656.spec.ts
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ describe('should test mcopy', () => {
         eips: [5656],
       })
 
-      const evm = new EVM({
+      const evm = await EVM.create({
         common,
       })
 
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/opcodes.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/opcodes.spec.ts
index f36d12f78c..b4ff6d3b45 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/opcodes.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/opcodes.spec.ts
@@ -10,9 +10,7 @@ describe('EVM -> getActiveOpcodes()', () => {
 
   it('should not expose opcodes from a follow-up HF (istanbul -> petersburg)', async () => {
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Petersburg })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     assert.equal(
       evm.getActiveOpcodes().get(CHAINID),
       undefined,
@@ -22,9 +20,7 @@ describe('EVM -> getActiveOpcodes()', () => {
 
   it('should expose opcodes when HF is active (>= istanbul)', async () => {
     let common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul })
-    let evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    let evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     assert.equal(
       evm.getActiveOpcodes().get(CHAINID)!.name,
       'CHAINID',
@@ -32,9 +28,7 @@ describe('EVM -> getActiveOpcodes()', () => {
     )
 
     common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.MuirGlacier })
-    evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     assert.equal(
       evm.getActiveOpcodes().get(CHAINID)!.name,
       'CHAINID',
@@ -44,9 +38,7 @@ describe('EVM -> getActiveOpcodes()', () => {
 
   it('should switch DIFFICULTY opcode name to PREVRANDAO when >= Merge HF', async () => {
     let common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul })
-    let evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    let evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     assert.equal(
       evm.getActiveOpcodes().get(DIFFICULTY_PREVRANDAO)!.name,
       'DIFFICULTY',
@@ -54,9 +46,7 @@ describe('EVM -> getActiveOpcodes()', () => {
     )
 
     common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Paris })
-    evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     assert.equal(
       evm.getActiveOpcodes().get(DIFFICULTY_PREVRANDAO)!.name,
       'PREVRANDAO',
@@ -66,9 +56,7 @@ describe('EVM -> getActiveOpcodes()', () => {
 
   it('should expose opcodes when EIP is active', async () => {
     let common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul, eips: [2315] })
-    let evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    let evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     assert.equal(
       evm.getActiveOpcodes().get(BEGINSUB)!.name,
       'BEGINSUB',
@@ -76,9 +64,7 @@ describe('EVM -> getActiveOpcodes()', () => {
     )
 
     common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul })
-    evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     assert.equal(
       evm.getActiveOpcodes().get(BEGINSUB),
       undefined,
@@ -88,9 +74,7 @@ describe('EVM -> getActiveOpcodes()', () => {
 
   it('should update opcodes on a hardfork change', async () => {
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
 
     common.setHardfork(Hardfork.Byzantium)
     assert.equal(
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/01-ecrecover.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/01-ecrecover.spec.ts
index c72f25e056..977d205ff1 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/01-ecrecover.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/01-ecrecover.spec.ts
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ describe('Precompiles: ECRECOVER', () => {
     // Test reference: https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/issues/3731#issuecomment-293866868
 
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Petersburg })
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common,
     })
     const addressStr = '0000000000000000000000000000000000000001'
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/03-ripemd160.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/03-ripemd160.spec.ts
index 6c08c98d6e..96859bd65e 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/03-ripemd160.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/03-ripemd160.spec.ts
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ describe('Precompiles: RIPEMD160', () => {
     // Test reference: https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/blob/e206d3f8975bd98cc86d14055dca40f996bacc60/core/vm/contracts_test.go#L217
 
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Petersburg })
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common,
     })
     const addressStr = '0000000000000000000000000000000000000003'
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/05-modexp.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/05-modexp.spec.ts
index 8e63eb044c..967a5f4be3 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/05-modexp.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/05-modexp.spec.ts
@@ -1,20 +1,27 @@
 import { Chain, Common } from '@ethereumjs/common'
 import { bytesToHex, hexToBytes } from '@ethereumjs/util'
-import { assert, describe, it } from 'vitest'
+import { assert, beforeAll, describe, it } from 'vitest'
 
 import { EVM, getActivePrecompiles } from '../../src/index.js'
 
 import fuzzer from './modexp-testdata.json'
 
+import type { PrecompileFunc } from '../../src/precompiles/types.js'
+
 const fuzzerTests = fuzzer.data
 describe('Precompiles: MODEXP', () => {
-  const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet })
-  const evm = new EVM({
-    common,
+  let common: Common
+  let evm: EVM
+  let addressStr: string
+  let MODEXP: PrecompileFunc
+  beforeAll(async () => {
+    common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet })
+    evm = await EVM.create({
+      common,
+    })
+    addressStr = '0000000000000000000000000000000000000005'
+    MODEXP = getActivePrecompiles(common).get(addressStr)!
   })
-  const addressStr = '0000000000000000000000000000000000000005'
-  const MODEXP = getActivePrecompiles(common).get(addressStr)!
-
   it('should run testdata', async () => {
     let n = 0
     for (const [input, expect] of fuzzerTests) {
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/06-ecadd.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/06-ecadd.spec.ts
index d619ae18e5..0a7b597311 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/06-ecadd.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/06-ecadd.spec.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import { EVM, getActivePrecompiles } from '../../src/index.js'
 describe('Precompiles: ECADD', () => {
   it('ECADD', async () => {
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Petersburg })
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common,
     })
     const addressStr = '0000000000000000000000000000000000000006'
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/07-ecmul.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/07-ecmul.spec.ts
index 957c7fe203..4e4f088f5e 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/07-ecmul.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/07-ecmul.spec.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import { EVM, getActivePrecompiles } from '../../src/index.js'
 describe('Precompiles: ECMUL', () => {
   it('ECMUL', async () => {
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Petersburg })
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common,
     })
     const ECMUL = getActivePrecompiles(common).get('0000000000000000000000000000000000000007')!
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/08-ecpairing.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/08-ecpairing.spec.ts
index d17aa65495..a5163d0d5f 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/08-ecpairing.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/08-ecpairing.spec.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import { EVM, getActivePrecompiles } from '../../src/index.js'
 describe('Precompiles: ECPAIRING', () => {
   it('ECPAIRING', async () => {
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Petersburg })
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common,
     })
     const addressStr = '0000000000000000000000000000000000000008'
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/09-blake2f.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/09-blake2f.spec.ts
index 2cdbb031ff..8a020973f0 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/09-blake2f.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/09-blake2f.spec.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 import { Chain, Common, Hardfork } from '@ethereumjs/common'
 import { Address, bytesToHex, hexToBytes } from '@ethereumjs/util'
-import { assert, describe, it } from 'vitest'
+import { assert, beforeAll, describe, it } from 'vitest'
 
 import { EVM, getActivePrecompiles } from '../../src/index.js'
 
+import type { PrecompileFunc } from '../../src/precompiles/types.js'
+
 const validCases = [
   {
     input:
@@ -74,15 +76,21 @@ const malformedCases = [
 ]
 
 describe('Precompiles: BLAKE2F', () => {
-  const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul })
-  // Test references: https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/blob/e206d3f8975bd98cc86d14055dca40f996bacc60/core/vm/testdata/precompiles/blake2F.json
-  //                  https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/blob/e206d3f8975bd98cc86d14055dca40f996bacc60/core/vm/contracts_test.go#L73
+  let evm: EVM
+  let common: Common
+  let addressStr: string
+  let BLAKE2F: PrecompileFunc
+  beforeAll(async () => {
+    common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul })
+    // Test references: https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/blob/e206d3f8975bd98cc86d14055dca40f996bacc60/core/vm/testdata/precompiles/blake2F.json
+    //                  https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/blob/e206d3f8975bd98cc86d14055dca40f996bacc60/core/vm/contracts_test.go#L73
 
-  const evm = new EVM({
-    common,
+    evm = await EVM.create({
+      common,
+    })
+    addressStr = '0000000000000000000000000000000000000009'
+    BLAKE2F = getActivePrecompiles(common).get(addressStr)!
   })
-  const addressStr = '0000000000000000000000000000000000000009'
-  const BLAKE2F = getActivePrecompiles(common).get(addressStr)!
 
   for (const t of validCases) {
     it(`BLAKE2F valid cases: ${t.name}`, async () => {
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/0a-pointevaluation.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/0a-pointevaluation.spec.ts
index 618990f995..38cac49425 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/0a-pointevaluation.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/0a-pointevaluation.spec.ts
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ describe('Precompiles: point evaluation', () => {
       customCrypto: { kzg },
     })
 
-    const evm = new EVM({
+    const evm = await EVM.create({
       common,
     })
     const addressStr = '000000000000000000000000000000000000000a'
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/hardfork.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/hardfork.spec.ts
index c2ac81786a..1027fed872 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/precompiles/hardfork.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/precompiles/hardfork.spec.ts
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ describe('Precompiles: hardfork availability', () => {
       assert.ok(true, 'ECPAIRING available in petersburg')
     }
 
-    let evm = new EVM({
+    let evm = await EVM.create({
       common: commonByzantium,
     })
     let result = await evm.runCall({
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ describe('Precompiles: hardfork availability', () => {
       assert.ok(true, 'ECPAIRING available in petersburg')
     }
 
-    evm = new EVM({
+    evm = await EVM.create({
       common: commonPetersburg,
     })
     result = await evm.runCall({
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ describe('Precompiles: hardfork availability', () => {
       assert.ok(true, 'ECPAIRING not available in homestead')
     }
 
-    evm = new EVM({
+    evm = await EVM.create({
       common: commonHomestead,
     })
 
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/runCall.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/runCall.spec.ts
index f2b0554aa6..8a4f659289 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/runCall.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/runCall.spec.ts
@@ -31,9 +31,7 @@ function create2address(sourceAddress: Address, codeHash: Uint8Array, salt: Uint
 describe('RunCall tests', () => {
   it('Create where FROM account nonce is 0', async () => {
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Constantinople })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     const res = await evm.runCall({ to: undefined })
     assert.equal(
       res.createdAddress?.toString(),
@@ -56,9 +54,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
     const contractAddress = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ff')) // contract address
     // setup the vm
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Constantinople })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     const code = '0x3460008080F560005260206000F3'
     /*
       code:             remarks: (top of the stack is at the zero index)
@@ -112,10 +108,10 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
     const caller = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ee')) // caller address
     const contractAddress = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ff')) // contract address
     // setup the evm
-    const evmByzantium = new EVM({
+    const evmByzantium = await EVM.create({
       common: new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Byzantium }),
     })
-    const evmConstantinople = new EVM({
+    const evmConstantinople = await EVM.create({
       common: new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Constantinople }),
     })
     const code = '0x600160011B00'
@@ -156,9 +152,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
     const address = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ff'))
     // setup the vm
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     const code = '0x61000260005561000160005500'
     /*
       idea: store the original value in the storage slot, except it is now a 1-length Uint8Array instead of a 32-length Uint8Array
@@ -207,9 +201,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
     const address = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ff'))
     // setup the vm
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Chainstart })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     // push 1 push 0 sstore stop
     const code = '0x600160015500'
 
@@ -234,9 +226,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
     const address = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ff'))
     // setup the vm
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Homestead })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     // code to call 0x00..00dd, which does not exist
     const code = '0x6000600060006000600060DD61FFFF5A03F100'
 
@@ -263,9 +253,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
     const address = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ff'))
     // setup the vm
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Homestead })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     // code to call back into the calling account (0x00..00EE),
     // but using too much memory
     const code = '0x61FFFF60FF60006000600060EE6000F200'
@@ -292,9 +280,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
     const address = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ff'))
     // setup the vm
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.TangerineWhistle })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     // code to call 0x00..00fe, with the GAS opcode used as gas
     // this cannot be paid, since we also have to pay for CALL (40 gas)
     // this should thus go OOG
@@ -322,9 +308,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
     const address = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ff'))
     // setup the vm
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Chainstart })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     // code to call 0x00..00fe, with the GAS opcode used as gas
     // this cannot be paid, since we also have to pay for CALL (40 gas)
     // this should thus go OOG
@@ -391,9 +375,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
     const emptyBytes = hexToBytes('0x')
     // setup the vm
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.London })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     const code = '0x60008080F060005500'
     /*
       This simple code tries to create an empty contract and then stores the address of the contract in the zero slot.
@@ -445,9 +427,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
     const caller = new Address(hexToBytes('0x1a02a619e51cc5f8a2a61d2a60f6c80476ee8ead')) // caller address
     // setup the vm
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.London })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
     const code = '0x3034526020600760203460045afa602034343e604034f3'
 
     const account = new Account()
@@ -476,9 +456,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
   it('Throws on negative call value', async () => {
     // setup the vm
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
 
     // setup the call arguments
     const runCallArgs = {
@@ -499,9 +477,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
 
   it('runCall() -> skipBalance behavior', async () => {
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Berlin })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
 
     // runCall against a contract to reach `_reduceSenderBalance`
     const contractCode = hexToBytes('0x00') // 00: STOP
@@ -545,9 +521,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
     const caller = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ee')) // caller address
     // setup the evm
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
 
     // setup the call arguments
     const runCallArgs = {
@@ -572,9 +546,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
       chain: 'custom',
       hardfork: Hardfork.Cancun,
     })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
 
     // setup the call arguments
     const runCallArgs: EVMRunCallOpts = {
@@ -611,9 +583,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
       chain: 'custom',
       hardfork: Hardfork.Cancun,
     })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
 
     const BLOBBASEFEE_OPCODE = 0x4a
     assert.equal(
@@ -643,9 +613,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
 
   it('step event: ensure EVM memory and not internal memory gets reported', async () => {
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Berlin })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
 
     const contractCode = hexToBytes('0x600060405200') // PUSH 0 PUSH 40 MSTORE STOP
     const contractAddress = Address.fromString('0x000000000000000000000000636F6E7472616374')
@@ -670,9 +638,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
 
   it('ensure code deposit errors are logged correctly (>= Homestead)', async () => {
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Berlin })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
 
     // Create a contract which is too large
     const runCallArgs = {
@@ -695,9 +661,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
 
   it('ensure code deposit errors are logged correctly (Frontier)', async () => {
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Chainstart })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
 
     // Create a contract which cannot pay the code deposit fee
     const runCallArgs = {
@@ -721,9 +685,7 @@ describe('RunCall tests', () => {
   it('ensure call and callcode handle gas stipend correctly', async () => {
     // See: https://github.com/ethereumjs/ethereumjs-monorepo/issues/3194
     const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Shanghai })
-    const evm = new EVM({
-      common,
-    })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common })
 
     for (const [opcode, gas, expectedOutput] of [
       ['f1', 36600, '0x'], // 36600 is CALL fee
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/runCode.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/runCode.spec.ts
index 6c004bfb87..de0f795fb5 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/runCode.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/runCode.spec.ts
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ const testCases = [
 
 describe('VM.runCode: initial program counter', () => {
   it('should work', async () => {
-    const evm = new EVM()
+    const evm = await EVM.create({})
 
     for (const [i, testData] of testCases.entries()) {
       const runCodeArgs = {
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ describe('VM.runCode: initial program counter', () => {
 
 describe('VM.runCode: interpreter', () => {
   it('should return a EvmError as an exceptionError on the result', async () => {
-    const evm = new EVM()
+    const evm = await EVM.create({})
 
     const INVALID_opcode = 'fe'
     const runCodeArgs = {
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ describe('VM.runCode: interpreter', () => {
   })
 
   it('should throw on non-EvmError', async () => {
-    const evm = new EVM()
+    const evm = await EVM.create({})
     // NOTE: due to now throwing on `getContractStorage` if account does not exist
     // this now means that if `runCode` is called and the address it runs on (default: zero address)
     // does not exist, then if SSTORE/SLOAD is used, the runCode will immediately fail because StateManager now throws
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ describe('VM.runCode: interpreter', () => {
 
 describe('VM.runCode: RunCodeOptions', () => {
   it('should throw on negative value args', async () => {
-    const evm = new EVM()
+    const evm = await EVM.create({})
 
     const runCodeArgs = {
       value: BigInt(-10),
diff --git a/packages/evm/test/stack.spec.ts b/packages/evm/test/stack.spec.ts
index 28531329e0..496b6bc413 100644
--- a/packages/evm/test/stack.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/evm/test/stack.spec.ts
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ describe('Stack', () => {
   it('stack items should not change if they are DUPed', async () => {
     const caller = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ee'))
     const addr = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ff'))
-    const evm = new EVM()
+    const evm = await EVM.create({})
     const account = createAccount(BigInt(0), BigInt(0))
     const code = '0x60008080808060013382F15060005260206000F3'
     const expectedReturnValue = setLengthLeft(bigIntToBytes(BigInt(0)), 32)
diff --git a/packages/statemanager/examples/evm.ts b/packages/statemanager/examples/evm.ts
index 8028169000..e9f98df61a 100644
--- a/packages/statemanager/examples/evm.ts
+++ b/packages/statemanager/examples/evm.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ const main = async () => {
     const blockchain = new RPCBlockChain(provider)
     const blockTag = 1n
     const state = new RPCStateManager({ provider, blockTag })
-    const evm = new EVM({ blockchain, stateManager: state }) // note that evm is ready to run BLOCKHASH opcodes (over RPC)
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ blockchain, stateManager: state }) // note that evm is ready to run BLOCKHASH opcodes (over RPC)
   } catch (e) {
     console.log(e.message) // fetch would fail because provider url is not real. please replace provider with a valid rpc url string.
   }
diff --git a/packages/statemanager/package.json b/packages/statemanager/package.json
index d3385cca68..3f473c1994 100644
--- a/packages/statemanager/package.json
+++ b/packages/statemanager/package.json
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@
   "devDependencies": {
     "@ethereumjs/block": "^5.1.1",
     "@ethereumjs/genesis": "^0.2.1",
-    "@types/debug": "^4.1.9"
+    "@types/debug": "^4.1.9",
+    "rustbn-wasm": "^0.4.0"
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/statemanager/test/rpcStateManager.spec.ts b/packages/statemanager/test/rpcStateManager.spec.ts
index 5ef33aa4a2..69a8bb7c0e 100644
--- a/packages/statemanager/test/rpcStateManager.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/statemanager/test/rpcStateManager.spec.ts
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ describe('blockchain', () =>
     const blockchain = new RPCBlockChain(provider)
     const blockTag = 1n
     const state = new RPCStateManager({ provider, blockTag })
-    const evm = new EVM({ blockchain, stateManager: state })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ blockchain, stateManager: state })
     // Bytecode for returning the blockhash of the block previous to `blockTag`
     const code = '0x600143034060005260206000F3'
     const contractAddress = new Address(hexToBytes('0x00000000000000000000000000000000000000ff'))
diff --git a/packages/vm/package.json b/packages/vm/package.json
index 16a54f3e57..63a63201dd 100644
--- a/packages/vm/package.json
+++ b/packages/vm/package.json
@@ -73,7 +73,8 @@
     "@ethereumjs/tx": "^5.2.1",
     "@ethereumjs/util": "^9.0.2",
     "debug": "^4.3.3",
-    "ethereum-cryptography": "^2.1.3"
+    "ethereum-cryptography": "^2.1.3",
+    "rustbn-wasm": "^0.4.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@ethersproject/abi": "^5.0.12",
diff --git a/packages/vm/src/types.ts b/packages/vm/src/types.ts
index 768774abd4..cc8dcb2444 100644
--- a/packages/vm/src/types.ts
+++ b/packages/vm/src/types.ts
@@ -153,6 +153,8 @@ export interface VMOpts {
   evm?: EVMInterface
 
   profilerOpts?: VMProfilerOpts
+
+  bn128?: any
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/packages/vm/src/vm.ts b/packages/vm/src/vm.ts
index 24bc48a8a5..c60a2a5b86 100644
--- a/packages/vm/src/vm.ts
+++ b/packages/vm/src/vm.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { Chain, Common } from '@ethereumjs/common'
 import { EVM, getActivePrecompiles } from '@ethereumjs/evm'
 import { DefaultStateManager } from '@ethereumjs/statemanager'
 import { Account, Address, AsyncEventEmitter, unprefixedHexToBytes } from '@ethereumjs/util'
+import { initRustBN } from 'rustbn-wasm'
 
 import { buildBlock } from './buildBlock.js'
 import { runBlock } from './runBlock.js'
@@ -77,7 +78,9 @@ export class VM {
    * @param opts VM engine constructor options
    */
   static async create(opts: VMOpts = {}): Promise<VM> {
+    if (opts.bn128 === undefined) opts.bn128 = await initRustBN()
     const vm = new this(opts)
+
     const genesisStateOpts =
       opts.stateManager === undefined && opts.genesisState === undefined
         ? { genesisState: {} }
@@ -141,6 +144,7 @@ export class VM {
         profiler: {
           enabled: enableProfiler,
         },
+        bn128: opts.bn128,
       })
     }
 
@@ -260,7 +264,7 @@ export class VM {
       blockchain,
       stateManager,
     }
-    const evmCopy = new EVM(evmOpts) // TODO fixme (should copy the EVMInterface, not default EVM)
+    const evmCopy = await EVM.create(evmOpts) // TODO fixme (should copy the EVMInterface, not default EVM)
     return VM.create({
       stateManager,
       blockchain: this.blockchain,
diff --git a/packages/vm/test/api/EIPs/eip-6800-verkle.spec.ts b/packages/vm/test/api/EIPs/eip-6800-verkle.spec.ts
index 95ce3c61a7..90bedaf377 100644
--- a/packages/vm/test/api/EIPs/eip-6800-verkle.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/vm/test/api/EIPs/eip-6800-verkle.spec.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ const block = Block.fromBlockData(verkleBlockJSON, { common })
 describe('EIP 6800 tests', () => {
   it('successfully run transactions statelessly using the block witness', async () => {
     const verkleStateManager = new StatelessVerkleStateManager({ common })
-    const evm = new EVM({ common, stateManager: verkleStateManager })
+    const evm = await EVM.create({ common, stateManager: verkleStateManager })
     const vm = await VM.create({
       common,
       evm,
diff --git a/packages/vm/test/api/istanbul/eip-1108.spec.ts b/packages/vm/test/api/istanbul/eip-1108.spec.ts
index bf7c4d7272..fbcc13f1be 100644
--- a/packages/vm/test/api/istanbul/eip-1108.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/vm/test/api/istanbul/eip-1108.spec.ts
@@ -1,14 +1,17 @@
 import { Chain, Common, Hardfork } from '@ethereumjs/common'
 import { getActivePrecompiles } from '@ethereumjs/evm'
 import { hexToBytes } from '@ethereumjs/util'
-import { assert, describe, it } from 'vitest'
+import { assert, beforeAll, describe, it } from 'vitest'
 
 import { VM } from '../../../src/vm'
 
 describe('Istanbul: EIP-1108 tests', () => {
+  let vm: VM
+  const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul })
+  beforeAll(async () => {
+    vm = await VM.create({ common })
+  })
   it('ECADD', async () => {
-    const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul })
-    const vm = await VM.create({ common })
     const address = '0000000000000000000000000000000000000006'
     const ECADD = getActivePrecompiles(common).get(address)!
 
@@ -23,8 +26,6 @@ describe('Istanbul: EIP-1108 tests', () => {
   })
 
   it('ECMUL', async () => {
-    const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul })
-    const vm = await VM.create({ common })
     const address = '0000000000000000000000000000000000000007'
     const ECMUL = getActivePrecompiles(common).get(address)!
 
@@ -39,8 +40,6 @@ describe('Istanbul: EIP-1108 tests', () => {
   })
 
   it('ECPAIRING', async () => {
-    const common = new Common({ chain: Chain.Mainnet, hardfork: Hardfork.Istanbul })
-    const vm = await VM.create({ common })
     const address = '0000000000000000000000000000000000000008'
     const ECPAIRING = getActivePrecompiles(common).get(address)!
 
diff --git a/packages/vm/test/tester/index.ts b/packages/vm/test/tester/index.ts
index f7c8bc1722..d9a36a9262 100755
--- a/packages/vm/test/tester/index.ts
+++ b/packages/vm/test/tester/index.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { createKZG } from 'kzg-wasm'
 import * as minimist from 'minimist'
 import * as path from 'path'
 import * as process from 'process'
+import { initRustBN } from 'rustbn-wasm'
 import * as tape from 'tape'
 
 import {
@@ -19,6 +20,7 @@ import { runStateTest } from './runners/GeneralStateTestsRunner'
 import { getTestFromSource, getTestsFromArgs } from './testLoader'
 
 import type { Common } from '@ethereumjs/common'
+import type { bn128 } from '@ethereumjs/evm'
 
 /**
  * Test runner
@@ -103,6 +105,7 @@ async function runTests() {
    */
   const kzg = await createKZG()
   initKZG(kzg)
+  const bn128 = await initRustBN()
   const runnerArgs: {
     forkConfigVM: string
     forkConfigTestSuite: string
@@ -115,6 +118,7 @@ async function runTests() {
     debug?: boolean
     reps?: number
     profile: boolean
+    bn128: bn128
   } = {
     forkConfigVM: FORK_CONFIG_VM,
     forkConfigTestSuite: FORK_CONFIG_TEST_SUITE,
@@ -127,6 +131,7 @@ async function runTests() {
     debug: argv.debug, // BlockchainTests
     reps: argv.reps, // test repetitions
     profile: RUN_PROFILER,
+    bn128,
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/packages/vm/test/tester/runners/BlockchainTestsRunner.ts b/packages/vm/test/tester/runners/BlockchainTestsRunner.ts
index a1992100ce..b45b38aa0f 100644
--- a/packages/vm/test/tester/runners/BlockchainTestsRunner.ts
+++ b/packages/vm/test/tester/runners/BlockchainTestsRunner.ts
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ export async function runBlockchainTest(options: any, testData: any, t: tape.Tes
     profilerOpts: {
       reportAfterBlock: options.profile,
     },
+    bn128: options.bn128,
   })
 
   // set up pre-state
@@ -221,8 +222,6 @@ export async function runBlockchainTest(options: any, testData: any, t: tape.Tes
         throw e
       }
 
-      //  await cacheDB._leveldb.close()
-
       if (expectException !== false) {
         t.fail(`expected exception but test did not throw an exception: ${expectException}`)
         return
@@ -242,7 +241,6 @@ export async function runBlockchainTest(options: any, testData: any, t: tape.Tes
   const end = Date.now()
   const timeSpent = `${(end - begin) / 1000} secs`
   t.comment(`Time: ${timeSpent}`)
-  // await cacheDB._leveldb.close()
 
   // @ts-ignore Explicitly delete objects for memory optimization (early GC)
   common = blockchain = state = stateManager = vm = cacheDB = null // eslint-disable-line
diff --git a/packages/vm/test/tester/runners/GeneralStateTestsRunner.ts b/packages/vm/test/tester/runners/GeneralStateTestsRunner.ts
index c4a0dd48ba..d54a12acd5 100644
--- a/packages/vm/test/tester/runners/GeneralStateTestsRunner.ts
+++ b/packages/vm/test/tester/runners/GeneralStateTestsRunner.ts
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ async function runTestCase(options: any, testData: any, t: tape.Test) {
     common,
     blockchain,
     profilerOpts: { reportAfterTx: options.profile },
+    bn128: options.bn128,
   })
 
   await setupPreConditions(vm.stateManager, testData)