diff --git a/.clog.yaml b/.clog.yaml
index 8691af6d8318..08f0137919e3 100644
--- a/.clog.yaml
+++ b/.clog.yaml
@@ -10,3 +10,4 @@ tags:
   - abci
   - rest
   - cli
+  - modules
diff --git a/.pending/improvements/modules/_4751-update-genutil b/.pending/improvements/modules/_4751-update-genutil
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..d1bbd4f15133
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.pending/improvements/modules/_4751-update-genutil
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+#4751 update `x/genutils` to match module spec
diff --git a/x/genaccounts/alias.go b/x/genaccounts/alias.go
index 0ae1f55b317a..159e537f1f27 100644
--- a/x/genaccounts/alias.go
+++ b/x/genaccounts/alias.go
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 package genaccounts
 
 import (
-	types "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genaccounts/internal/types"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genaccounts/internal/types"
 )
 
 const (
diff --git a/x/genaccounts/genesis.go b/x/genaccounts/genesis.go
index 1bf793d302a4..495d012ac492 100644
--- a/x/genaccounts/genesis.go
+++ b/x/genaccounts/genesis.go
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
 	authexported "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/exported"
-	types "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genaccounts/internal/types"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genaccounts/internal/types"
 )
 
 // InitGenesis initializes accounts and deliver genesis transactions
diff --git a/x/genaccounts/internal/types/codec.go b/x/genaccounts/internal/types/codec.go
index 7bd6913e6c4e..35069bba5f11 100644
--- a/x/genaccounts/internal/types/codec.go
+++ b/x/genaccounts/internal/types/codec.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package genaccounts
+package types
 
 import (
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
diff --git a/x/genaccounts/internal/types/expected_keepers.go b/x/genaccounts/internal/types/expected_keepers.go
index bbaa18f58e93..168082ee9502 100644
--- a/x/genaccounts/internal/types/expected_keepers.go
+++ b/x/genaccounts/internal/types/expected_keepers.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package genaccounts
+package types
 
 import (
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
diff --git a/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_account.go b/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_account.go
index c695159989b4..1093c7d55462 100644
--- a/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_account.go
+++ b/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_account.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package genaccounts
+package types
 
 import (
 	"errors"
diff --git a/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_account_test.go b/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_account_test.go
index 985a74496b59..56dd140ec33a 100644
--- a/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_account_test.go
+++ b/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_account_test.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package genaccounts
+package types
 
 import (
 	"errors"
diff --git a/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_state.go b/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_state.go
index a9d73607e2d1..c639be138c16 100644
--- a/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_state.go
+++ b/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_state.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package genaccounts
+package types
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
diff --git a/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_state_test.go b/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_state_test.go
index de068f2342c6..90ed5ea8cd65 100644
--- a/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_state_test.go
+++ b/x/genaccounts/internal/types/genesis_state_test.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package genaccounts
+package types
 
 import (
 	"testing"
diff --git a/x/genaccounts/module.go b/x/genaccounts/module.go
index e502cfb740c5..90c01de8b15e 100644
--- a/x/genaccounts/module.go
+++ b/x/genaccounts/module.go
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import (
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/module"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/exported"
-	types "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genaccounts/internal/types"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genaccounts/internal/types"
 )
 
 var (
diff --git a/x/genutil/alias.go b/x/genutil/alias.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..92cd6f78b06f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x/genutil/alias.go
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+// nolint
+// autogenerated code using github.com/rigelrozanski/multitool
+// aliases generated for the following subdirectories:
+// ALIASGEN: github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genutil/types
+package genutil
+
+import (
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genutil/types"
+)
+
+const (
+	ModuleName = types.ModuleName
+)
+
+var (
+	// functions aliases
+	NewGenesisState             = types.NewGenesisState
+	NewGenesisStateFromStdTx    = types.NewGenesisStateFromStdTx
+	NewInitConfig               = types.NewInitConfig
+	GetGenesisStateFromAppState = types.GetGenesisStateFromAppState
+	SetGenesisStateInAppState   = types.SetGenesisStateInAppState
+	GenesisStateFromGenDoc      = types.GenesisStateFromGenDoc
+	GenesisStateFromGenFile     = types.GenesisStateFromGenFile
+	ValidateGenesis             = types.ValidateGenesis
+
+	// variable aliases
+	ModuleCdc = types.ModuleCdc
+)
+
+type (
+	GenesisState      = types.GenesisState
+	AppMap            = types.AppMap
+	MigrationCallback = types.MigrationCallback
+	MigrationMap      = types.MigrationMap
+	InitConfig        = types.InitConfig
+)
diff --git a/x/genutil/client/cli/collect.go b/x/genutil/client/cli/collect.go
index 5b2b9912c040..35cc3581b938 100644
--- a/x/genutil/client/cli/collect.go
+++ b/x/genutil/client/cli/collect.go
@@ -13,13 +13,14 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/server"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genutil"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genutil/types"
 )
 
 const flagGenTxDir = "gentx-dir"
 
 // CollectGenTxsCmd - return the cobra command to collect genesis transactions
 func CollectGenTxsCmd(ctx *server.Context, cdc *codec.Codec,
-	genAccIterator genutil.GenesisAccountsIterator, defaultNodeHome string) *cobra.Command {
+	genAccIterator types.GenesisAccountsIterator, defaultNodeHome string) *cobra.Command {
 
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{
 		Use:   "collect-gentxs",
diff --git a/x/genutil/client/cli/gentx.go b/x/genutil/client/cli/gentx.go
index 2ca9bd6294e5..568542259bc7 100644
--- a/x/genutil/client/cli/gentx.go
+++ b/x/genutil/client/cli/gentx.go
@@ -29,9 +29,10 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genutil"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genutil/types"
 )
 
-// helpers for message building gen-tx command
+// StakingMsgBuildingHelpers helpers for message building gen-tx command
 type StakingMsgBuildingHelpers interface {
 	CreateValidatorMsgHelpers(ipDefault string) (fs *flag.FlagSet, nodeIDFlag, pubkeyFlag, amountFlag, defaultsDesc string)
 	PrepareFlagsForTxCreateValidator(config *cfg.Config, nodeID, chainID string, valPubKey crypto.PubKey)
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ type StakingMsgBuildingHelpers interface {
 // GenTxCmd builds the application's gentx command.
 // nolint: errcheck
 func GenTxCmd(ctx *server.Context, cdc *codec.Codec, mbm module.BasicManager, smbh StakingMsgBuildingHelpers,
-	genAccIterator genutil.GenesisAccountsIterator, defaultNodeHome, defaultCLIHome string) *cobra.Command {
+	genAccIterator types.GenesisAccountsIterator, defaultNodeHome, defaultCLIHome string) *cobra.Command {
 
 	ipDefault, _ := server.ExternalIP()
 	fsCreateValidator, flagNodeID, flagPubKey, flagAmount, defaultsDesc := smbh.CreateValidatorMsgHelpers(ipDefault)
diff --git a/x/genutil/codec.go b/x/genutil/codec.go
deleted file mode 100644
index a9752fa223c5..000000000000
--- a/x/genutil/codec.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-package genutil
-
-import (
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
-	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking"
-)
-
-// generic sealed codec to be used throughout this module
-var moduleCdc *codec.Codec
-
-// TODO abstract genesis transactions registration back to staking
-// required for genesis transactions
-func init() {
-	moduleCdc = codec.New()
-	staking.RegisterCodec(moduleCdc)
-	auth.RegisterCodec(moduleCdc)
-	sdk.RegisterCodec(moduleCdc)
-	codec.RegisterCrypto(moduleCdc)
-	moduleCdc.Seal()
-}
diff --git a/x/genutil/collect.go b/x/genutil/collect.go
index fe2d81531fa6..7145efb048a6 100644
--- a/x/genutil/collect.go
+++ b/x/genutil/collect.go
@@ -13,39 +13,20 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 
 	cfg "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/config"
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto"
 	tmtypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
 
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking"
+	authexported "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/exported"
+	authtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/types"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genutil/types"
+	stakingtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/types"
 )
 
-// common config options for init
-type InitConfig struct {
-	ChainID   string
-	GenTxsDir string
-	Name      string
-	NodeID    string
-	ValPubKey crypto.PubKey
-}
-
-// NewInitConfig creates a new InitConfig object
-func NewInitConfig(chainID, genTxsDir, name, nodeID string, valPubKey crypto.PubKey) InitConfig {
-	return InitConfig{
-		ChainID:   chainID,
-		GenTxsDir: genTxsDir,
-		Name:      name,
-		NodeID:    nodeID,
-		ValPubKey: valPubKey,
-	}
-}
-
-// get the genesis app state from the config
+// GenAppStateFromConfig gets the genesis app state from the config
 func GenAppStateFromConfig(cdc *codec.Codec, config *cfg.Config,
 	initCfg InitConfig, genDoc tmtypes.GenesisDoc,
-	genAccIterator GenesisAccountsIterator,
+	genAccIterator types.GenesisAccountsIterator,
 ) (appState json.RawMessage, err error) {
 
 	// process genesis transactions, else create default genesis.json
@@ -83,30 +64,11 @@ func GenAppStateFromConfig(cdc *codec.Codec, config *cfg.Config,
 	return appState, err
 }
 
-// Set the genesis transactions int the app genesis state
-func SetGenTxsInAppGenesisState(cdc *codec.Codec, appGenesisState map[string]json.RawMessage,
-	genTxs []auth.StdTx) (map[string]json.RawMessage, error) {
-
-	genesisState := GetGenesisStateFromAppState(cdc, appGenesisState)
-	// convert all the GenTxs to JSON
-	var genTxsBz []json.RawMessage
-	for _, genTx := range genTxs {
-		txBz, err := cdc.MarshalJSON(genTx)
-		if err != nil {
-			return appGenesisState, err
-		}
-		genTxsBz = append(genTxsBz, txBz)
-	}
-
-	genesisState.GenTxs = genTxsBz
-	return SetGenesisStateInAppState(cdc, appGenesisState, genesisState), nil
-}
-
 // CollectStdTxs processes and validates application's genesis StdTxs and returns
 // the list of appGenTxs, and persistent peers required to generate genesis.json.
 func CollectStdTxs(cdc *codec.Codec, moniker, genTxsDir string,
-	genDoc tmtypes.GenesisDoc, genAccIterator GenesisAccountsIterator,
-) (appGenTxs []auth.StdTx, persistentPeers string, err error) {
+	genDoc tmtypes.GenesisDoc, genAccIterator types.GenesisAccountsIterator,
+) (appGenTxs []authtypes.StdTx, persistentPeers string, err error) {
 
 	var fos []os.FileInfo
 	fos, err = ioutil.ReadDir(genTxsDir)
@@ -121,9 +83,9 @@ func CollectStdTxs(cdc *codec.Codec, moniker, genTxsDir string,
 		return appGenTxs, persistentPeers, err
 	}
 
-	addrMap := make(map[string]auth.Account)
+	addrMap := make(map[string]authexported.Account)
 	genAccIterator.IterateGenesisAccounts(cdc, appState,
-		func(acc auth.Account) (stop bool) {
+		func(acc authexported.Account) (stop bool) {
 			addrMap[acc.GetAddress().String()] = acc
 			return false
 		},
@@ -143,7 +105,7 @@ func CollectStdTxs(cdc *codec.Codec, moniker, genTxsDir string,
 		if jsonRawTx, err = ioutil.ReadFile(filename); err != nil {
 			return appGenTxs, persistentPeers, err
 		}
-		var genStdTx auth.StdTx
+		var genStdTx authtypes.StdTx
 		if err = cdc.UnmarshalJSON(jsonRawTx, &genStdTx); err != nil {
 			return appGenTxs, persistentPeers, err
 		}
@@ -166,7 +128,7 @@ func CollectStdTxs(cdc *codec.Codec, moniker, genTxsDir string,
 		}
 
 		// TODO abstract out staking message validation back to staking
-		msg := msgs[0].(staking.MsgCreateValidator)
+		msg := msgs[0].(stakingtypes.MsgCreateValidator)
 		// validate delegator and validator addresses and funds against the accounts in the state
 		delAddr := msg.DelegatorAddress.String()
 		valAddr := sdk.AccAddress(msg.ValidatorAddress).String()
diff --git a/x/genutil/expected.go b/x/genutil/expected.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 9fd28cf8d894..000000000000
--- a/x/genutil/expected.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,32 +0,0 @@
-package genutil
-
-import (
-	"encoding/json"
-
-	abci "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
-
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
-	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth"
-)
-
-// expected staking keeper
-type StakingKeeper interface {
-	ApplyAndReturnValidatorSetUpdates(sdk.Context) (updates []abci.ValidatorUpdate)
-}
-
-// expected account keeper
-type AccountKeeper interface {
-	NewAccount(sdk.Context, auth.Account) auth.Account
-	SetAccount(sdk.Context, auth.Account)
-	IterateAccounts(ctx sdk.Context, process func(auth.Account) (stop bool))
-}
-
-// The expected interface for iterating genesis accounts object
-type GenesisAccountsIterator interface {
-	IterateGenesisAccounts(
-		cdc *codec.Codec,
-		appGenesis map[string]json.RawMessage,
-		iterateFn func(auth.Account) (stop bool),
-	)
-}
diff --git a/x/genutil/init.go b/x/genutil/genesis.go
similarity index 77%
rename from x/genutil/init.go
rename to x/genutil/genesis.go
index 786838719f40..c1a06a8b9aff 100644
--- a/x/genutil/init.go
+++ b/x/genutil/genesis.go
@@ -5,10 +5,11 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genutil/types"
 )
 
-// initialize accounts and deliver genesis transactions
-func InitGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, cdc *codec.Codec, stakingKeeper StakingKeeper,
+// InitGenesis - initialize accounts and deliver genesis transactions
+func InitGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, cdc *codec.Codec, stakingKeeper types.StakingKeeper,
 	deliverTx deliverTxfn, genesisState GenesisState) []abci.ValidatorUpdate {
 
 	var validators []abci.ValidatorUpdate
diff --git a/x/genutil/genesis_state_test.go b/x/genutil/genesis_state_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 78175f214c76..000000000000
--- a/x/genutil/genesis_state_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,47 +0,0 @@
-package genutil
-
-import (
-	"testing"
-
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto/ed25519"
-
-	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking"
-)
-
-var (
-	pk1 = ed25519.GenPrivKey().PubKey()
-	pk2 = ed25519.GenPrivKey().PubKey()
-)
-
-func TestValidateGenesisMultipleMessages(t *testing.T) {
-
-	desc := staking.NewDescription("testname", "", "", "")
-	comm := staking.CommissionRates{}
-
-	msg1 := staking.NewMsgCreateValidator(sdk.ValAddress(pk1.Address()), pk1,
-		sdk.NewInt64Coin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, 50), desc, comm, sdk.OneInt())
-
-	msg2 := staking.NewMsgCreateValidator(sdk.ValAddress(pk2.Address()), pk2,
-		sdk.NewInt64Coin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, 50), desc, comm, sdk.OneInt())
-
-	genTxs := auth.NewStdTx([]sdk.Msg{msg1, msg2}, auth.StdFee{}, nil, "")
-	genesisState := NewGenesisStateFromStdTx([]auth.StdTx{genTxs})
-
-	err := ValidateGenesis(genesisState)
-	require.Error(t, err)
-}
-
-func TestValidateGenesisBadMessage(t *testing.T) {
-	desc := staking.NewDescription("testname", "", "", "")
-
-	msg1 := staking.NewMsgEditValidator(sdk.ValAddress(pk1.Address()), desc, nil, nil)
-
-	genTxs := auth.NewStdTx([]sdk.Msg{msg1}, auth.StdFee{}, nil, "")
-	genesisState := NewGenesisStateFromStdTx([]auth.StdTx{genTxs})
-
-	err := ValidateGenesis(genesisState)
-	require.Error(t, err)
-}
diff --git a/x/genutil/gentx.go b/x/genutil/gentx.go
index 0dc14de225a8..c9f55c3e8447 100644
--- a/x/genutil/gentx.go
+++ b/x/genutil/gentx.go
@@ -10,31 +10,52 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking"
+	authexported "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/exported"
+	authtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/types"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genutil/types"
+	stakingtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/types"
 )
 
+// SetGenTxsInAppGenesisState - sets the genesis transactions in the app genesis state
+func SetGenTxsInAppGenesisState(cdc *codec.Codec, appGenesisState map[string]json.RawMessage,
+	genTxs []authtypes.StdTx) (map[string]json.RawMessage, error) {
+
+	genesisState := GetGenesisStateFromAppState(cdc, appGenesisState)
+	// convert all the GenTxs to JSON
+	var genTxsBz []json.RawMessage
+	for _, genTx := range genTxs {
+		txBz, err := cdc.MarshalJSON(genTx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return appGenesisState, err
+		}
+		genTxsBz = append(genTxsBz, txBz)
+	}
+
+	genesisState.GenTxs = genTxsBz
+	return SetGenesisStateInAppState(cdc, appGenesisState, genesisState), nil
+}
+
 // ValidateAccountInGenesis checks that the provided key has sufficient
 // coins in the genesis accounts
 func ValidateAccountInGenesis(appGenesisState map[string]json.RawMessage,
-	genAccIterator GenesisAccountsIterator,
+	genAccIterator types.GenesisAccountsIterator,
 	key sdk.AccAddress, coins sdk.Coins, cdc *codec.Codec) error {
 
 	accountIsInGenesis := false
 
-	// TODO refactor out bond denom to common state area
-	stakingDataBz := appGenesisState[staking.ModuleName]
-	var stakingData staking.GenesisState
+	// TODO: refactor out bond denom to common state area
+	stakingDataBz := appGenesisState[stakingtypes.ModuleName]
+	var stakingData stakingtypes.GenesisState
 	cdc.MustUnmarshalJSON(stakingDataBz, &stakingData)
 	bondDenom := stakingData.Params.BondDenom
 
-	genUtilDataBz := appGenesisState[staking.ModuleName]
+	genUtilDataBz := appGenesisState[stakingtypes.ModuleName]
 	var genesisState GenesisState
 	cdc.MustUnmarshalJSON(genUtilDataBz, &genesisState)
 
 	var err error
 	genAccIterator.IterateGenesisAccounts(cdc, appGenesisState,
-		func(acc auth.Account) (stop bool) {
+		func(acc authexported.Account) (stop bool) {
 			accAddress := acc.GetAddress()
 			accCoins := acc.GetCoins()
 
@@ -68,12 +89,12 @@ func ValidateAccountInGenesis(appGenesisState map[string]json.RawMessage,
 
 type deliverTxfn func(abci.RequestDeliverTx) abci.ResponseDeliverTx
 
-// deliver a genesis transaction
+// DeliverGenTxs - deliver a genesis transaction
 func DeliverGenTxs(ctx sdk.Context, cdc *codec.Codec, genTxs []json.RawMessage,
-	stakingKeeper StakingKeeper, deliverTx deliverTxfn) []abci.ValidatorUpdate {
+	stakingKeeper types.StakingKeeper, deliverTx deliverTxfn) []abci.ValidatorUpdate {
 
 	for _, genTx := range genTxs {
-		var tx auth.StdTx
+		var tx authtypes.StdTx
 		cdc.MustUnmarshalJSON(genTx, &tx)
 		bz := cdc.MustMarshalBinaryLengthPrefixed(tx)
 		res := deliverTx(abci.RequestDeliverTx{Tx: bz})
diff --git a/x/genutil/module.go b/x/genutil/module.go
index a8fab323d16e..f6051fccb549 100644
--- a/x/genutil/module.go
+++ b/x/genutil/module.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/module"
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/genutil/types"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -19,9 +20,6 @@ var (
 	_ module.AppModuleBasic   = AppModuleBasic{}
 )
 
-// module name
-const ModuleName = "genutil"
-
 // app module basics object
 type AppModuleBasic struct{}
 
@@ -35,13 +33,13 @@ func (AppModuleBasic) RegisterCodec(cdc *codec.Codec) {}
 
 // default genesis state
 func (AppModuleBasic) DefaultGenesis() json.RawMessage {
-	return moduleCdc.MustMarshalJSON(GenesisState{})
+	return ModuleCdc.MustMarshalJSON(GenesisState{})
 }
 
 // module validate genesis
 func (AppModuleBasic) ValidateGenesis(bz json.RawMessage) error {
 	var data GenesisState
-	err := moduleCdc.UnmarshalJSON(bz, &data)
+	err := ModuleCdc.UnmarshalJSON(bz, &data)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -61,14 +59,14 @@ func (AppModuleBasic) GetQueryCmd(_ *codec.Codec) *cobra.Command { return nil }
 // app module
 type AppModule struct {
 	AppModuleBasic
-	accountKeeper AccountKeeper
-	stakingKeeper StakingKeeper
+	accountKeeper types.AccountKeeper
+	stakingKeeper types.StakingKeeper
 	deliverTx     deliverTxfn
 }
 
 // NewAppModule creates a new AppModule object
-func NewAppModule(accountKeeper AccountKeeper,
-	stakingKeeper StakingKeeper, deliverTx deliverTxfn) module.AppModule {
+func NewAppModule(accountKeeper types.AccountKeeper,
+	stakingKeeper types.StakingKeeper, deliverTx deliverTxfn) module.AppModule {
 
 	return module.NewGenesisOnlyAppModule(AppModule{
 		AppModuleBasic: AppModuleBasic{},
@@ -81,8 +79,8 @@ func NewAppModule(accountKeeper AccountKeeper,
 // module init-genesis
 func (am AppModule) InitGenesis(ctx sdk.Context, data json.RawMessage) []abci.ValidatorUpdate {
 	var genesisState GenesisState
-	moduleCdc.MustUnmarshalJSON(data, &genesisState)
-	return InitGenesis(ctx, moduleCdc, am.stakingKeeper, am.deliverTx, genesisState)
+	ModuleCdc.MustUnmarshalJSON(data, &genesisState)
+	return InitGenesis(ctx, ModuleCdc, am.stakingKeeper, am.deliverTx, genesisState)
 }
 
 // module export genesis
diff --git a/x/genutil/types.go b/x/genutil/types.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 88c304a38f62..000000000000
--- a/x/genutil/types.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,14 +0,0 @@
-package genutil
-
-import (
-	"encoding/json"
-)
-
-type (
-	// AppMap map modules names with their json raw representation
-	AppMap map[string]json.RawMessage
-	// MigrationCallback converts a genesis map from the previous version to the targeted one
-	MigrationCallback func(AppMap) AppMap
-	// MigrationMap defines a mapping from a version to a MigrationCallback
-	MigrationMap map[string]MigrationCallback
-)
diff --git a/x/genutil/types/codec.go b/x/genutil/types/codec.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..624be93d138f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x/genutil/types/codec.go
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+package types
+
+import (
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
+	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
+	authtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/types"
+	stakingtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/types"
+)
+
+// ModuleCdc defines a generic sealed codec to be used throughout this module
+var ModuleCdc *codec.Codec
+
+// TODO: abstract genesis transactions registration back to staking
+// required for genesis transactions
+func init() {
+	ModuleCdc = codec.New()
+	stakingtypes.RegisterCodec(ModuleCdc)
+	authtypes.RegisterCodec(ModuleCdc)
+	sdk.RegisterCodec(ModuleCdc)
+	codec.RegisterCrypto(ModuleCdc)
+	ModuleCdc.Seal()
+}
diff --git a/x/genutil/types/expected_keepers.go b/x/genutil/types/expected_keepers.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..b44236d7d8d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x/genutil/types/expected_keepers.go
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+package types
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+
+	abci "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/abci/types"
+
+	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
+	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
+	authexported "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/exported"
+)
+
+// StakingKeeper defines the expected staking keeper (noalias)
+type StakingKeeper interface {
+	ApplyAndReturnValidatorSetUpdates(sdk.Context) (updates []abci.ValidatorUpdate)
+}
+
+// AccountKeeper defines the expected account keeper (noalias)
+type AccountKeeper interface {
+	NewAccount(sdk.Context, authexported.Account) authexported.Account
+	SetAccount(sdk.Context, authexported.Account)
+	IterateAccounts(ctx sdk.Context, process func(authexported.Account) (stop bool))
+}
+
+// GenesisAccountsIterator defines the expected iterating genesis accounts object (noalias)
+type GenesisAccountsIterator interface {
+	IterateGenesisAccounts(
+		cdc *codec.Codec,
+		appGenesis map[string]json.RawMessage,
+		iterateFn func(authexported.Account) (stop bool),
+	)
+}
diff --git a/x/genutil/genesis_state.go b/x/genutil/types/genesis_state.go
similarity index 68%
rename from x/genutil/genesis_state.go
rename to x/genutil/types/genesis_state.go
index 4f4b47e54571..e568bb42076a 100644
--- a/x/genutil/genesis_state.go
+++ b/x/genutil/types/genesis_state.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package genutil
+package types
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
@@ -9,11 +9,11 @@ import (
 	tmtypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
 
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking"
+	authtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/types"
+	stakingtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/types"
 )
 
-// State to Unmarshal
+// GenesisState defines the raw genesis transaction in JSON
 type GenesisState struct {
 	GenTxs []json.RawMessage `json:"gentxs" yaml:"gentxs"`
 }
@@ -27,17 +27,15 @@ func NewGenesisState(genTxs []json.RawMessage) GenesisState {
 
 // NewGenesisStateFromStdTx creates a new GenesisState object
 // from auth transactions
-func NewGenesisStateFromStdTx(genTxs []auth.StdTx) GenesisState {
+func NewGenesisStateFromStdTx(genTxs []authtypes.StdTx) GenesisState {
 	genTxsBz := make([]json.RawMessage, len(genTxs))
 	for i, genTx := range genTxs {
-		genTxsBz[i] = moduleCdc.MustMarshalJSON(genTx)
-	}
-	return GenesisState{
-		GenTxs: genTxsBz,
+		genTxsBz[i] = ModuleCdc.MustMarshalJSON(genTx)
 	}
+	return NewGenesisState(genTxsBz)
 }
 
-// get the genutil genesis state from the expected app state
+// GetGenesisStateFromAppState gets the genutil genesis state from the expected app state
 func GetGenesisStateFromAppState(cdc *codec.Codec, appState map[string]json.RawMessage) GenesisState {
 	var genesisState GenesisState
 	if appState[ModuleName] != nil {
@@ -46,7 +44,7 @@ func GetGenesisStateFromAppState(cdc *codec.Codec, appState map[string]json.RawM
 	return genesisState
 }
 
-// set the genutil genesis state within the expected app state
+// SetGenesisStateInAppState sets the genutil genesis state within the expected app state
 func SetGenesisStateInAppState(cdc *codec.Codec,
 	appState map[string]json.RawMessage, genesisState GenesisState) map[string]json.RawMessage {
 
@@ -55,7 +53,8 @@ func SetGenesisStateInAppState(cdc *codec.Codec,
 	return appState
 }
 
-// Create the core parameters for genesis initialization for the application.
+// GenesisStateFromGenDoc creates the core parameters for genesis initialization
+// for the application.
 //
 // NOTE: The pubkey input is this machines pubkey.
 func GenesisStateFromGenDoc(cdc *codec.Codec, genDoc tmtypes.GenesisDoc,
@@ -67,7 +66,8 @@ func GenesisStateFromGenDoc(cdc *codec.Codec, genDoc tmtypes.GenesisDoc,
 	return genesisState, nil
 }
 
-// Create the core parameters for genesis initialization for the application.
+// GenesisStateFromGenFile creates the core parameters for genesis initialization
+// for the application.
 //
 // NOTE: The pubkey input is this machines pubkey.
 func GenesisStateFromGenFile(cdc *codec.Codec, genFile string,
@@ -86,11 +86,11 @@ func GenesisStateFromGenFile(cdc *codec.Codec, genFile string,
 	return genesisState, genDoc, err
 }
 
-// validate GenTx transactions
+// ValidateGenesis validates GenTx transactions
 func ValidateGenesis(genesisState GenesisState) error {
 	for i, genTx := range genesisState.GenTxs {
-		var tx auth.StdTx
-		if err := moduleCdc.UnmarshalJSON(genTx, &tx); err != nil {
+		var tx authtypes.StdTx
+		if err := ModuleCdc.UnmarshalJSON(genTx, &tx); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
@@ -100,10 +100,10 @@ func ValidateGenesis(genesisState GenesisState) error {
 				"must provide genesis StdTx with exactly 1 CreateValidator message")
 		}
 
-		// TODO abstract back to staking
-		if _, ok := msgs[0].(staking.MsgCreateValidator); !ok {
+		// TODO: abstract back to staking
+		if _, ok := msgs[0].(stakingtypes.MsgCreateValidator); !ok {
 			return fmt.Errorf(
-				"Genesis transaction %v does not contain a MsgCreateValidator", i)
+				"genesis transaction %v does not contain a MsgCreateValidator", i)
 		}
 	}
 	return nil
diff --git a/x/genutil/types/genesis_state_test.go b/x/genutil/types/genesis_state_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..fb15d243521b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x/genutil/types/genesis_state_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+package types
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
+	authtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/types"
+	stakingtypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/staking/types"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto/ed25519"
+)
+
+var (
+	pk1 = ed25519.GenPrivKey().PubKey()
+	pk2 = ed25519.GenPrivKey().PubKey()
+)
+
+func TestValidateGenesisMultipleMessages(t *testing.T) {
+
+	desc := stakingtypes.NewDescription("testname", "", "", "")
+	comm := stakingtypes.CommissionRates{}
+
+	msg1 := stakingtypes.NewMsgCreateValidator(sdk.ValAddress(pk1.Address()), pk1,
+		sdk.NewInt64Coin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, 50), desc, comm, sdk.OneInt())
+
+	msg2 := stakingtypes.NewMsgCreateValidator(sdk.ValAddress(pk2.Address()), pk2,
+		sdk.NewInt64Coin(sdk.DefaultBondDenom, 50), desc, comm, sdk.OneInt())
+
+	genTxs := authtypes.NewStdTx([]sdk.Msg{msg1, msg2}, authtypes.StdFee{}, nil, "")
+	genesisState := NewGenesisStateFromStdTx([]authtypes.StdTx{genTxs})
+
+	err := ValidateGenesis(genesisState)
+	require.Error(t, err)
+}
+
+func TestValidateGenesisBadMessage(t *testing.T) {
+	desc := stakingtypes.NewDescription("testname", "", "", "")
+
+	msg1 := stakingtypes.NewMsgEditValidator(sdk.ValAddress(pk1.Address()), desc, nil, nil)
+
+	genTxs := authtypes.NewStdTx([]sdk.Msg{msg1}, authtypes.StdFee{}, nil, "")
+	genesisState := NewGenesisStateFromStdTx([]authtypes.StdTx{genTxs})
+
+	err := ValidateGenesis(genesisState)
+	require.Error(t, err)
+}
diff --git a/x/genutil/types/types.go b/x/genutil/types/types.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..f98eb92f70e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x/genutil/types/types.go
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+package types
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+
+	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/crypto"
+)
+
+// DONTCOVER
+
+type (
+	// AppMap map modules names with their json raw representation
+	AppMap map[string]json.RawMessage
+	// MigrationCallback converts a genesis map from the previous version to the targeted one
+	MigrationCallback func(AppMap) AppMap
+	// MigrationMap defines a mapping from a version to a MigrationCallback
+	MigrationMap map[string]MigrationCallback
+)
+
+// ModuleName is genutil
+const ModuleName = "genutil"
+
+// InitConfig common config options for init
+type InitConfig struct {
+	ChainID   string
+	GenTxsDir string
+	Name      string
+	NodeID    string
+	ValPubKey crypto.PubKey
+}
+
+// NewInitConfig creates a new InitConfig object
+func NewInitConfig(chainID, genTxsDir, name, nodeID string, valPubKey crypto.PubKey) InitConfig {
+	return InitConfig{
+		ChainID:   chainID,
+		GenTxsDir: genTxsDir,
+		Name:      name,
+		NodeID:    nodeID,
+		ValPubKey: valPubKey,
+	}
+}