diff --git a/core/types/hashing.go b/core/types/hashing.go
index 224d7a87eafc..5e465edc08ea 100644
--- a/core/types/hashing.go
+++ b/core/types/hashing.go
@@ -81,6 +81,9 @@ func prefixedRlpHash(prefix byte, x interface{}) (h common.Hash) {
 type TrieHasher interface {
 	Reset()
 	Update([]byte, []byte) error
+	// UpdateSafe is identical to Update, except that this method will copy the
+	// value slice. The caller is free to modify the value bytes after this method returns.
+	UpdateSafe([]byte, []byte) error
 	Hash() common.Hash
 }
 
@@ -95,10 +98,7 @@ type DerivableList interface {
 func encodeForDerive(list DerivableList, i int, buf *bytes.Buffer) []byte {
 	buf.Reset()
 	list.EncodeIndex(i, buf)
-	// It's really unfortunate that we need to perform this copy.
-	// StackTrie holds onto the values until Hash is called, so the values
-	// written to it must not alias.
-	return common.CopyBytes(buf.Bytes())
+	return buf.Bytes()
 }
 
 // DeriveSha creates the tree hashes of transactions, receipts, and withdrawals in a block header.
@@ -118,17 +118,17 @@ func DeriveSha(list DerivableList, hasher TrieHasher) common.Hash {
 	for i := 1; i < list.Len() && i <= 0x7f; i++ {
 		indexBuf = rlp.AppendUint64(indexBuf[:0], uint64(i))
 		value := encodeForDerive(list, i, valueBuf)
-		hasher.Update(indexBuf, value)
+		hasher.UpdateSafe(indexBuf, value)
 	}
 	if list.Len() > 0 {
 		indexBuf = rlp.AppendUint64(indexBuf[:0], 0)
 		value := encodeForDerive(list, 0, valueBuf)
-		hasher.Update(indexBuf, value)
+		hasher.UpdateSafe(indexBuf, value)
 	}
 	for i := 0x80; i < list.Len(); i++ {
 		indexBuf = rlp.AppendUint64(indexBuf[:0], uint64(i))
 		value := encodeForDerive(list, i, valueBuf)
-		hasher.Update(indexBuf, value)
+		hasher.UpdateSafe(indexBuf, value)
 	}
 	return hasher.Hash()
 }
diff --git a/core/types/hashing_test.go b/core/types/hashing_test.go
index a6949414f300..905d157756fe 100644
--- a/core/types/hashing_test.go
+++ b/core/types/hashing_test.go
@@ -81,26 +81,31 @@ func BenchmarkDeriveSha200(b *testing.B) {
 	if err != nil {
 		b.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	var exp common.Hash
-	var got common.Hash
+	want := types.DeriveSha(txs, trie.NewEmpty(triedb.NewDatabase(rawdb.NewMemoryDatabase(), nil)))
+	var have common.Hash
 	b.Run("std_trie", func(b *testing.B) {
 		b.ResetTimer()
 		b.ReportAllocs()
 		for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-			exp = types.DeriveSha(txs, trie.NewEmpty(triedb.NewDatabase(rawdb.NewMemoryDatabase(), nil)))
+			have = types.DeriveSha(txs, trie.NewEmpty(triedb.NewDatabase(rawdb.NewMemoryDatabase(), nil)))
+		}
+		if have != want {
+			b.Errorf("have %x want %x", have, want)
 		}
 	})
 
+	st := trie.NewStackTrie(nil)
 	b.Run("stack_trie", func(b *testing.B) {
 		b.ResetTimer()
 		b.ReportAllocs()
 		for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-			got = types.DeriveSha(txs, trie.NewStackTrie(nil))
+			st.Reset()
+			have = types.DeriveSha(txs, st)
+		}
+		if have != want {
+			b.Errorf("have %x want %x", have, want)
 		}
 	})
-	if got != exp {
-		b.Errorf("got %x exp %x", got, exp)
-	}
 }
 
 func TestFuzzDeriveSha(t *testing.T) {
@@ -226,6 +231,12 @@ func (d *hashToHumanReadable) Update(i []byte, i2 []byte) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// UpdateSafe is identical to Update, except that this method will copy the
+// value slice. The caller is free to modify the value bytes after this method returns.
+func (d *hashToHumanReadable) UpdateSafe(key, value []byte) error {
+	return d.Update(key, common.CopyBytes(value))
+}
+
 func (d *hashToHumanReadable) Hash() common.Hash {
 	return common.Hash{}
 }
diff --git a/core/types/tx_blob_test.go b/core/types/tx_blob_test.go
index 6bd0f183b730..c9def20cf028 100644
--- a/core/types/tx_blob_test.go
+++ b/core/types/tx_blob_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package types
 
 import (
 	"crypto/ecdsa"
+	"sync"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/common"
@@ -58,12 +59,22 @@ func TestBlobTxSize(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// emptyInit ensures that we init the kzg empties only once
 var (
-	emptyBlob          = new(kzg4844.Blob)
-	emptyBlobCommit, _ = kzg4844.BlobToCommitment(emptyBlob)
-	emptyBlobProof, _  = kzg4844.ComputeBlobProof(emptyBlob, emptyBlobCommit)
+	emptyInit       sync.Once
+	emptyBlob       *kzg4844.Blob
+	emptyBlobCommit kzg4844.Commitment
+	emptyBlobProof  kzg4844.Proof
 )
 
+func initEmpties() {
+	emptyInit.Do(func() {
+		emptyBlob = new(kzg4844.Blob)
+		emptyBlobCommit, _ = kzg4844.BlobToCommitment(emptyBlob)
+		emptyBlobProof, _ = kzg4844.ComputeBlobProof(emptyBlob, emptyBlobCommit)
+	})
+}
+
 func createEmptyBlobTx(key *ecdsa.PrivateKey, withSidecar bool) *Transaction {
 	blobtx := createEmptyBlobTxInner(withSidecar)
 	signer := NewCancunSigner(blobtx.ChainID.ToBig())
@@ -71,6 +82,7 @@ func createEmptyBlobTx(key *ecdsa.PrivateKey, withSidecar bool) *Transaction {
 }
 
 func createEmptyBlobTxInner(withSidecar bool) *BlobTx {
+	initEmpties()
 	sidecar := &BlobTxSidecar{
 		Blobs:       []kzg4844.Blob{*emptyBlob},
 		Commitments: []kzg4844.Commitment{emptyBlobCommit},
diff --git a/internal/blocktest/test_hash.go b/internal/blocktest/test_hash.go
index 4d2b077e89b5..05608e57218d 100644
--- a/internal/blocktest/test_hash.go
+++ b/internal/blocktest/test_hash.go
@@ -53,6 +53,12 @@ func (h *testHasher) Update(key, val []byte) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// UpdateSafe is identical to Update, except that this method will copy the
+// value slice. The caller is free to modify the value bytes after this method returns.
+func (h *testHasher) UpdateSafe(key, value []byte) error {
+	return h.Update(key, common.CopyBytes(value))
+}
+
 // Hash returns the hash value.
 func (h *testHasher) Hash() common.Hash {
 	return common.BytesToHash(h.hasher.Sum(nil))
diff --git a/trie/bytepool.go b/trie/bytepool.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..2138c08c695d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/trie/bytepool.go
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+// Copyright 2024 The go-ethereum Authors
+// This file is part of the go-ethereum library.
+//
+// The go-ethereum library is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// The go-ethereum library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+// GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+// along with the go-ethereum library. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+package trie
+
+// bytesPool is a pool for byteslices. It is safe for concurrent use.
+type bytesPool struct {
+	c chan []byte
+	w int
+}
+
+// newBytesPool creates a new bytesPool. The sliceCap sets the capacity of
+// newly allocated slices, and the nitems determines how many items the pool
+// will hold, at maximum.
+func newBytesPool(sliceCap, nitems int) *bytesPool {
+	return &bytesPool{
+		c: make(chan []byte, nitems),
+		w: sliceCap,
+	}
+}
+
+// Get returns a slice. Safe for concurrent use.
+func (bp *bytesPool) Get() []byte {
+	select {
+	case b := <-bp.c:
+		return b
+	default:
+		return make([]byte, 0, bp.w)
+	}
+}
+
+// Put returns a slice to the pool. Safe for concurrent use. This method
+// will ignore slices that are too small or too large (>3x the cap)
+func (bp *bytesPool) Put(b []byte) {
+	if c := cap(b); c < bp.w || c > 3*bp.w {
+		return
+	}
+	select {
+	case bp.c <- b:
+	default:
+	}
+}
+
+// unsafeBytesPool is a pool for byteslices. It is not safe for concurrent use.
+type unsafeBytesPool struct {
+	items [][]byte
+	w     int
+}
+
+// newUnsafeBytesPool creates a new bytesPool. The sliceCap sets the capacity of
+// newly allocated slices, and the nitems determines how many items the pool
+// will hold, at maximum.
+func newUnsafeBytesPool(sliceCap, nitems int) *unsafeBytesPool {
+	return &unsafeBytesPool{
+		items: make([][]byte, 0, nitems),
+		w:     sliceCap,
+	}
+}
+
+// Get returns a slice.
+func (bp *unsafeBytesPool) Get() []byte {
+	if len(bp.items) > 0 {
+		last := bp.items[len(bp.items)-1]
+		bp.items = bp.items[:len(bp.items)-1]
+		return last
+	}
+	return make([]byte, 0, bp.w)
+}
+
+// Put returns a slice to the pool. This method
+// will ignore slices that are too small or too large (>3x the cap)
+func (bp *unsafeBytesPool) Put(b []byte) {
+	if c := cap(b); c < bp.w || c > 3*bp.w {
+		return
+	}
+	if len(bp.items) < cap(bp.items) {
+		bp.items = append(bp.items, b)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/trie/encoding.go b/trie/encoding.go
index 3284d3f8f021..d795ba189583 100644
--- a/trie/encoding.go
+++ b/trie/encoding.go
@@ -104,6 +104,17 @@ func keybytesToHex(str []byte) []byte {
 	return nibbles
 }
 
+// writeHexKey writes the hexkey into the given slice.
+// OBS! This method omits the termination flag.
+// OBS! The dst slice must be at least 2x as large as the key
+func writeHexKey(dst []byte, key []byte) {
+	_ = dst[2*len(key)-1]
+	for i, b := range key {
+		dst[i*2] = b / 16
+		dst[i*2+1] = b % 16
+	}
+}
+
 // hexToKeybytes turns hex nibbles into key bytes.
 // This can only be used for keys of even length.
 func hexToKeybytes(hex []byte) []byte {
diff --git a/trie/hasher.go b/trie/hasher.go
index abf654c709cf..28f7f3d0c387 100644
--- a/trie/hasher.go
+++ b/trie/hasher.go
@@ -188,6 +188,14 @@ func (h *hasher) hashData(data []byte) hashNode {
 	return n
 }
 
+// hashDataTo hashes the provided data to the given destination buffer. The caller
+// must ensure that the dst buffer is of appropriate size.
+func (h *hasher) hashDataTo(dst, data []byte) {
+	h.sha.Reset()
+	h.sha.Write(data)
+	h.sha.Read(dst)
+}
+
 // proofHash is used to construct trie proofs, and returns the 'collapsed'
 // node (for later RLP encoding) as well as the hashed node -- unless the
 // node is smaller than 32 bytes, in which case it will be returned as is.
diff --git a/trie/node.go b/trie/node.go
index 15bbf62f1c93..bae0c8a1479d 100644
--- a/trie/node.go
+++ b/trie/node.go
@@ -45,6 +45,23 @@ type (
 	}
 	hashNode  []byte
 	valueNode []byte
+
+	//fullnodeEncoder is a type used exclusively for encoding. Briefly instantiating
+	// a fullnodeEncoder and initializing with existing slices is less memory
+	// intense than using the fullNode type.
+	fullnodeEncoder struct {
+		Children [17][]byte
+		flags    nodeFlag
+	}
+
+	//shortNodeEncoder is a type used exclusively for encoding. Briefly instantiating
+	// a shortNodeEncoder and initializing with existing slices is less memory
+	// intense than using the shortNode type.
+	shortNodeEncoder struct {
+		Key   []byte
+		Val   []byte
+		flags nodeFlag
+	}
 )
 
 // nilValueNode is used when collapsing internal trie nodes for hashing, since
@@ -67,16 +84,20 @@ type nodeFlag struct {
 	dirty bool     // whether the node has changes that must be written to the database
 }
 
-func (n *fullNode) cache() (hashNode, bool)  { return n.flags.hash, n.flags.dirty }
-func (n *shortNode) cache() (hashNode, bool) { return n.flags.hash, n.flags.dirty }
-func (n hashNode) cache() (hashNode, bool)   { return nil, true }
-func (n valueNode) cache() (hashNode, bool)  { return nil, true }
+func (n *fullNode) cache() (hashNode, bool)         { return n.flags.hash, n.flags.dirty }
+func (n *fullnodeEncoder) cache() (hashNode, bool)  { return n.flags.hash, n.flags.dirty }
+func (n *shortNode) cache() (hashNode, bool)        { return n.flags.hash, n.flags.dirty }
+func (n *shortNodeEncoder) cache() (hashNode, bool) { return n.flags.hash, n.flags.dirty }
+func (n hashNode) cache() (hashNode, bool)          { return nil, true }
+func (n valueNode) cache() (hashNode, bool)         { return nil, true }
 
 // Pretty printing.
-func (n *fullNode) String() string  { return n.fstring("") }
-func (n *shortNode) String() string { return n.fstring("") }
-func (n hashNode) String() string   { return n.fstring("") }
-func (n valueNode) String() string  { return n.fstring("") }
+func (n *fullNode) String() string         { return n.fstring("") }
+func (n *fullnodeEncoder) String() string  { return n.fstring("") }
+func (n *shortNode) String() string        { return n.fstring("") }
+func (n *shortNodeEncoder) String() string { return n.fstring("") }
+func (n hashNode) String() string          { return n.fstring("") }
+func (n valueNode) String() string         { return n.fstring("") }
 
 func (n *fullNode) fstring(ind string) string {
 	resp := fmt.Sprintf("[\n%s  ", ind)
@@ -89,9 +110,24 @@ func (n *fullNode) fstring(ind string) string {
 	}
 	return resp + fmt.Sprintf("\n%s] ", ind)
 }
+
+func (n *fullnodeEncoder) fstring(ind string) string {
+	resp := fmt.Sprintf("[\n%s  ", ind)
+	for i, node := range &n.Children {
+		if node == nil {
+			resp += fmt.Sprintf("%s: <nil> ", indices[i])
+		} else {
+			resp += fmt.Sprintf("%s: %x", indices[i], node)
+		}
+	}
+	return resp + fmt.Sprintf("\n%s] ", ind)
+}
 func (n *shortNode) fstring(ind string) string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("{%x: %v} ", n.Key, n.Val.fstring(ind+"  "))
 }
+func (n *shortNodeEncoder) fstring(ind string) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("{%x: %x} ", n.Key, n.Val)
+}
 func (n hashNode) fstring(ind string) string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("<%x> ", []byte(n))
 }
diff --git a/trie/node_enc.go b/trie/node_enc.go
index 1b2eca682f0b..dbb493812e0f 100644
--- a/trie/node_enc.go
+++ b/trie/node_enc.go
@@ -40,6 +40,20 @@ func (n *fullNode) encode(w rlp.EncoderBuffer) {
 	w.ListEnd(offset)
 }
 
+func (n *fullnodeEncoder) encode(w rlp.EncoderBuffer) {
+	offset := w.List()
+	for _, c := range n.Children {
+		if c == nil {
+			w.Write(rlp.EmptyString)
+		} else if len(c) < 32 {
+			w.Write(c) // rawNode
+		} else {
+			w.WriteBytes(c) // hashNode
+		}
+	}
+	w.ListEnd(offset)
+}
+
 func (n *shortNode) encode(w rlp.EncoderBuffer) {
 	offset := w.List()
 	w.WriteBytes(n.Key)
@@ -51,6 +65,20 @@ func (n *shortNode) encode(w rlp.EncoderBuffer) {
 	w.ListEnd(offset)
 }
 
+func (n *shortNodeEncoder) encode(w rlp.EncoderBuffer) {
+	offset := w.List()
+	w.WriteBytes(n.Key)
+
+	if n.Val == nil {
+		w.Write(rlp.EmptyString)
+	} else if len(n.Val) < 32 {
+		w.Write(n.Val) // rawNode
+	} else {
+		w.WriteBytes(n.Val) // hashNode
+	}
+	w.ListEnd(offset)
+}
+
 func (n hashNode) encode(w rlp.EncoderBuffer) {
 	w.WriteBytes(n)
 }
diff --git a/trie/stacktrie.go b/trie/stacktrie.go
index d194cbf0aec4..316aaa3404cf 100644
--- a/trie/stacktrie.go
+++ b/trie/stacktrie.go
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import (
 
 var (
 	stPool = sync.Pool{New: func() any { return new(stNode) }}
+	bPool  = newBytesPool(32, 100)
 	_      = types.TrieHasher((*StackTrie)(nil))
 )
 
@@ -47,6 +48,9 @@ type StackTrie struct {
 	h          *hasher
 	last       []byte
 	onTrieNode OnTrieNode
+	kBuf       []byte // buf space used for hex-key during insertions
+	pBuf       []byte // buf space used for path during insertions
+	vPool      *unsafeBytesPool
 }
 
 // NewStackTrie allocates and initializes an empty trie. The committed nodes
@@ -56,15 +60,36 @@ func NewStackTrie(onTrieNode OnTrieNode) *StackTrie {
 		root:       stPool.Get().(*stNode),
 		h:          newHasher(false),
 		onTrieNode: onTrieNode,
+		kBuf:       make([]byte, 0, 32),
+		pBuf:       make([]byte, 0, 32),
+		vPool:      newUnsafeBytesPool(300, 20),
 	}
 }
 
+// UpdateSafe is identical to Update, except that this method will copy the
+// value slice. The caller is free to modify the value bytes after this method returns.
+func (t *StackTrie) UpdateSafe(key, value []byte) error {
+	// The stacktrie always copies the value (is already safe).
+	return t.Update(key, value)
+}
+
 // Update inserts a (key, value) pair into the stack trie.
+// The value is copied, and the caller is free to modify the value after this
+// method returns.
 func (t *StackTrie) Update(key, value []byte) error {
 	if len(value) == 0 {
 		return errors.New("trying to insert empty (deletion)")
 	}
-	k := t.TrieKey(key)
+	var k []byte
+	{ // Need to expand the 'key' into hex-form. We use the dedicated buf for that.
+		if cap(t.kBuf) < 2*len(key) { // realloc to ensure sufficient cap
+			t.kBuf = make([]byte, 2*len(key), 2*len(key))
+		}
+		// resize to ensure correct size
+		t.kBuf = t.kBuf[:2*len(key)]
+		writeHexKey(t.kBuf, key)
+		k = t.kBuf
+	}
 	if bytes.Compare(t.last, k) >= 0 {
 		return errors.New("non-ascending key order")
 	}
@@ -73,7 +98,14 @@ func (t *StackTrie) Update(key, value []byte) error {
 	} else {
 		t.last = append(t.last[:0], k...) // reuse key slice
 	}
-	t.insert(t.root, k, value, nil)
+	vBuf := t.vPool.Get()
+	if cap(vBuf) < len(value) {
+		vBuf = common.CopyBytes(value)
+	} else {
+		vBuf = vBuf[:len(value)]
+		copy(vBuf, value)
+	}
+	t.insert(t.root, k, vBuf, t.pBuf[:0])
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -81,6 +113,7 @@ func (t *StackTrie) Update(key, value []byte) error {
 func (t *StackTrie) Reset() {
 	t.root = stPool.Get().(*stNode)
 	t.last = nil
+	t.onTrieNode = nil
 }
 
 // TrieKey returns the internal key representation for the given user key.
@@ -129,6 +162,12 @@ const (
 )
 
 func (n *stNode) reset() *stNode {
+	if n.typ == hashedNode {
+		// On hashnodes, we 'own' the val: it is guaranteed to be not held
+		// by external caller. Hence, when we arrive here, we can put it back
+		// into the pool
+		bPool.Put(n.val)
+	}
 	n.key = n.key[:0]
 	n.val = nil
 	for i := range n.children {
@@ -150,8 +189,11 @@ func (n *stNode) getDiffIndex(key []byte) int {
 	return len(n.key)
 }
 
-// Helper function to that inserts a (key, value) pair into
-// the trie.
+// Helper function to that inserts a (key, value) pair into the trie.
+//   - The key is not retained by this method, but always copied if needed.
+//   - The value is retained by this method, as long as the leaf that it represents
+//     remains unhashed. However: it is never modified.
+//   - The path is not retained by this method.
 func (t *StackTrie) insert(st *stNode, key, value []byte, path []byte) {
 	switch st.typ {
 	case branchNode: /* Branch */
@@ -283,7 +325,7 @@ func (t *StackTrie) insert(st *stNode, key, value []byte, path []byte) {
 
 	case emptyNode: /* Empty */
 		st.typ = leafNode
-		st.key = key
+		st.key = append(st.key, key...)
 		st.val = value
 
 	case hashedNode:
@@ -318,35 +360,32 @@ func (t *StackTrie) hash(st *stNode, path []byte) {
 		return
 
 	case branchNode:
-		var nodes fullNode
+		var nodes fullnodeEncoder
 		for i, child := range st.children {
 			if child == nil {
-				nodes.Children[i] = nilValueNode
 				continue
 			}
 			t.hash(child, append(path, byte(i)))
-
-			if len(child.val) < 32 {
-				nodes.Children[i] = rawNode(child.val)
-			} else {
-				nodes.Children[i] = hashNode(child.val)
+			nodes.Children[i] = child.val
+		}
+		nodes.encode(t.h.encbuf)
+		blob = t.h.encodedBytes()
+		for i, child := range st.children {
+			if child == nil {
+				continue
 			}
 			st.children[i] = nil
 			stPool.Put(child.reset()) // Release child back to pool.
 		}
-		nodes.encode(t.h.encbuf)
-		blob = t.h.encodedBytes()
 
 	case extNode:
 		// recursively hash and commit child as the first step
 		t.hash(st.children[0], append(path, st.key...))
 
 		// encode the extension node
-		n := shortNode{Key: hexToCompactInPlace(st.key)}
-		if len(st.children[0].val) < 32 {
-			n.Val = rawNode(st.children[0].val)
-		} else {
-			n.Val = hashNode(st.children[0].val)
+		n := shortNodeEncoder{
+			Key: hexToCompactInPlace(st.key),
+			Val: st.children[0].val,
 		}
 		n.encode(t.h.encbuf)
 		blob = t.h.encodedBytes()
@@ -356,9 +395,13 @@ func (t *StackTrie) hash(st *stNode, path []byte) {
 
 	case leafNode:
 		st.key = append(st.key, byte(16))
-		n := shortNode{Key: hexToCompactInPlace(st.key), Val: valueNode(st.val)}
-
-		n.encode(t.h.encbuf)
+		{
+			w := t.h.encbuf
+			offset := w.List()
+			w.WriteBytes(hexToCompactInPlace(st.key))
+			w.WriteBytes(st.val)
+			w.ListEnd(offset)
+		}
 		blob = t.h.encodedBytes()
 
 	default:
@@ -368,15 +411,27 @@ func (t *StackTrie) hash(st *stNode, path []byte) {
 	st.typ = hashedNode
 	st.key = st.key[:0]
 
+	// Release reference to (potentially externally held) value-slice.
+	if cap(st.val) > 0 && t.vPool != nil {
+		t.vPool.Put(st.val)
+	}
+	st.val = nil
+
 	// Skip committing the non-root node if the size is smaller than 32 bytes
 	// as tiny nodes are always embedded in their parent except root node.
 	if len(blob) < 32 && len(path) > 0 {
-		st.val = common.CopyBytes(blob)
+		val := bPool.Get()
+		val = val[:len(blob)]
+		copy(val, blob)
+		st.val = val
 		return
 	}
 	// Write the hash to the 'val'. We allocate a new val here to not mutate
 	// input values.
-	st.val = t.h.hashData(blob)
+	val := bPool.Get()
+	val = val[:32]
+	t.h.hashDataTo(val, blob)
+	st.val = val
 
 	// Invoke the callback it's provided. Notably, the path and blob slices are
 	// volatile, please deep-copy the slices in callback if the contents need
diff --git a/trie/stacktrie_test.go b/trie/stacktrie_test.go
index f053b5112d3f..7e342e64bf4b 100644
--- a/trie/stacktrie_test.go
+++ b/trie/stacktrie_test.go
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ package trie
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"encoding/binary"
 	"math/big"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -398,3 +399,48 @@ func TestStackTrieErrors(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.NotNil(t, s.Update([]byte{0x10}, []byte{0xb}), "out of order insert")
 	assert.NotNil(t, s.Update([]byte{0xaa}, []byte{0xb}), "repeat insert same key")
 }
+
+func BenchmarkInsert100K(b *testing.B) {
+	var num = 100_000
+	var key = make([]byte, 8)
+	var val = make([]byte, 20)
+	var hash common.Hash
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		s := NewStackTrie(nil)
+		var k uint64
+		for j := 0; j < num; j++ {
+			binary.BigEndian.PutUint64(key, k)
+			if err := s.Update(key, val); err != nil {
+				b.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			k += 1024
+		}
+		if hash == (common.Hash{}) {
+			hash = s.Hash()
+		} else {
+			if hash != s.Hash() && false {
+				b.Fatalf("hash wrong, have %x want %x", s.Hash(), hash)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestInsert100K(t *testing.T) {
+	var num = 100_000
+	var key = make([]byte, 8)
+	var val = make([]byte, 20)
+	s := NewStackTrie(nil)
+	var k uint64
+	for j := 0; j < num; j++ {
+		binary.BigEndian.PutUint64(key, k)
+		if err := s.Update(key, val); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		k += 1024
+	}
+	want := common.HexToHash("0xb0071bd257342925d9d8a9f002b9d2b646a35437aa8b089628ab56e428d29a1a")
+	if have := s.Hash(); have != want {
+		t.Fatalf("hash wrong, have %x want %x", have, want)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/trie/trie.go b/trie/trie.go
index e3f3f39248d9..70a605258741 100644
--- a/trie/trie.go
+++ b/trie/trie.go
@@ -311,6 +311,12 @@ func (t *Trie) Update(key, value []byte) error {
 	return t.update(key, value)
 }
 
+// UpdateSafe is identical to Update, except that this method will copy the
+// value slice. The caller is free to modify the value bytes after this method returns.
+func (t *Trie) UpdateSafe(key, value []byte) error {
+	return t.Update(key, common.CopyBytes(value))
+}
+
 func (t *Trie) update(key, value []byte) error {
 	t.unhashed++
 	t.uncommitted++