diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 296baebb8cbc..061baa2e7cab 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -59,7 +59,6 @@ Ref: https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/
 * [\#9519](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9519) `DeleteDeposits` renamed to `DeleteAndBurnDeposits`, `RefundDeposits` renamed to `RefundAndDeleteDeposits`
 * (codec) [\#9521](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9521) Removed deprecated `clientCtx.JSONCodec` from `client.Context`.
 * (codec) [\#9521](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9521) Rename `EncodingConfig.Marshaler` to `Codec`.
-* [\#9418](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9418) `sdk.Msg`'s  `GetSigners()` method updated to return `[]string`.
 * [\#9594](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9594) `RESTHandlerFn` argument is removed from the `gov/NewProposalHandler`.
 * [\#9594](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9594) `types/rest` package moved to `testutil/rest`.
 * [\#9432](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9432) `ConsensusParamsKeyTable` moved from `params/keeper` to `params/types`
diff --git a/baseapp/baseapp.go b/baseapp/baseapp.go
index 903fe55f926e..d45656ac9879 100644
--- a/baseapp/baseapp.go
+++ b/baseapp/baseapp.go
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/store/rootmulti"
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
 	sdkerrors "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/errors"
-	sdktx "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/tx"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/migrations/legacytx"
 )
 
@@ -511,7 +510,7 @@ func validateBasicTxMsgs(msgs []sdk.Msg) error {
 	}
 
 	for _, msg := range msgs {
-		err := sdktx.ValidateMsg(msg)
+		err := msg.ValidateBasic()
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/baseapp/baseapp_test.go b/baseapp/baseapp_test.go
index 4520b231d079..85d07661a3e0 100644
--- a/baseapp/baseapp_test.go
+++ b/baseapp/baseapp_test.go
@@ -717,10 +717,10 @@ func (msg msgCounter) String() string { return "TODO" }
 func (msg msgCounter) ProtoMessage()  {}
 
 // Implements Msg
-func (msg msgCounter) Route() string        { return routeMsgCounter }
-func (msg msgCounter) Type() string         { return "counter1" }
-func (msg msgCounter) GetSignBytes() []byte { return nil }
-func (msg msgCounter) GetSigners() []string { return nil }
+func (msg msgCounter) Route() string                { return routeMsgCounter }
+func (msg msgCounter) Type() string                 { return "counter1" }
+func (msg msgCounter) GetSignBytes() []byte         { return nil }
+func (msg msgCounter) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress { return nil }
 func (msg msgCounter) ValidateBasic() error {
 	if msg.Counter >= 0 {
 		return nil
@@ -762,10 +762,10 @@ func (msg msgCounter2) String() string { return "TODO" }
 func (msg msgCounter2) ProtoMessage()  {}
 
 // Implements Msg
-func (msg msgCounter2) Route() string        { return routeMsgCounter2 }
-func (msg msgCounter2) Type() string         { return "counter2" }
-func (msg msgCounter2) GetSignBytes() []byte { return nil }
-func (msg msgCounter2) GetSigners() []string { return nil }
+func (msg msgCounter2) Route() string                { return routeMsgCounter2 }
+func (msg msgCounter2) Type() string                 { return "counter2" }
+func (msg msgCounter2) GetSignBytes() []byte         { return nil }
+func (msg msgCounter2) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress { return nil }
 func (msg msgCounter2) ValidateBasic() error {
 	if msg.Counter >= 0 {
 		return nil
@@ -779,13 +779,13 @@ type msgKeyValue struct {
 	Value []byte
 }
 
-func (msg msgKeyValue) Reset()               {}
-func (msg msgKeyValue) String() string       { return "TODO" }
-func (msg msgKeyValue) ProtoMessage()        {}
-func (msg msgKeyValue) Route() string        { return routeMsgKeyValue }
-func (msg msgKeyValue) Type() string         { return "keyValue" }
-func (msg msgKeyValue) GetSignBytes() []byte { return nil }
-func (msg msgKeyValue) GetSigners() []string { return nil }
+func (msg msgKeyValue) Reset()                       {}
+func (msg msgKeyValue) String() string               { return "TODO" }
+func (msg msgKeyValue) ProtoMessage()                {}
+func (msg msgKeyValue) Route() string                { return routeMsgKeyValue }
+func (msg msgKeyValue) Type() string                 { return "keyValue" }
+func (msg msgKeyValue) GetSignBytes() []byte         { return nil }
+func (msg msgKeyValue) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress { return nil }
 func (msg msgKeyValue) ValidateBasic() error {
 	if msg.Key == nil {
 		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidRequest, "key cannot be nil")
diff --git a/client/tx/tx.go b/client/tx/tx.go
index b6dffd727a0b..4adaaa0e1c7b 100644
--- a/client/tx/tx.go
+++ b/client/tx/tx.go
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func GenerateOrBroadcastTxWithFactory(clientCtx client.Context, txf Factory, msg
 	// Right now, we're factorizing that call inside this function.
 	// ref: https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/pull/9236#discussion_r623803504
 	for _, msg := range msgs {
-		if err := tx.ValidateMsg(msg); err != nil {
+		if err := msg.ValidateBasic(); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/server/mock/tx.go b/server/mock/tx.go
index 9bdadf46d0e9..0cb79c28986f 100644
--- a/server/mock/tx.go
+++ b/server/mock/tx.go
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func (tx kvstoreTx) ValidateBasic() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (tx kvstoreTx) GetSigners() []string {
+func (tx kvstoreTx) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/server/rosetta/converter.go b/server/rosetta/converter.go
index 54808821e247..4fdd87c75b67 100644
--- a/server/rosetta/converter.go
+++ b/server/rosetta/converter.go
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ func (c converter) Ops(status string, msg sdk.Msg) ([]*rosettatypes.Operation, e
 		op := &rosettatypes.Operation{
 			Type:     opName,
 			Status:   &status,
-			Account:  &rosettatypes.AccountIdentifier{Address: signer},
+			Account:  &rosettatypes.AccountIdentifier{Address: signer.String()},
 			Metadata: meta,
 		}
 
diff --git a/testutil/testdata/tx.go b/testutil/testdata/tx.go
index d4d2a758ebfb..e12f0467986e 100644
--- a/testutil/testdata/tx.go
+++ b/testutil/testdata/tx.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package testdata
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
+	sdkerrors "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/errors"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
@@ -62,12 +63,24 @@ func (msg *TestMsg) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 	}
 	return sdk.MustSortJSON(bz)
 }
-func (msg *TestMsg) GetSigners() []string {
-	return msg.Signers
+func (msg *TestMsg) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	signers := make([]sdk.AccAddress, 0, len(msg.Signers))
+	for _, addr := range msg.Signers {
+		a, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(addr)
+		signers = append(signers, a)
+	}
+	return signers
+}
+func (msg *TestMsg) ValidateBasic() error {
+	for _, addr := range msg.Signers {
+		if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(addr); err != nil {
+			return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid signer address: %s", err)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
 }
-func (msg *TestMsg) ValidateBasic() error { return nil }
 
 var _ sdk.Msg = &MsgCreateDog{}
 
-func (msg *MsgCreateDog) GetSigners() []string { return []string{} }
-func (msg *MsgCreateDog) ValidateBasic() error { return nil }
+func (msg *MsgCreateDog) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress { return []sdk.AccAddress{} }
+func (msg *MsgCreateDog) ValidateBasic() error         { return nil }
diff --git a/types/tx/types.go b/types/tx/types.go
index b8b23ddb7f87..f961794cb8a7 100644
--- a/types/tx/types.go
+++ b/types/tx/types.go
@@ -97,14 +97,9 @@ func (t *Tx) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
 
 	for _, msg := range t.GetMsgs() {
 		for _, addr := range msg.GetSigners() {
-			if !seen[addr] {
-				signer, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(addr)
-				if err != nil {
-					panic(err)
-				}
-
-				signers = append(signers, signer)
-				seen[addr] = true
+			if !seen[addr.String()] {
+				signers = append(signers, addr)
+				seen[addr.String()] = true
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -195,22 +190,3 @@ func RegisterInterfaces(registry codectypes.InterfaceRegistry) {
 	registry.RegisterInterface("cosmos.tx.v1beta1.Tx", (*sdk.Tx)(nil))
 	registry.RegisterImplementations((*sdk.Tx)(nil), &Tx{})
 }
-
-// ValidateMsg calls the `sdk.Msg.ValidateBasic()`
-// also validates all the signers are valid bech32 addresses.
-func ValidateMsg(msg sdk.Msg) error {
-	err := msg.ValidateBasic()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	signers := msg.GetSigners()
-	for _, signer := range signers {
-		_, err = sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(signer)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
diff --git a/types/tx/types_test.go b/types/tx/types_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index c5f2660ce2ce..000000000000
--- a/types/tx/types_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,43 +0,0 @@
-package tx_test
-
-import (
-	"testing"
-
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/testutil/testdata"
-	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/tx"
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/suite"
-)
-
-type testMsgSuite struct {
-	suite.Suite
-}
-
-func TestValidateMsg(t *testing.T) {
-	suite.Run(t, new(testMsgSuite))
-}
-
-func (s *testMsgSuite) TestMsg() {
-	cases := []struct {
-		signer []byte
-		expErr bool
-	}{
-		{
-			[]byte(""),
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			[]byte("validAddress"),
-			false,
-		},
-	}
-
-	for _, c := range cases {
-		msg := testdata.NewTestMsg(c.signer)
-		err := tx.ValidateMsg(msg)
-		if c.expErr {
-			s.Require().Error(err)
-		} else {
-			s.Require().NoError(err)
-		}
-	}
-}
diff --git a/types/tx_msg.go b/types/tx_msg.go
index ae84b9e4fed6..42d01fdc55ee 100644
--- a/types/tx_msg.go
+++ b/types/tx_msg.go
@@ -15,10 +15,10 @@ type (
 		// doesn't require access to any other information.
 		ValidateBasic() error
 
-		// Signers returns the bech32-encoded addrs of signers that must sign.
+		// Signers returns the addrs of signers that must sign.
 		// CONTRACT: All signatures must be present to be valid.
 		// CONTRACT: Returns addrs in some deterministic order.
-		GetSigners() []string
+		GetSigners() []AccAddress
 	}
 
 	// Fee defines an interface for an application application-defined concrete
diff --git a/types/tx_msg_test.go b/types/tx_msg_test.go
index 1fb0e387c1db..7e72035d5175 100644
--- a/types/tx_msg_test.go
+++ b/types/tx_msg_test.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ func (s *testMsgSuite) TestMsg() {
 
 	msg := testdata.NewTestMsg(accAddr)
 	s.Require().NotNil(msg)
-	s.Require().Equal([]string{accAddr.String()}, msg.GetSigners())
+	s.Require().True(accAddr.Equals(msg.GetSigners()[0]))
 	s.Require().Equal("TestMsg", msg.Route())
 	s.Require().Equal("Test message", msg.Type())
 	s.Require().Nil(msg.ValidateBasic())
diff --git a/x/auth/ante/basic.go b/x/auth/ante/basic.go
index d456b8b1b230..d42aed214444 100644
--- a/x/auth/ante/basic.go
+++ b/x/auth/ante/basic.go
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import (
 	authsigning "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/x/auth/signing"
 )
 
-// ValidateBasicDecorator will call tx.ValidateBasic, ValidateMsg(for each msg inside tx)
+// ValidateBasicDecorator will call tx.ValidateBasic, msg.ValidateBasic(for each msg inside tx)
 // and return any non-nil error.
 // If ValidateBasic passes, decorator calls next AnteHandler in chain. Note,
 // ValidateBasicDecorator decorator will not get executed on ReCheckTx since it
diff --git a/x/auth/migrations/legacytx/stdtx.go b/x/auth/migrations/legacytx/stdtx.go
index d213fcac9c6b..55ec38e603cc 100644
--- a/x/auth/migrations/legacytx/stdtx.go
+++ b/x/auth/migrations/legacytx/stdtx.go
@@ -143,13 +143,9 @@ func (tx StdTx) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
 
 	for _, msg := range tx.GetMsgs() {
 		for _, addr := range msg.GetSigners() {
-			if !seen[addr] {
-				signer, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(addr)
-				if err != nil {
-					panic(err)
-				}
-				signers = append(signers, signer)
-				seen[addr] = true
+			if !seen[addr.String()] {
+				signers = append(signers, addr)
+				seen[addr.String()] = true
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/x/auth/vesting/types/msgs.go b/x/auth/vesting/types/msgs.go
index 51c85f0695e1..4a0034901e0d 100644
--- a/x/auth/vesting/types/msgs.go
+++ b/x/auth/vesting/types/msgs.go
@@ -30,20 +30,11 @@ func (msg MsgCreateVestingAccount) Type() string { return TypeMsgCreateVestingAc
 
 // ValidateBasic Implements Msg.
 func (msg MsgCreateVestingAccount) ValidateBasic() error {
-	from, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.FromAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.FromAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid 'from' address: %s", err)
 	}
-	to, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.ToAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	if err := sdk.VerifyAddressFormat(from); err != nil {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrapf(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "invalid sender address: %s", err)
-	}
-
-	if err := sdk.VerifyAddressFormat(to); err != nil {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrapf(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "invalid recipient address: %s", err)
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.ToAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid 'to' address: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	if !msg.Amount.IsValid() {
@@ -68,6 +59,7 @@ func (msg MsgCreateVestingAccount) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners returns the expected signers for a MsgCreateVestingAccount.
-func (msg MsgCreateVestingAccount) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.FromAddress}
+func (msg MsgCreateVestingAccount) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	addr, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.FromAddress)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{addr}
 }
diff --git a/x/authz/keeper/keeper.go b/x/authz/keeper/keeper.go
index 1d71479f01c9..e166a63e5806 100644
--- a/x/authz/keeper/keeper.go
+++ b/x/authz/keeper/keeper.go
@@ -79,10 +79,8 @@ func (k Keeper) DispatchActions(ctx sdk.Context, grantee sdk.AccAddress, msgs []
 		if len(signers) != 1 {
 			return nil, sdkerrors.ErrInvalidRequest.Wrap("authorization can be given to msg with only one signer")
 		}
-		granter, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(signers[0])
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
+		granter := signers[0]
+
 		// if granter != grantee then check authorization.Accept, otherwise we implicitly accept.
 		if !granter.Equals(grantee) {
 			authorization, _ := k.GetCleanAuthorization(ctx, grantee, granter, sdk.MsgTypeURL(msg))
diff --git a/x/authz/msgs.go b/x/authz/msgs.go
index a2de4b618663..8ec3c3f00622 100644
--- a/x/authz/msgs.go
+++ b/x/authz/msgs.go
@@ -42,19 +42,20 @@ func NewMsgGrant(granter sdk.AccAddress, grantee sdk.AccAddress, a Authorization
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (msg MsgGrant) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.Granter}
+func (msg MsgGrant) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	granter, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Granter)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{granter}
 }
 
 // ValidateBasic implements Msg
 func (msg MsgGrant) ValidateBasic() error {
 	granter, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Granter)
 	if err != nil {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "invalid granter address")
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid granter address: %s", err)
 	}
 	grantee, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Grantee)
 	if err != nil {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "invalid granter address")
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid grantee address: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	if granter.Equals(grantee) {
@@ -126,19 +127,20 @@ func NewMsgRevoke(granter sdk.AccAddress, grantee sdk.AccAddress, msgTypeURL str
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (msg MsgRevoke) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.Granter}
+func (msg MsgRevoke) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	granter, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Granter)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{granter}
 }
 
 // ValidateBasic implements MsgRequest.ValidateBasic
 func (msg MsgRevoke) ValidateBasic() error {
 	granter, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Granter)
 	if err != nil {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "invalid granter address")
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid granter address: %s", err)
 	}
 	grantee, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Grantee)
 	if err != nil {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "invalid grantee address")
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid grantee address: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	if granter.Equals(grantee) {
@@ -201,15 +203,15 @@ func (msg MsgExec) GetMessages() ([]sdk.Msg, error) {
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (msg MsgExec) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.Grantee}
+func (msg MsgExec) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	grantee, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Grantee)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{grantee}
 }
 
 // ValidateBasic implements Msg
 func (msg MsgExec) ValidateBasic() error {
-	_, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Grantee)
-	if err != nil {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "invalid grantee address")
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Grantee); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid grantee address: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	if len(msg.Msgs) == 0 {
diff --git a/x/bank/types/msgs.go b/x/bank/types/msgs.go
index 9a7d6fccedd8..8030e04519f3 100644
--- a/x/bank/types/msgs.go
+++ b/x/bank/types/msgs.go
@@ -27,14 +27,12 @@ func (msg MsgSend) Type() string { return TypeMsgSend }
 
 // ValidateBasic Implements Msg.
 func (msg MsgSend) ValidateBasic() error {
-	_, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.FromAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrapf(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "Invalid sender address (%s)", err)
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.FromAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid from address: %s", err)
 	}
 
-	_, err = sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.ToAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrapf(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "Invalid recipient address (%s)", err)
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.ToAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid to address: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	if !msg.Amount.IsValid() {
@@ -54,8 +52,9 @@ func (msg MsgSend) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners Implements Msg.
-func (msg MsgSend) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.FromAddress}
+func (msg MsgSend) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	fromAddress, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.FromAddress)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{fromAddress}
 }
 
 var _ sdk.Msg = &MsgMultiSend{}
@@ -92,10 +91,11 @@ func (msg MsgMultiSend) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners Implements Msg.
-func (msg MsgMultiSend) GetSigners() []string {
-	addrs := make([]string, len(msg.Inputs))
+func (msg MsgMultiSend) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	addrs := make([]sdk.AccAddress, len(msg.Inputs))
 	for i, in := range msg.Inputs {
-		addrs[i] = in.Address
+		inAddr, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(in.Address)
+		addrs[i] = inAddr
 	}
 
 	return addrs
@@ -103,9 +103,8 @@ func (msg MsgMultiSend) GetSigners() []string {
 
 // ValidateBasic - validate transaction input
 func (in Input) ValidateBasic() error {
-	_, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(in.Address)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(in.Address); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid input address: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	if !in.Coins.IsValid() {
@@ -130,9 +129,8 @@ func NewInput(addr sdk.AccAddress, coins sdk.Coins) Input {
 
 // ValidateBasic - validate transaction output
 func (out Output) ValidateBasic() error {
-	_, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(out.Address)
-	if err != nil {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrapf(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "Invalid output address (%s)", err)
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(out.Address); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid output address: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	if !out.Coins.IsValid() {
diff --git a/x/bank/types/msgs_test.go b/x/bank/types/msgs_test.go
index 0deaf09b2932..d11f78711591 100644
--- a/x/bank/types/msgs_test.go
+++ b/x/bank/types/msgs_test.go
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package types
 
 import (
-	"fmt"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
@@ -40,8 +39,8 @@ func TestMsgSendValidation(t *testing.T) {
 		{"", NewMsgSend(addr1, addrLong, atom123)},                             // valid send with long addr recipient
 		{": invalid coins", NewMsgSend(addr1, addr2, atom0)},                   // non positive coin
 		{"123atom,0eth: invalid coins", NewMsgSend(addr1, addr2, atom123eth0)}, // non positive coin in multicoins
-		{"Invalid sender address (empty address string is not allowed): invalid address", NewMsgSend(addrEmpty, addr2, atom123)},
-		{"Invalid recipient address (empty address string is not allowed): invalid address", NewMsgSend(addr1, addrEmpty, atom123)},
+		{"invalid from address: empty address string is not allowed: invalid address", NewMsgSend(addrEmpty, addr2, atom123)},
+		{"invalid to address: empty address string is not allowed: invalid address", NewMsgSend(addr1, addrEmpty, atom123)},
 	}
 
 	for _, tc := range cases {
@@ -104,7 +103,7 @@ func TestInputValidation(t *testing.T) {
 		{"", NewInput(addr2, multiCoins)},
 		{"", NewInput(addrLong, someCoins)},
 
-		{"empty address string is not allowed", NewInput(addrEmpty, someCoins)},
+		{"invalid input address: empty address string is not allowed: invalid address", NewInput(addrEmpty, someCoins)},
 		{": invalid coins", NewInput(addr1, emptyCoins)},                // invalid coins
 		{": invalid coins", NewInput(addr1, emptyCoins2)},               // invalid coins
 		{"10eth,0atom: invalid coins", NewInput(addr1, someEmptyCoins)}, // invalid coins
@@ -145,7 +144,7 @@ func TestOutputValidation(t *testing.T) {
 		{"", NewOutput(addr2, multiCoins)},
 		{"", NewOutput(addrLong, someCoins)},
 
-		{"Invalid output address (empty address string is not allowed): invalid address", NewOutput(addrEmpty, someCoins)},
+		{"invalid output address: empty address string is not allowed: invalid address", NewOutput(addrEmpty, someCoins)},
 		{": invalid coins", NewOutput(addr1, emptyCoins)},                // invalid coins
 		{": invalid coins", NewOutput(addr1, emptyCoins2)},               // invalid coins
 		{"10eth,0atom: invalid coins", NewOutput(addr1, someEmptyCoins)}, // invalid coins
@@ -241,12 +240,15 @@ func TestMsgMultiSendGetSigners(t *testing.T) {
 	var msg = NewMsgMultiSend(inputs, nil)
 
 	res := msg.GetSigners()
-	require.Equal(t, fmt.Sprintf("%v", addrs), fmt.Sprintf("%v", res))
+	for i, signer := range res {
+		require.Equal(t, signer.String(), addrs[i])
+	}
 }
 
 func TestMsgSendGetSigners(t *testing.T) {
 	from := sdk.AccAddress([]byte("input111111111111111"))
 	msg := NewMsgSend(from, sdk.AccAddress{}, sdk.NewCoins())
 	res := msg.GetSigners()
-	require.Equal(t, fmt.Sprintf("%v", res), fmt.Sprintf("%v", []string{from.String()}))
+	require.Equal(t, 1, len(res))
+	require.True(t, from.Equals(res[0]))
 }
diff --git a/x/crisis/types/msgs.go b/x/crisis/types/msgs.go
index f21fd5e500a0..a5450b010e7f 100644
--- a/x/crisis/types/msgs.go
+++ b/x/crisis/types/msgs.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package types
 
 import (
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
+	sdkerrors "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/errors"
 )
 
 // ensure Msg interface compliance at compile time
@@ -21,8 +22,9 @@ func (msg MsgVerifyInvariant) Route() string { return ModuleName }
 func (msg MsgVerifyInvariant) Type() string  { return "verify_invariant" }
 
 // get the bytes for the message signer to sign on
-func (msg MsgVerifyInvariant) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.Sender}
+func (msg MsgVerifyInvariant) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	sender, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Sender)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{sender}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes gets the sign bytes for the msg MsgVerifyInvariant
@@ -33,8 +35,8 @@ func (msg MsgVerifyInvariant) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 
 // quick validity check
 func (msg MsgVerifyInvariant) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.Sender == "" {
-		return ErrNoSender
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Sender); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid sender address: %s", err)
 	}
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/x/distribution/types/msg.go b/x/distribution/types/msg.go
index ad9c6afe8feb..2071ca0282e8 100644
--- a/x/distribution/types/msg.go
+++ b/x/distribution/types/msg.go
@@ -27,8 +27,9 @@ func (msg MsgSetWithdrawAddress) Route() string { return ModuleName }
 func (msg MsgSetWithdrawAddress) Type() string  { return TypeMsgSetWithdrawAddress }
 
 // Return address that must sign over msg.GetSignBytes()
-func (msg MsgSetWithdrawAddress) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.DelegatorAddress}
+func (msg MsgSetWithdrawAddress) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	delegator, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{delegator}
 }
 
 // get the bytes for the message signer to sign on
@@ -39,11 +40,11 @@ func (msg MsgSetWithdrawAddress) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 
 // quick validity check
 func (msg MsgSetWithdrawAddress) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.DelegatorAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyDelegatorAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid delegator address: %s", err)
 	}
-	if msg.WithdrawAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyWithdrawAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.WithdrawAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid withdraw address: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -60,8 +61,9 @@ func (msg MsgWithdrawDelegatorReward) Route() string { return ModuleName }
 func (msg MsgWithdrawDelegatorReward) Type() string  { return TypeMsgWithdrawDelegatorReward }
 
 // Return address that must sign over msg.GetSignBytes()
-func (msg MsgWithdrawDelegatorReward) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.DelegatorAddress}
+func (msg MsgWithdrawDelegatorReward) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	delegator, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{delegator}
 }
 
 // get the bytes for the message signer to sign on
@@ -72,11 +74,11 @@ func (msg MsgWithdrawDelegatorReward) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 
 // quick validity check
 func (msg MsgWithdrawDelegatorReward) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.DelegatorAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyDelegatorAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid delegator address: %s", err)
 	}
-	if msg.ValidatorAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyValidatorAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid validator address: %s", err)
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -91,12 +93,9 @@ func (msg MsgWithdrawValidatorCommission) Route() string { return ModuleName }
 func (msg MsgWithdrawValidatorCommission) Type() string  { return TypeMsgWithdrawValidatorCommission }
 
 // Return address that must sign over msg.GetSignBytes()
-func (msg MsgWithdrawValidatorCommission) GetSigners() []string {
-	valAddr, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []string{sdk.AccAddress(valAddr).String()}
+func (msg MsgWithdrawValidatorCommission) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	valAddr, _ := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{sdk.AccAddress(valAddr)}
 }
 
 // get the bytes for the message signer to sign on
@@ -107,8 +106,8 @@ func (msg MsgWithdrawValidatorCommission) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 
 // quick validity check
 func (msg MsgWithdrawValidatorCommission) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.ValidatorAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyValidatorAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid validator address: %s", err)
 	}
 	return nil
 }
@@ -130,8 +129,9 @@ func (msg MsgFundCommunityPool) Type() string { return TypeMsgFundCommunityPool
 
 // GetSigners returns the signer addresses that are expected to sign the result
 // of GetSignBytes.
-func (msg MsgFundCommunityPool) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.Depositor}
+func (msg MsgFundCommunityPool) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	depositor, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Depositor)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{depositor}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes returns the raw bytes for a MsgFundCommunityPool message that
@@ -146,9 +146,8 @@ func (msg MsgFundCommunityPool) ValidateBasic() error {
 	if !msg.Amount.IsValid() {
 		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidCoins, msg.Amount.String())
 	}
-	if msg.Depositor == "" {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, msg.Depositor)
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Depositor); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid depositor address: %s", err)
 	}
-
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/x/evidence/types/msgs.go b/x/evidence/types/msgs.go
index 7581f6e09f76..89b0d414d05d 100644
--- a/x/evidence/types/msgs.go
+++ b/x/evidence/types/msgs.go
@@ -44,8 +44,8 @@ func (m MsgSubmitEvidence) Type() string { return TypeMsgSubmitEvidence }
 
 // ValidateBasic performs basic (non-state-dependant) validation on a MsgSubmitEvidence.
 func (m MsgSubmitEvidence) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if m.Submitter == "" {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, m.Submitter)
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(m.Submitter); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid submitter address: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	evi := m.GetEvidence()
@@ -66,8 +66,9 @@ func (m MsgSubmitEvidence) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners returns the single expected signer for a MsgSubmitEvidence.
-func (m MsgSubmitEvidence) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{m.Submitter}
+func (m MsgSubmitEvidence) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	submitter, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(m.Submitter)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{submitter}
 }
 
 func (m MsgSubmitEvidence) GetEvidence() exported.Evidence {
diff --git a/x/evidence/types/msgs_test.go b/x/evidence/types/msgs_test.go
index c0dcd224aebf..b591e7fc86ab 100644
--- a/x/evidence/types/msgs_test.go
+++ b/x/evidence/types/msgs_test.go
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ func TestMsgSubmitEvidence(t *testing.T) {
 		require.Equal(t, tc.expectErr, tc.msg.ValidateBasic() != nil, "unexpected result for tc #%d", i)
 
 		if !tc.expectErr {
-			require.Equal(t, tc.msg.GetSigners(), []string{tc.submitter.String()}, "unexpected result for tc #%d", i)
+			require.Equal(t, tc.msg.GetSigners(), []sdk.AccAddress{tc.submitter}, "unexpected result for tc #%d", i)
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/x/feegrant/msgs.go b/x/feegrant/msgs.go
index 72741a3db472..703ceccef0ef 100644
--- a/x/feegrant/msgs.go
+++ b/x/feegrant/msgs.go
@@ -38,16 +38,15 @@ func NewMsgGrantAllowance(feeAllowance FeeAllowanceI, granter, grantee sdk.AccAd
 
 // ValidateBasic implements the sdk.Msg interface.
 func (msg MsgGrantAllowance) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.Granter == "" {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "missing granter address")
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Granter); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid granter address: %s", err)
 	}
-	if msg.Grantee == "" {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "missing grantee address")
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Grantee); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid grantee address: %s", err)
 	}
 	if msg.Grantee == msg.Granter {
 		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "cannot self-grant fee authorization")
 	}
-
 	allowance, err := msg.GetFeeAllowanceI()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -57,8 +56,9 @@ func (msg MsgGrantAllowance) ValidateBasic() error {
 }
 
 // GetSigners gets the granter account associated with an allowance
-func (msg MsgGrantAllowance) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.Granter}
+func (msg MsgGrantAllowance) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	granter, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Granter)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{granter}
 }
 
 // Type implements the LegacyMsg.Type method.
@@ -101,11 +101,11 @@ func NewMsgRevokeAllowance(granter sdk.AccAddress, grantee sdk.AccAddress) MsgRe
 
 // ValidateBasic implements the sdk.Msg interface.
 func (msg MsgRevokeAllowance) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.Granter == "" {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "missing granter address")
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Granter); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid granter address: %s", err)
 	}
-	if msg.Grantee == "" {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "missing grantee address")
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Grantee); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid grantee address: %s", err)
 	}
 	if msg.Grantee == msg.Granter {
 		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, "addresses must be different")
@@ -116,8 +116,9 @@ func (msg MsgRevokeAllowance) ValidateBasic() error {
 
 // GetSigners gets the granter address associated with an Allowance
 // to revoke.
-func (msg MsgRevokeAllowance) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.Granter}
+func (msg MsgRevokeAllowance) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	granter, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Granter)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{granter}
 }
 
 // Type implements the LegacyMsg.Type method.
diff --git a/x/feegrant/msgs_test.go b/x/feegrant/msgs_test.go
index 2e7d8e654dd7..402687274c86 100644
--- a/x/feegrant/msgs_test.go
+++ b/x/feegrant/msgs_test.go
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func TestMsgGrantAllowance(t *testing.T) {
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 
 			addrSlice := msg.GetSigners()
-			require.Equal(t, tc.granter.String(), addrSlice[0])
+			require.True(t, tc.granter.Equals(addrSlice[0]))
 
 			allowance, err := msg.GetFeeAllowanceI()
 			require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ func TestMsgRevokeAllowance(t *testing.T) {
 		if tc.valid {
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 			addrSlice := msg.GetSigners()
-			require.Equal(t, tc.granter.String(), addrSlice[0])
+			require.True(t, tc.granter.Equals(addrSlice[0]))
 		} else {
 			require.Error(t, err)
 		}
diff --git a/x/genutil/client/testutil/suite.go b/x/genutil/client/testutil/suite.go
index 41aeed9444f8..99f007de002e 100644
--- a/x/genutil/client/testutil/suite.go
+++ b/x/genutil/client/testutil/suite.go
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func (s *IntegrationTestSuite) TestGenTxCmd() {
 	s.Require().Len(msgs, 1)
 
 	s.Require().Equal(sdk.MsgTypeURL(&types.MsgCreateValidator{}), sdk.MsgTypeURL(msgs[0]))
-	s.Require().Equal([]string{val.Address.String()}, msgs[0].GetSigners())
+	s.Require().True(val.Address.Equals(msgs[0].GetSigners()[0]))
 	s.Require().Equal(amount, msgs[0].(*types.MsgCreateValidator).Value)
 	s.Require().NoError(tx.ValidateBasic())
 }
diff --git a/x/gov/types/msgs.go b/x/gov/types/msgs.go
index ba86026637c2..d85964345376 100644
--- a/x/gov/types/msgs.go
+++ b/x/gov/types/msgs.go
@@ -83,8 +83,8 @@ func (m MsgSubmitProposal) Type() string { return TypeMsgSubmitProposal }
 
 // ValidateBasic implements Msg
 func (m MsgSubmitProposal) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if m.Proposer == "" {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, m.Proposer)
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(m.Proposer); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid proposer address: %s", err)
 	}
 	if !m.InitialDeposit.IsValid() {
 		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidCoins, m.InitialDeposit.String())
@@ -114,8 +114,9 @@ func (m MsgSubmitProposal) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (m MsgSubmitProposal) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{m.Proposer}
+func (m MsgSubmitProposal) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	proposer, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(m.Proposer)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{proposer}
 }
 
 // String implements the Stringer interface
@@ -144,8 +145,8 @@ func (msg MsgDeposit) Type() string { return TypeMsgDeposit }
 
 // ValidateBasic implements Msg
 func (msg MsgDeposit) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.Depositor == "" {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, msg.Depositor)
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Depositor); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid depositor address: %s", err)
 	}
 	if !msg.Amount.IsValid() {
 		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidCoins, msg.Amount.String())
@@ -170,8 +171,9 @@ func (msg MsgDeposit) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (msg MsgDeposit) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.Depositor}
+func (msg MsgDeposit) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	depositor, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Depositor)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{depositor}
 }
 
 // NewMsgVote creates a message to cast a vote on an active proposal
@@ -188,10 +190,9 @@ func (msg MsgVote) Type() string { return TypeMsgVote }
 
 // ValidateBasic implements Msg
 func (msg MsgVote) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.Voter == "" {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, msg.Voter)
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Voter); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid voter address: %s", err)
 	}
-
 	if !ValidVoteOption(msg.Option) {
 		return sdkerrors.Wrap(ErrInvalidVote, msg.Option.String())
 	}
@@ -212,8 +213,9 @@ func (msg MsgVote) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (msg MsgVote) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.Voter}
+func (msg MsgVote) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	voter, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Voter)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{voter}
 }
 
 // NewMsgVoteWeighted creates a message to cast a vote on an active proposal
@@ -230,10 +232,9 @@ func (msg MsgVoteWeighted) Type() string { return TypeMsgVoteWeighted }
 
 // ValidateBasic implements Msg
 func (msg MsgVoteWeighted) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.Voter == "" {
-		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress, msg.Voter)
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Voter); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid voter address: %s", err)
 	}
-
 	if len(msg.Options) == 0 {
 		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidRequest, WeightedVoteOptions(msg.Options).String())
 	}
@@ -275,6 +276,7 @@ func (msg MsgVoteWeighted) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 }
 
 // GetSigners implements Msg
-func (msg MsgVoteWeighted) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.Voter}
+func (msg MsgVoteWeighted) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	voter, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.Voter)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{voter}
 }
diff --git a/x/slashing/types/msg.go b/x/slashing/types/msg.go
index b24be89b97e5..91a15f72dbd4 100644
--- a/x/slashing/types/msg.go
+++ b/x/slashing/types/msg.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package types
 
 import (
 	sdk "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types"
+	sdkerrors "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/types/errors"
 )
 
 // slashing message types
@@ -22,12 +23,9 @@ func NewMsgUnjail(validatorAddr sdk.ValAddress) *MsgUnjail {
 
 func (msg MsgUnjail) Route() string { return RouterKey }
 func (msg MsgUnjail) Type() string  { return TypeMsgUnjail }
-func (msg MsgUnjail) GetSigners() []string {
-	valAddr, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddr)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []string{sdk.AccAddress(valAddr).String()}
+func (msg MsgUnjail) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	valAddr, _ := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddr)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{sdk.AccAddress(valAddr)}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes gets the bytes for the message signer to sign on
@@ -38,9 +36,8 @@ func (msg MsgUnjail) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 
 // ValidateBasic validity check for the AnteHandler
 func (msg MsgUnjail) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.ValidatorAddr == "" {
-		return ErrBadValidatorAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddr); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("validator input address: %s", err)
 	}
-
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/x/staking/types/msg.go b/x/staking/types/msg.go
index 5dc76ae2e7c5..77eaf668befc 100644
--- a/x/staking/types/msg.go
+++ b/x/staking/types/msg.go
@@ -60,16 +60,14 @@ func (msg MsgCreateValidator) Type() string { return TypeMsgCreateValidator }
 // must sign over msg.GetSignBytes().
 // If the validator address is not same as delegator's, then the validator must
 // sign the msg as well.
-func (msg MsgCreateValidator) GetSigners() []string {
+func (msg MsgCreateValidator) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
 	// delegator is first signer so delegator pays fees
-	addrs := []string{msg.DelegatorAddress}
-	valAddr, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
+	delegator, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress)
+	addrs := []sdk.AccAddress{delegator}
+	valAddr, _ := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress)
 
-	valAccAddr := sdk.AccAddress(valAddr).String()
-	if msg.DelegatorAddress != valAccAddr {
+	valAccAddr := sdk.AccAddress(valAddr)
+	if !delegator.Equals(valAccAddr) {
 		addrs = append(addrs, valAccAddr)
 	}
 
@@ -84,22 +82,14 @@ func (msg MsgCreateValidator) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 
 // ValidateBasic implements the sdk.Msg interface.
 func (msg MsgCreateValidator) ValidateBasic() error {
-	// note that unmarshaling from bech32 ensures either empty or valid
+	// note that unmarshaling from bech32 ensures both non-empty and valid
 	delAddr, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid delegator address: %s", err)
 	}
-	if delAddr.Empty() {
-		return ErrEmptyDelegatorAddr
-	}
-
-	if msg.ValidatorAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyValidatorAddr
-	}
-
 	valAddr, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid validator address: %s", err)
 	}
 	if !sdk.AccAddress(valAddr).Equals(delAddr) {
 		return sdkerrors.Wrap(sdkerrors.ErrInvalidRequest, "validator address is invalid")
@@ -163,12 +153,9 @@ func (msg MsgEditValidator) Route() string { return RouterKey }
 func (msg MsgEditValidator) Type() string { return TypeMsgEditValidator }
 
 // GetSigners implements the sdk.Msg interface.
-func (msg MsgEditValidator) GetSigners() []string {
-	valAddr, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	return []string{sdk.AccAddress(valAddr).String()}
+func (msg MsgEditValidator) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	valAddr, _ := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{sdk.AccAddress(valAddr)}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes implements the sdk.Msg interface.
@@ -179,8 +166,8 @@ func (msg MsgEditValidator) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 
 // ValidateBasic implements the sdk.Msg interface.
 func (msg MsgEditValidator) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.ValidatorAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyValidatorAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid validator address: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	if msg.Description == (Description{}) {
@@ -220,8 +207,9 @@ func (msg MsgDelegate) Route() string { return RouterKey }
 func (msg MsgDelegate) Type() string { return TypeMsgDelegate }
 
 // GetSigners implements the sdk.Msg interface.
-func (msg MsgDelegate) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.DelegatorAddress}
+func (msg MsgDelegate) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	delegator, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{delegator}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes implements the sdk.Msg interface.
@@ -232,12 +220,11 @@ func (msg MsgDelegate) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 
 // ValidateBasic implements the sdk.Msg interface.
 func (msg MsgDelegate) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.DelegatorAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyDelegatorAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid delegator address: %s", err)
 	}
-
-	if msg.ValidatorAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyValidatorAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid validator address: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	if !msg.Amount.IsValid() || !msg.Amount.Amount.IsPositive() {
@@ -270,8 +257,9 @@ func (msg MsgBeginRedelegate) Route() string { return RouterKey }
 func (msg MsgBeginRedelegate) Type() string { return TypeMsgBeginRedelegate }
 
 // GetSigners implements the sdk.Msg interface
-func (msg MsgBeginRedelegate) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.DelegatorAddress}
+func (msg MsgBeginRedelegate) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	delegator, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{delegator}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes implements the sdk.Msg interface.
@@ -282,16 +270,14 @@ func (msg MsgBeginRedelegate) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 
 // ValidateBasic implements the sdk.Msg interface.
 func (msg MsgBeginRedelegate) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.DelegatorAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyDelegatorAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid delegator address: %s", err)
 	}
-
-	if msg.ValidatorSrcAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyValidatorAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorSrcAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid source validator address: %s", err)
 	}
-
-	if msg.ValidatorDstAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyValidatorAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorDstAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid destination validator address: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	if !msg.Amount.IsValid() || !msg.Amount.Amount.IsPositive() {
@@ -321,8 +307,9 @@ func (msg MsgUndelegate) Route() string { return RouterKey }
 func (msg MsgUndelegate) Type() string { return TypeMsgUndelegate }
 
 // GetSigners implements the sdk.Msg interface.
-func (msg MsgUndelegate) GetSigners() []string {
-	return []string{msg.DelegatorAddress}
+func (msg MsgUndelegate) GetSigners() []sdk.AccAddress {
+	delegator, _ := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress)
+	return []sdk.AccAddress{delegator}
 }
 
 // GetSignBytes implements the sdk.Msg interface.
@@ -333,12 +320,11 @@ func (msg MsgUndelegate) GetSignBytes() []byte {
 
 // ValidateBasic implements the sdk.Msg interface.
 func (msg MsgUndelegate) ValidateBasic() error {
-	if msg.DelegatorAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyDelegatorAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.AccAddressFromBech32(msg.DelegatorAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid delegator address: %s", err)
 	}
-
-	if msg.ValidatorAddress == "" {
-		return ErrEmptyValidatorAddr
+	if _, err := sdk.ValAddressFromBech32(msg.ValidatorAddress); err != nil {
+		return sdkerrors.ErrInvalidAddress.Wrapf("invalid validator address: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	if !msg.Amount.IsValid() || !msg.Amount.Amount.IsPositive() {