diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yaml b/.github/workflows/test.yaml
index d3d9abd..4df8ccf 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yaml
@@ -29,9 +29,16 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/setup-go@v6
         with:
           go-version: '1.26.3'
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: '20'
 
-      - name: Run Nigiri
-        uses: vulpemventures/nigiri-github-action@v1
+      - name: Start regtest base stack (Bitcoin Core + Fulcrum + mempool)
+        run: |
+          # Temporary: track the unmerged #27 branch so regtest.mjs exists.
+          # Switch back to master once ArkLabsHQ/arkade-regtest#27 merges.
+          git clone --branch denigiri-regtest https://github.com/ArkLabsHQ/arkade-regtest.git regtest
+          REGTEST_PROFILES=base node regtest/regtest.mjs start
 
       - name: Run regtest environment
         run: make docker-run
@@ -50,3 +57,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Tear down
         if: always()
         run: make docker-stop
+
+      - name: Tear down regtest stack
+        if: always()
+        run: node regtest/regtest.mjs clean || true
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8aa86a5..7859529 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -197,8 +197,8 @@ The service can be configured using environment variables:
 
 - Go 1.26+
 - Docker and Docker Compose
+- Node.js 18+ (to drive the [arkade-regtest](https://github.com/ArkLabsHQ/arkade-regtest) stack for integration testing)
 - Buf CLI (for protocol buffer generation)
-- [Nigiri](https://nigiri.vulpem.com) (for integration testing)
 
 ### Building
 
@@ -223,12 +223,22 @@ make run
 # Run unit tests
 make test
 
-# Run docker regtest environment
-nigiri start
+# Bring up the regtest base stack (Bitcoin Core + Fulcrum + mempool) via the
+# arkade-regtest Node CLI (replaces `nigiri start`). Esplora's REST API is served
+# by mempool under /api (http://localhost:3000/api on the host,
+# http://mempool_web/api in-network).
+git clone https://github.com/ArkLabsHQ/arkade-regtest.git regtest
+REGTEST_PROFILES=base node regtest/regtest.mjs start
+
+# Run the emulator + arkd docker environment
 make docker-run
 
 # Run integration tests
 make integrationtest
+
+# Tear down
+make docker-stop
+node regtest/regtest.mjs clean
 ```
 
 ## Supported Opcodes
diff --git a/docker-compose.regtest.yml b/docker-compose.regtest.yml
index 81b43db..ba710b1 100644
--- a/docker-compose.regtest.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.regtest.yml
@@ -34,12 +34,13 @@ services:
       interval: 2s
       timeout: 2s
       retries: 30
-  nbxplorer:
+  # Renamed from `nbxplorer` (+ host port dropped) to avoid colliding with the
+  # arkade-regtest base stack's own `nbxplorer` container/port on the shared
+  # network. Only arkd-wallet talks to it, in-network.
+  emulator-nbxplorer:
     restart: unless-stopped
-    container_name: nbxplorer
-    ports:
-      - 32838:32838
-    image: nicolasdorier/nbxplorer:2.5.30
+    container_name: emulator-nbxplorer
+    image: nicolasdorier/nbxplorer:2.6.7
     environment:
       - NBXPLORER_NETWORK=regtest
       - NBXPLORER_CHAINS=btc
@@ -63,15 +64,15 @@ services:
 
   arkd-wallet:
     restart: unless-stopped
-    image: ghcr.io/arkade-os/arkd-wallet:v0.9.3
+    image: ghcr.io/arkade-os/arkd-wallet:v0.9.6
     container_name: arkd-wallet
     depends_on:
-      - nbxplorer
+      - emulator-nbxplorer
     ports:
       - "6060:6060"
     environment:
       - ARKD_WALLET_LOG_LEVEL=5
-      - ARKD_WALLET_NBXPLORER_URL=http://nbxplorer:32838
+      - ARKD_WALLET_NBXPLORER_URL=http://emulator-nbxplorer:32838
       - ARKD_WALLET_DATADIR=./data/regtest
       - ARKD_WALLET_NETWORK=regtest
       - ARKD_WALLET_SIGNER_KEY=afcd3fa10f82a05fddc9574fdb13b3991b568e89cc39a72ba4401df8abef35f0
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ services:
         target: /app/data
   arkd:
     build:
-      context: https://github.com/arkade-os/arkd.git#v0.9.3
+      context: https://github.com/arkade-os/arkd.git#v0.9.6
       dockerfile: Dockerfile
     container_name: arkd
     restart: unless-stopped
@@ -99,7 +100,7 @@ services:
       - ARKD_CHECKPOINT_EXIT_DELAY=512
       - ARKD_DATADIR=./data/regtest
       - ARKD_WALLET_ADDR=arkd-wallet:6060
-      - ARKD_ESPLORA_URL=http://chopsticks:3000
+      - ARKD_ESPLORA_URL=http://mempool_web/api
       - ARKD_ROUND_MIN_PARTICIPANTS_COUNT=${ARKD_ROUND_MIN_PARTICIPANTS_COUNT:-1}
       - ARKD_ROUND_MAX_PARTICIPANTS_COUNT=${ARKD_ROUND_MAX_PARTICIPANTS_COUNT:-128}
       - ARKD_VTXO_MIN_AMOUNT=1
@@ -113,7 +114,11 @@ services:
       - type: tmpfs
         target: /app/data
 
+# Join the network created by the arkade-regtest stack so this compose's arkd /
+# arkd-wallet can reach the shared bitcoin, nbxplorer and mempool_web containers.
+# Docker Compose names the default network "<project>_default"; arkade-regtest's
+# compose project is "arkade-regtest", hence "arkade-regtest_default".
 networks:
   default:
-    name: nigiri
+    name: arkade-regtest_default
     external: true
diff --git a/test/asset_account_covenant_test.go b/test/asset_account_covenant_test.go
index d1c4ba2..d8551e9 100644
--- a/test/asset_account_covenant_test.go
+++ b/test/asset_account_covenant_test.go
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ func TestAssetAccountCovenant(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	indexerSvc := setupIndexer(t)
-	explorerSvc, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorerSvc, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	infos, err := grpcAlice.GetInfo(ctx)
diff --git a/test/asset_test.go b/test/asset_test.go
index 0d45d63..422e4c3 100644
--- a/test/asset_test.go
+++ b/test/asset_test.go
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ func TestOffchainTxWithAsset(t *testing.T) {
 	encodedValidTx, err := validTx.B64Encode()
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	signedTx, err := bobWallet.SignTransaction(
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ func TestSettlementWithAsset(t *testing.T) {
 		conn.Close()
 	})
 
-	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// =========================================================================
diff --git a/test/batch_continuation_test.go b/test/batch_continuation_test.go
index c3c7502..753b9b2 100644
--- a/test/batch_continuation_test.go
+++ b/test/batch_continuation_test.go
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func TestCounterContractBatchContinuation(t *testing.T) {
 
 	indexerSvc := setupIndexer(t)
 
-	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// =========================================================================
diff --git a/test/contract_id_test.go b/test/contract_id_test.go
index 86f5111..da2c1e1 100644
--- a/test/contract_id_test.go
+++ b/test/contract_id_test.go
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func TestContractIdWithAssetIdentity(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	indexerSvc := setupIndexer(t)
-	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Recipient for the reader's value after the co-spend.
diff --git a/test/cross_input_script_validation_test.go b/test/cross_input_script_validation_test.go
index 68dafa0..aa50f87 100644
--- a/test/cross_input_script_validation_test.go
+++ b/test/cross_input_script_validation_test.go
@@ -414,7 +414,7 @@ func newCrossInputTestEnv(t *testing.T) *crossInputTestEnv {
 
 	indexerSvc := setupIndexer(t)
 
-	explorerSvc, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorerSvc, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	recipientPrivKey, err := btcec.NewPrivateKey()
diff --git a/test/delegate_test.go b/test/delegate_test.go
index 3e2827b..cf68372 100644
--- a/test/delegate_test.go
+++ b/test/delegate_test.go
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ func TestCovenantDelegate(t *testing.T) {
 	indexerSvc := setupIndexer(t)
 
 	explorerSvc, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer(
-		"http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest,
+		"http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest,
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
diff --git a/test/deprecated_key_signing_test.go b/test/deprecated_key_signing_test.go
index f4aee75..96f5d44 100644
--- a/test/deprecated_key_signing_test.go
+++ b/test/deprecated_key_signing_test.go
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ func runSubmitTxWithDeprecatedKey(
 	bobWallet, _, bobPubKey := setupWallet(t, ctx)
 	aliceAddr := fundAndSettleAlice(t, ctx, alice, 10_000)
 	indexerSvc := setupIndexer(t)
-	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	alicePkScript, err := script.P2TRScript(aliceAddr.VtxoTapKey)
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ func runSubmitIntentFinalizationWithDeprecatedKey(
 	t.Cleanup(func() { grpcClient.Close() })
 	aliceAddr := fundAndSettleAlice(t, ctx, alice, 100_000)
 	indexerSvc := setupIndexer(t)
-	explorerSvc, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorerSvc, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	delegateArkadeScript := enforceSelfSend(t)
@@ -325,13 +325,12 @@ func runSubmitOnchainWithDeprecatedKey(
 
 	tapAddr, err := btcutil.NewAddressTaproot(schnorr.SerializePubKey(vtxoTapKey), getRegtestParams(t))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, err = runCommand("nigiri", "faucet", tapAddr.EncodeAddress(), "0.01")
+	_, err = onchainFaucet(tapAddr.EncodeAddress(), "0.01")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	explorerSvc, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorerSvc, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	fundingUtxo := waitForUtxo(t, explorerSvc, tapAddr.EncodeAddress(), 60*time.Second)
-	_, err = runCommand("nigiri", "rpc", "-generate", "1")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, mineBlocks(1))
 	rawFundingHex, err := explorerSvc.GetTxHex(fundingUtxo.Txid)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	rawFundingBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(rawFundingHex)
diff --git a/test/onchain_test.go b/test/onchain_test.go
index 55bd8a3..beae40d 100644
--- a/test/onchain_test.go
+++ b/test/onchain_test.go
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
-// TestSubmitOnchainTx funds an arkade-tweaked P2TR address directly via
-// `nigiri faucet`, then spends it via a plain Bitcoin transaction where the
-// emulator co-signs after running the embedded arkade script.
+// TestSubmitOnchainTx funds an arkade-tweaked P2TR address directly via the
+// regtest Bitcoin Core node, then spends it via a plain Bitcoin transaction
+// where the emulator co-signs after running the embedded arkade script.
 func TestSubmitOnchainTx(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 
@@ -93,12 +93,12 @@ func TestSubmitOnchainTx(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	tapAddrStr := tapAddr.EncodeAddress()
 
-	// --- Fund the address via nigiri ---
-	_, err = runCommand("nigiri", "faucet", tapAddrStr, "0.01")
+	// --- Fund the address via the regtest Bitcoin Core node ---
+	_, err = onchainFaucet(tapAddrStr, "0.01")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	explorerSvc, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer(
-		"http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest,
+		"http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest,
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -106,8 +106,7 @@ func TestSubmitOnchainTx(t *testing.T) {
 	fundingUtxo := waitForUtxo(t, explorerSvc, tapAddrStr, 60*time.Second)
 
 	// Mine a block so the funding tx is confirmed.
-	_, err = runCommand("nigiri", "rpc", "-generate", "1")
-	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, mineBlocks(1))
 
 	rawFundingHex, err := explorerSvc.GetTxHex(fundingUtxo.Txid)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -337,16 +336,13 @@ func TestSubmitOnchainTx(t *testing.T) {
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		exitAddrStr := exitAddr.EncodeAddress()
 
-		_, err = runCommand("nigiri", "faucet", exitAddrStr, "0.01")
+		_, err = onchainFaucet(exitAddrStr, "0.01")
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
 		exitUtxo := waitForUtxo(t, explorerSvc, exitAddrStr, 60*time.Second)
 
 		// Mine CSV + 1 blocks so the relative locktime is satisfied.
-		for i := uint32(0); i < csvBlocks+1; i++ {
-			_, err = runCommand("nigiri", "rpc", "-generate", "1")
-			require.NoError(t, err)
-		}
+		require.NoError(t, mineBlocks(int(csvBlocks+1)))
 
 		exitRawHex, err := explorerSvc.GetTxHex(exitUtxo.Txid)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
diff --git a/test/pay_2_out_test.go b/test/pay_2_out_test.go
index 5a9ff13..6c2c36c 100644
--- a/test/pay_2_out_test.go
+++ b/test/pay_2_out_test.go
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func TestPayToTwoOutputs(t *testing.T) {
 	aliceAddr, err := arklib.DecodeAddressV0(offchainAddr)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	_, err = runCommand("nigiri", "faucet", boardingAddress)
+	_, err = onchainFaucet(boardingAddress, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	time.Sleep(5 * time.Second)
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ func TestPayToTwoOutputs(t *testing.T) {
 		RevealedTapscripts: []string{hex.EncodeToString(arkadeTapscript)},
 	}
 
-	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// ========================================
diff --git a/test/recursive_covenant_test.go b/test/recursive_covenant_test.go
index 86583c3..54bf022 100644
--- a/test/recursive_covenant_test.go
+++ b/test/recursive_covenant_test.go
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ func TestRecursivePolicy(t *testing.T) {
 	alicePkScript, err := txscript.PayToTaprootScript(alicePubKey)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	submitAndFinalize := func(candidateTx *psbt.Packet, checkpoints []*psbt.Packet) {
diff --git a/test/signed_pay_to_output_test.go b/test/signed_pay_to_output_test.go
index aaaeaa5..61a68e9 100644
--- a/test/signed_pay_to_output_test.go
+++ b/test/signed_pay_to_output_test.go
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ func TestSignedPayToOutput(t *testing.T) {
 	indexerSvc := setupIndexer(t)
 
 	explorerSvc, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer(
-		"http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest,
+		"http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest,
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
diff --git a/test/tx_test.go b/test/tx_test.go
index 850078b..8414f13 100644
--- a/test/tx_test.go
+++ b/test/tx_test.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"net/http"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"testing"
@@ -90,7 +91,7 @@ func TestSubmitOffchain(t *testing.T) {
 	altIntroWallet, _, altIntroPubKey := setupWallet(t, ctx)
 	emulatorClient, emulatorPublicKey, _ := setupEmulatorClient(t, ctx)
 	indexerSvc := setupIndexer(t)
-	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	bobPaysAliceContract := createVtxoScriptWithArkadeScript(bobPubKey, aliceAddr.Signer, emulatorPublicKey, arkade.ArkadeScriptHash(mustPayAliceScript))
@@ -724,7 +725,7 @@ func TestSettlement(t *testing.T) {
 	encodedIntentProof, err := intentPtx.B64Encode()
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	signedIntentProof, err := bobWallet.SignTransaction(ctx, explorer, encodedIntentProof)
@@ -892,15 +893,13 @@ func TestBoarding(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// faucet the contract address with onchain funds
-	faucetOutput, err := runCommand("nigiri", "faucet", contractBtcAddr.EncodeAddress())
+	faucetTxid, err := onchainFaucet(contractBtcAddr.EncodeAddress(), "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	faucetTxid := strings.TrimSpace(strings.TrimPrefix(faucetOutput, "txId:"))
-
 	time.Sleep(5 * time.Second)
 
 	// get the raw transaction to find the contract output
-	rawTxHex, err := runCommand("nigiri", "rpc", "getrawtransaction", faucetTxid)
+	rawTxHex, err := bitcoinCli("getrawtransaction", faucetTxid)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	rawTxBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(strings.TrimSpace(rawTxHex))
@@ -991,7 +990,7 @@ func TestBoarding(t *testing.T) {
 	encodedIntentProof, err := intentPtx.B64Encode()
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	signedIntentProof, err := bobWallet.SignTransaction(ctx, explorer, encodedIntentProof)
@@ -1148,7 +1147,7 @@ func TestEmulatorRejectsInvalidArkadeScript(t *testing.T) {
 	checkpointScriptBytes, err := hex.DecodeString(infos.CheckpointTapscript)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorer, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	invalidArkadeScript, err := txscript.NewScriptBuilder().
@@ -1407,8 +1406,7 @@ func runCommand(name string, arg ...string) (string, error) {
 }
 
 func generateBlock() error {
-	_, err := runCommand("nigiri", "rpc", "--generate", "1")
-	return err
+	return mineBlocks(1)
 }
 
 var ErrAlreadySetup = errors.New("already setup")
@@ -1518,8 +1516,7 @@ func setupServerWalletAndCLI() error {
 	const numberOfFaucet = 15 // must cover the liquidity needed for all tests
 
 	for i := 0; i < numberOfFaucet; i++ {
-		_, err = runCommand("nigiri", "faucet", addr.Address)
-		if err != nil {
+		if _, err = onchainFaucet(addr.Address, ""); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("failed to fund wallet: %s", err)
 		}
 	}
@@ -1528,7 +1525,7 @@ func setupServerWalletAndCLI() error {
 
 	if _, err := runArkCommand(
 		"init", "--server-url", "localhost:7070", "--password", password,
-		"--explorer", "http://chopsticks:3000",
+		"--explorer", "http://mempool_web/api",
 	); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error initializing ark config: %s", err)
 	}
@@ -1558,6 +1555,52 @@ func runArkCommand(arg ...string) (string, error) {
 	return runDockerExec("arkd", args...)
 }
 
+// bitcoinCliArgs is the bitcoin-cli prefix used to drive the regtest Bitcoin
+// Core node inside the `bitcoin` container of the arkade-regtest stack.
+var bitcoinCliArgs = []string{
+	"exec", "bitcoin",
+	"bitcoin-cli", "-regtest", "-rpcuser=admin1", "-rpcpassword=123",
+}
+
+// bitcoinCli runs `bitcoin-cli <arg...>` inside the `bitcoin` container and
+// returns the trimmed stdout. It replaces the old `nigiri rpc <arg...>`
+// passthrough.
+func bitcoinCli(arg ...string) (string, error) {
+	args := append(append([]string{}, bitcoinCliArgs...), arg...)
+	out, err := runCommand("docker", args...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return strings.TrimSpace(out), nil
+}
+
+// mineBlocks mines n blocks to the node wallet (bitcoin-cli -generate n),
+// replacing the old `nigiri rpc -generate n`.
+func mineBlocks(n int) error {
+	_, err := bitcoinCli("-generate", strconv.Itoa(n))
+	return err
+}
+
+// onchainFaucet sends amountBtc to address from the Bitcoin Core node wallet
+// and mines one block to confirm it, then returns the funding txid. It replaces
+// the old `nigiri faucet <address> <amountBtc>` (nigiri auto-mined; the
+// arkade-regtest stack does not, so we mine 1 block here to preserve the
+// confirm-on-faucet behavior). Defaults to 1 BTC when amountBtc is empty,
+// matching nigiri's default faucet amount.
+func onchainFaucet(address, amountBtc string) (string, error) {
+	if amountBtc == "" {
+		amountBtc = "1"
+	}
+	txid, err := bitcoinCli("sendtoaddress", address, amountBtc)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if err := mineBlocks(1); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return strings.TrimSpace(txid), nil
+}
+
 func runDockerExec(container string, arg ...string) (string, error) {
 	args := append([]string{"exec", "-t", container}, arg...)
 	out, err := runCommand("docker", args...)
diff --git a/test/utils_test.go b/test/utils_test.go
index 535945c..7109c41 100644
--- a/test/utils_test.go
+++ b/test/utils_test.go
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@ func fundAndSettleAlice(t *testing.T, ctx context.Context, alice arksdk.ArkClien
 
 	amountBtc := strings.TrimSuffix(btcutil.Amount(amount).Format(btcutil.AmountBTC), " BTC")
 
-	_, err = runCommand("nigiri", "faucet", boardingAddress, amountBtc)
+	_, err = onchainFaucet(boardingAddress, amountBtc)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	time.Sleep(5 * time.Second)
@@ -603,7 +603,7 @@ func submitWithArkd(
 ) {
 	t.Helper()
 
-	explorerSvc, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
+	explorerSvc, err := mempoolexplorer.NewExplorer("http://localhost:3000/api", arklib.BitcoinRegTest)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	encodedTx, err := candidateTx.B64Encode()