diff --git a/PYTHON_STYLE_GUIDE.md b/PYTHON_STYLE_GUIDE.md
index d416ad65..dc7e68d7 100644
--- a/PYTHON_STYLE_GUIDE.md
+++ b/PYTHON_STYLE_GUIDE.md
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ PEP8 says some things about docstrings, but not what to put in them or how to st
 
 PEP8 has some [maximum line length guidelines](https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0008/#id17), starting with "Limit all lines to a maximum of 79 characters" but "for flowing long blocks of text with fewer structural restrictions (docstrings or comments), the line length should be limited to 72 characters."
 
-We discussed this at length, and it seems that the consensus is: try to keep line lengths less than 79/72 characters, unless you have a special situation where longer lines would improve readability. (The basic reason is that 79/72 works for everyone, and BigchainDB is an open source project.)
+We discussed this at length, and it seems that the consensus is: _try_ to keep line lengths less than 79/72 characters, unless you have a special situation where longer lines would improve readability. (The basic reason is that 79/72 works for everyone, and BigchainDB is an open source project.) As a hard limit, keep all lines less than 119 characters (which is the width of GitHub code review).
 
 ### Single or Double Quotes?
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 86a198e0..0fd70ad9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -34,3 +34,4 @@ A scalable blockchain database. [The whitepaper](https://www.bigchaindb.com/whit
 * [Licenses](LICENSES.md) - open source & open content
 * [Imprint](https://www.bigchaindb.com/imprint/)
 * [Contact Us](https://www.bigchaindb.com/contact/)
+
diff --git a/ROADMAP.md b/ROADMAP.md
index a3c65086..1c7752ed 100644
--- a/ROADMAP.md
+++ b/ROADMAP.md
@@ -2,20 +2,28 @@
 
 ## BigchainDB Protocols
 * Validation of other nodes
-* Byzantine fault tolerance
+* Fault tolerance
 * Permissions framework
-* Benchmarks (e.g. on transactions/second and latency)
-* API/Wire protocol exposed by the BigchainDB dameon (HTTP or other). Eventually, the _only_ way for a client to communicate with a BigchainDB database will be via this API.
 * Protocol audits including security audits
 
 ## Implementation/Code
 * Node validation framework (inspect and agree or not with what the other nodes are doing)
-* Federation management and monitoring/dashboard
-* Packaging, dockerization, AWS image, etc. (i.e. easy deployment options)
-* Drivers/SDKs for common client-side languages (e.g. Python, Ruby, JavaScript, Java)
+* Federation management tools
+* More tools for benchmarking a cluster
+* Descriptions and results of more benchmarking tests
+* AWS image and other easy deployment options
+* Drivers/SDKs for more client-side languages (e.g. JavaScript, Ruby, Java)
 * ORM to better-decouple BigchainDB from its data store (will make it easy to try other databases)
 * Code audits including security audits
 
 ## Other/Future
-* Multisig
+* Byzantine fault tolerance
 * Better support for smart contract frameworks
+
+## Done/Past (i.e. was in the Roadmap)
+* Packaging for PyPI (setup.py etc.) - [the latest version release can be found on PyPI](https://pypi.python.org/pypi/BigchainDB)
+* Dockerization
+* Monitoring/dashboard - initial vesion added in [Pull Request #72](https://github.com/bigchaindb/bigchaindb/pull/72)
+* API/Wire protocol (RESTful HTTP API) - initial version added in [Pull Request #102](https://github.com/bigchaindb/bigchaindb/pull/102)
+* Python driver/SDK - initial version added in [Pull Request #102](https://github.com/bigchaindb/bigchaindb/pull/102)
+* Multisig support - initial version added in [Pull Request #107](https://github.com/bigchaindb/bigchaindb/pull/107)
diff --git a/bigchaindb/__init__.py b/bigchaindb/__init__.py
index b728e103..0a69c150 100644
--- a/bigchaindb/__init__.py
+++ b/bigchaindb/__init__.py
@@ -40,9 +40,10 @@ config = {
         'port': e('BIGCHAIN_STATSD_PORT', default=8125),
         'rate': e('BIGCHAIN_STATSD_SAMPLERATE', default=0.01)
     },
+    'api_endpoint': 'http://localhost:8008/api/v1',
     'consensus_plugins': [
         'base'
-    ],
+    ]
 }
 
 # We need to maintain a backup copy of the original config dict in case
@@ -50,4 +51,3 @@ config = {
 # for more info.
 _config = copy.deepcopy(config)
 from bigchaindb.core import Bigchain  # noqa
-
diff --git a/bigchaindb/client.py b/bigchaindb/client.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0a9eed01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bigchaindb/client.py
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+import requests
+
+import bigchaindb
+from bigchaindb import util
+from bigchaindb import config_utils
+from bigchaindb import exceptions
+from bigchaindb import crypto
+
+
+class Client:
+    """Client for BigchainDB.
+
+    A Client is initialized with a keypair and is able to create, sign, and submit transactions to a Node
+    in the Federation. At the moment, a Client instance is bounded to a specific ``host`` in the Federation.
+    In the future, a Client might connect to >1 hosts.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, public_key=None, private_key=None, api_endpoint=None):
+        """Initialize the Client instance
+
+        There are three ways in which the Client instance can get its parameters.
+        The order by which the parameters are chosen are:
+
+            1. Setting them by passing them to the `__init__` method itself.
+            2. Setting them as environment variables
+            3. Reading them from the `config.json` file.
+
+        Args:
+            public_key (str): the base58 encoded public key for the ECDSA secp256k1 curve.
+            private_key (str): the base58 encoded private key for the ECDSA secp256k1 curve.
+            host (str): hostname where the rethinkdb is running.
+            port (int): port in which rethinkb is running (usually 28015).
+        """
+
+        config_utils.autoconfigure()
+
+        self.public_key = public_key or bigchaindb.config['keypair']['public']
+        self.private_key = private_key or bigchaindb.config['keypair']['private']
+        self.api_endpoint = api_endpoint or bigchaindb.config['api_endpoint']
+
+        if not self.public_key or not self.private_key:
+            raise exceptions.KeypairNotFoundException()
+
+    def create(self, payload=None):
+        """Issue a transaction to create an asset.
+
+        Args:
+            payload (dict): the payload for the transaction.
+
+        Return:
+            The transaction pushed to the Federation.
+        """
+
+        tx = util.create_tx(self.public_key, self.public_key, None, operation='CREATE', payload=payload)
+        signed_tx = util.sign_tx(tx, self.private_key)
+        return self._push(signed_tx)
+
+    def transfer(self, new_owner, tx_input, payload=None):
+        """Issue a transaction to transfer an asset.
+
+        Args:
+            new_owner (str): the public key of the new owner
+            tx_input (str): the id of the transaction to use as input
+            payload (dict, optional): the payload for the transaction.
+
+        Return:
+            The transaction pushed to the Federation.
+        """
+
+        tx = util.create_tx(self.public_key, new_owner, tx_input, operation='TRANSFER', payload=payload)
+        signed_tx = util.sign_tx(tx, self.private_key)
+        return self._push(signed_tx)
+
+    def _push(self, tx):
+        """Submit a transaction to the Federation.
+
+        Args:
+            tx (dict): the transaction to be pushed to the Federation.
+
+        Return:
+            The transaction pushed to the Federation.
+        """
+
+        res = requests.post(self.api_endpoint + '/transactions/', json=tx)
+        return res.json()
+
+
+def temp_client():
+    """Create a new temporary client.
+
+    Return:
+        A client initialized with a keypair generated on the fly.
+    """
+
+    private_key, public_key = crypto.generate_key_pair()
+    return Client(private_key=private_key, public_key=public_key, api_endpoint='http://localhost:5000/api/v1')
+
diff --git a/bigchaindb/consensus/base.py b/bigchaindb/consensus/base.py
index ab01d26e..ed3f05c9 100644
--- a/bigchaindb/consensus/base.py
+++ b/bigchaindb/consensus/base.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import bigchaindb.exceptions as exceptions
+from bigchaindb import util
 from bigchaindb.crypto import hash_data
 from bigchaindb.consensus import AbstractConsensusRules
 
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ class ConsensusRules(AbstractConsensusRules):
                         transaction['transaction']['input']))
 
         # Check hash of the transaction
-        calculated_hash = hash_data(bigchain.serialize(
+        calculated_hash = hash_data(util.serialize(
             transaction['transaction']))
         if calculated_hash != transaction['id']:
             raise exceptions.InvalidHash()
@@ -101,7 +102,7 @@ class ConsensusRules(AbstractConsensusRules):
         """
 
         # Check if current hash is correct
-        calculated_hash = hash_data(bigchain.serialize(block['block']))
+        calculated_hash = hash_data(util.serialize(block['block']))
         if calculated_hash != block['id']:
             raise exceptions.InvalidHash()
 
diff --git a/bigchaindb/core.py b/bigchaindb/core.py
index 7df5ed85..ffdffa9b 100644
--- a/bigchaindb/core.py
+++ b/bigchaindb/core.py
@@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
 import rethinkdb as r
-import time
 import random
 import json
 import rapidjson
 
-from datetime import datetime
 
 import bigchaindb
+from bigchaindb import util
 from bigchaindb import config_utils
 from bigchaindb import exceptions
-from bigchaindb.crypto import hash_data, PublicKey, PrivateKey, generate_key_pair
+from bigchaindb import crypto
 from bigchaindb.monitor import Monitor
 
+
 monitor = Monitor()
 
 
@@ -19,10 +19,6 @@ class GenesisBlockAlreadyExistsError(Exception):
     pass
 
 
-class KeypairNotFoundException(Exception):
-    pass
-
-
 class Bigchain(object):
     """Bigchain API
 
@@ -48,8 +44,8 @@ class Bigchain(object):
             public_key (str): the base58 encoded public key for the ECDSA secp256k1 curve.
             private_key (str): the base58 encoded private key for the ECDSA secp256k1 curve.
             keyring (list[str]): list of base58 encoded public keys of the federation nodes.
-
         """
+
         config_utils.autoconfigure()
         self.host = host or bigchaindb.config['database']['host']
         self.port = port or bigchaindb.config['database']['port']
@@ -60,7 +56,7 @@ class Bigchain(object):
         self.consensus_plugins = config_utils.get_plugins(consensus_plugins)
 
         if not self.me or not self.me_private:
-            raise KeypairNotFoundException()
+            raise exceptions.KeypairNotFoundException()
 
         self._conn = None
 
@@ -77,101 +73,25 @@ class Bigchain(object):
     def create_transaction(self, current_owner, new_owner, tx_input, operation, payload=None):
         """Create a new transaction
 
-        A transaction in the bigchain is a transfer of a digital asset between two entities represented
-        by public keys.
-
-        Currently the bigchain supports two types of operations:
-
-            `CREATE` - Only federation nodes are allowed to use this operation. In a create operation
-            a federation node creates a digital asset in the bigchain and assigns that asset to a public
-            key. The owner of the private key can then decided to transfer this digital asset by using the
-            `transaction id` of the transaction as an input in a `TRANSFER` transaction.
-
-            `TRANSFER` - A transfer operation allows for a transfer of the digital assets between entities.
-
-        Args:
-            current_owner (str): base58 encoded public key of the current owner of the asset.
-            new_owner (str): base58 encoded public key of the new owner of the digital asset.
-            tx_input (str): id of the transaction to use as input.
-            operation (str): Either `CREATE` or `TRANSFER` operation.
-            payload (Optional[dict]): dictionary with information about asset.
-
-        Returns:
-            dict: unsigned transaction.
-
-
-        Raises:
-            TypeError: if the optional ``payload`` argument is not a ``dict``.
+        Refer to the documentation of ``bigchaindb.util.create_tx``
         """
-        data = None
-        if payload is not None:
-            if isinstance(payload, dict):
-                hash_payload = hash_data(self.serialize(payload))
-                data = {
-                    'hash': hash_payload,
-                    'payload': payload
-                }
-            else:
-                raise TypeError('`payload` must be an dict instance')
 
-        hash_payload = hash_data(self.serialize(payload))
-        data = {
-            'hash': hash_payload,
-            'payload': payload
-        }
-
-        tx = {
-            'current_owner': current_owner,
-            'new_owner': new_owner,
-            'input': tx_input,
-            'operation': operation,
-            'timestamp': self.timestamp(),
-            'data': data
-        }
-
-        # serialize and convert to bytes
-        tx_serialized = self.serialize(tx)
-        tx_hash = hash_data(tx_serialized)
-
-        # create the transaction
-        transaction = {
-            'id': tx_hash,
-            'transaction': tx
-        }
-
-        return transaction
+        return util.create_tx(current_owner, new_owner, tx_input, operation, payload)
 
     def sign_transaction(self, transaction, private_key):
         """Sign a transaction
 
-        A transaction signed with the `current_owner` corresponding private key.
-
-        Args:
-            transaction (dict): transaction to sign.
-            private_key (str): base58 encoded private key to create a signature of the transaction.
-
-        Returns:
-            dict: transaction with the `signature` field included.
-
+        Refer to the documentation of ``bigchaindb.util.sign_tx``
         """
-        private_key = PrivateKey(private_key)
-        signature = private_key.sign(self.serialize(transaction))
-        signed_transaction = transaction.copy()
-        signed_transaction.update({'signature': signature})
-        return signed_transaction
+
+        return util.sign_tx(transaction, private_key)
 
     def verify_signature(self, signed_transaction):
-        """Verify the signature of a transaction
-
-        A valid transaction should have been signed `current_owner` corresponding private key.
-
-        Args:
-            signed_transaction (dict): a transaction with the `signature` included.
-
-        Returns:
-            bool: True if the signature is correct, False otherwise.
+        """Verify the signature of a transaction.
 
+        Refer to the documentation of ``bigchaindb.crypto.verify_signature``
         """
+
         data = signed_transaction.copy()
 
         # if assignee field in the transaction, remove it
@@ -180,11 +100,11 @@ class Bigchain(object):
 
         signature = data.pop('signature')
         public_key_base58 = signed_transaction['transaction']['current_owner']
-        public_key = PublicKey(public_key_base58)
-        return public_key.verify(self.serialize(data), signature)
+        public_key = crypto.PublicKey(public_key_base58)
+        return public_key.verify(util.serialize(data), signature)
 
     @monitor.timer('write_transaction', rate=bigchaindb.config['statsd']['rate'])
-    def write_transaction(self, signed_transaction):
+    def write_transaction(self, signed_transaction, durability='soft'):
         """Write the transaction to bigchain.
 
         When first writing a transaction to the bigchain the transaction will be kept in a backlog until
@@ -210,7 +130,7 @@ class Bigchain(object):
         signed_transaction.update({'assignee': assignee})
 
         # write to the backlog
-        response = r.table('backlog').insert(signed_transaction, durability='soft').run(self.conn)
+        response = r.table('backlog').insert(signed_transaction, durability=durability).run(self.conn)
         return response
 
     # TODO: the same `txid` can be in two different blocks
@@ -226,8 +146,8 @@ class Bigchain(object):
             A dict with the transaction details if the transaction was found.
 
             If no transaction with that `txid` was found it returns `None`
-
         """
+
         response = r.table('bigchain').concat_map(lambda doc: doc['block']['transactions'])\
             .filter(lambda transaction: transaction['id'] == txid).run(self.conn)
 
@@ -257,8 +177,8 @@ class Bigchain(object):
         Returns:
             A list of transactions containing that payload. If no transaction exists with that payload it
             returns `None`
-
         """
+
         cursor = r.table('bigchain')\
             .get_all(payload_hash, index='payload_hash')\
             .run(self.conn)
@@ -277,7 +197,6 @@ class Bigchain(object):
 
         Returns:
             The transaction that used the `txid` as an input if it exists else it returns `None`
-
         """
         # checks if an input was already spent
         # checks if the bigchain has any transaction with input `transaction_id`
@@ -303,8 +222,8 @@ class Bigchain(object):
 
         Returns:
             list: list of `txids` currently owned by `owner`
-
         """
+
         response = r.table('bigchain')\
                     .concat_map(lambda doc: doc['block']['transactions'])\
                     .filter({'transaction': {'new_owner': owner}})\
@@ -347,8 +266,8 @@ class Bigchain(object):
 
         Returns:
             bool: `True` if the transaction is valid, `False` otherwise
-
         """
+
         try:
             self.validate_transaction(transaction)
             return transaction
@@ -368,20 +287,20 @@ class Bigchain(object):
 
         Returns:
             dict: created block.
-
         """
+
         # Create the new block
         block = {
-            'timestamp': self.timestamp(),
+            'timestamp': util.timestamp(),
             'transactions': validated_transactions,
             'node_pubkey': self.me,
             'voters': self.federation_nodes + [self.me]
         }
 
         # Calculate the hash of the new block
-        block_data = self.serialize(block)
-        block_hash = hash_data(block_data)
-        block_signature = PrivateKey(self.me_private).sign(block_data)
+        block_data = util.serialize(block)
+        block_hash = crypto.hash_data(block_data)
+        block_signature = crypto.PrivateKey(self.me_private).sign(block_data)
 
         block = {
             'id': block_hash,
@@ -403,7 +322,6 @@ class Bigchain(object):
         Returns:
             The block if the block is valid else it raises and exception
             describing the reason why the block is invalid.
-
         """
 
         # First run all of the plugin block validation logic
@@ -430,8 +348,8 @@ class Bigchain(object):
 
         Returns:
             bool: `True` if the block is valid, `False` otherwise.
-
         """
+
         try:
             self.validate_block(block)
             return True
@@ -444,8 +362,8 @@ class Bigchain(object):
 
         Args:
             block (dict): block to write to bigchain.
-
         """
+
         block_serialized = rapidjson.dumps(block)
         r.table('bigchain').insert(r.json(block_serialized), durability=durability).run(self.conn)
 
@@ -492,18 +410,18 @@ class Bigchain(object):
             previous_block_id (str): The id of the previous block.
             decision (bool): Whether the block is valid or invalid.
             invalid_reason (Optional[str]): Reason the block is invalid
-
         """
+
         vote = {
             'voting_for_block': block['id'],
             'previous_block': previous_block_id,
             'is_block_valid': decision,
             'invalid_reason': invalid_reason,
-            'timestamp': self.timestamp()
+            'timestamp': util.timestamp()
         }
 
-        vote_data = self.serialize(vote)
-        signature = PrivateKey(self.me_private).sign(vote_data)
+        vote_data = util.serialize(vote)
+        signature = crypto.PrivateKey(self.me_private).sign(vote_data)
 
         vote_signed = {
             'node_pubkey': self.me,
@@ -514,9 +432,8 @@ class Bigchain(object):
         return vote_signed
 
     def write_vote(self, block, vote, block_number):
-        """
-        Write the vote to the database
-        """
+        """Write the vote to the database."""
+
         update = {'votes': r.row['votes'].append(vote)}
 
         # We need to *not* override the existing block_number, if any
@@ -530,9 +447,8 @@ class Bigchain(object):
          .run(self.conn)
 
     def get_last_voted_block(self):
-        """
-        Returns the last block that this node voted on
-        """
+        """Returns the last block that this node voted on."""
+
         # query bigchain for all blocks this node is a voter but didn't voted on
         last_voted = r.table('bigchain')\
             .filter(r.row['block']['voters'].contains(self.me))\
@@ -551,9 +467,7 @@ class Bigchain(object):
         return last_voted[0]
 
     def get_unvoted_blocks(self):
-        """
-        Return all the blocks that has not been voted by this node.
-        """
+        """Return all the blocks that has not been voted by this node."""
 
         unvoted = r.table('bigchain')\
             .filter(lambda doc: doc['votes'].contains(lambda vote: vote['node_pubkey'] == self.me).not_())\
@@ -564,60 +478,3 @@ class Bigchain(object):
             unvoted.pop(0)
 
         return unvoted
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def serialize(data):
-        """Static method used to serialize a dict into a JSON formatted string.
-
-        This method enforces rules like the separator and order of keys. This ensures that all dicts
-        are serialized in the same way.
-
-        This is specially important for hashing data. We need to make sure that everyone serializes their data
-        in the same way so that we do not have hash mismatches for the same structure due to serialization
-        differences.
-
-        Args:
-            data (dict): dict to serialize
-
-        Returns:
-            str: JSON formatted string
-
-        """
-        return json.dumps(data, skipkeys=False, ensure_ascii=False,
-                          separators=(',', ':'), sort_keys=True)
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def deserialize(data):
-        """Static method used to deserialize a JSON formatted string into a dict.
-
-        Args:
-            data (str): JSON formatted string.
-
-        Returns:
-            dict: dict resulting from the serialization of a JSON formatted string.
-
-        """
-        return json.loads(data, encoding="utf-8")
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def timestamp():
-        """Static method to calculate a UTC timestamp with microsecond precision.
-
-        Returns:
-            str: UTC timestamp.
-
-        """
-        dt = datetime.utcnow()
-        return "{0:.6f}".format(time.mktime(dt.timetuple()) + dt.microsecond / 1e6)
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def generate_keys():
-        """Generates a key pair.
-
-        Returns:
-            tuple: `(private_key, public_key)`. ECDSA key pair using the secp256k1 curve encoded
-            in base58.
-
-        """
-        # generates and returns the keys serialized in hex
-        return generate_key_pair()
diff --git a/bigchaindb/crypto.py b/bigchaindb/crypto.py
index 8eedae65..bcbe0863 100644
--- a/bigchaindb/crypto.py
+++ b/bigchaindb/crypto.py
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 # Separate all crypto code so that we can easily test several implementations
 
-import hashlib
-import sha3
 import binascii
 import base58
+
+import sha3
 import bitcoin
 
 from cryptography.hazmat.backends import default_backend
@@ -148,4 +148,8 @@ def generate_key_pair():
 
 
 def hash_data(data):
-    return hashlib.sha3_256(data.encode()).hexdigest()
+    """Hash the provided data using SHA3-256"""
+
+    return sha3.sha3_256(data.encode()).hexdigest()
+
+
diff --git a/bigchaindb/exceptions.py b/bigchaindb/exceptions.py
index 684ae58c..0baa4ad2 100644
--- a/bigchaindb/exceptions.py
+++ b/bigchaindb/exceptions.py
@@ -25,3 +25,7 @@ class DatabaseAlreadyExists(Exception):
 class DatabaseDoesNotExist(Exception):
     """Raised when trying to delete the database but the db is not there"""
 
+class KeypairNotFoundException(Exception):
+    """Raised if operation cannot proceed because the keypair was not given"""
+
+
diff --git a/bigchaindb/processes.py b/bigchaindb/processes.py
index 003f23ba..c7cf09f0 100644
--- a/bigchaindb/processes.py
+++ b/bigchaindb/processes.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import rethinkdb as r
 from bigchaindb import Bigchain
 from bigchaindb.voter import Voter
 from bigchaindb.block import Block
+from bigchaindb.web import server
 
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -80,3 +81,9 @@ class Processes(object):
 
         logger.info('starting voter')
         p_voter.start()
+
+        # start the web api
+        webapi = server.create_app()
+        p_webapi = mp.Process(name='webapi', target=webapi.run, kwargs={'host': 'localhost'})
+        p_webapi.start()
+
diff --git a/bigchaindb/util.py b/bigchaindb/util.py
index 42589f2a..d8ddc9ce 100644
--- a/bigchaindb/util.py
+++ b/bigchaindb/util.py
@@ -1,4 +1,12 @@
+
+import json
+import time
 import multiprocessing as mp
+from datetime import datetime
+
+import bigchaindb
+from bigchaindb import exceptions
+from bigchaindb.crypto import PrivateKey, PublicKey, hash_data
 
 
 class ProcessGroup(object):
@@ -22,3 +30,191 @@ class ProcessGroup(object):
             proc.start()
             self.processes.append(proc)
 
+
+def serialize(data):
+    """Serialize a dict into a JSON formatted string.
+
+    This function enforces rules like the separator and order of keys. This ensures that all dicts
+    are serialized in the same way.
+
+    This is specially important for hashing data. We need to make sure that everyone serializes their data
+    in the same way so that we do not have hash mismatches for the same structure due to serialization
+    differences.
+
+    Args:
+        data (dict): dict to serialize
+
+    Returns:
+        str: JSON formatted string
+
+    """
+    return json.dumps(data, skipkeys=False, ensure_ascii=False,
+                      separators=(',', ':'), sort_keys=True)
+
+
+def deserialize(data):
+    """Deserialize a JSON formatted string into a dict.
+
+    Args:
+        data (str): JSON formatted string.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict: dict resulting from the serialization of a JSON formatted string.
+    """
+
+    return json.loads(data, encoding="utf-8")
+
+
+def timestamp():
+    """Calculate a UTC timestamp with microsecond precision.
+
+    Returns:
+        str: UTC timestamp.
+
+    """
+    dt = datetime.utcnow()
+    return "{0:.6f}".format(time.mktime(dt.timetuple()) + dt.microsecond / 1e6)
+
+
+def create_tx(current_owner, new_owner, tx_input, operation, payload=None):
+    """Create a new transaction
+
+    A transaction in the bigchain is a transfer of a digital asset between two entities represented
+    by public keys.
+
+    Currently the bigchain supports two types of operations:
+
+        `CREATE` - Only federation nodes are allowed to use this operation. In a create operation
+        a federation node creates a digital asset in the bigchain and assigns that asset to a public
+        key. The owner of the private key can then decided to transfer this digital asset by using the
+        `transaction id` of the transaction as an input in a `TRANSFER` transaction.
+
+        `TRANSFER` - A transfer operation allows for a transfer of the digital assets between entities.
+
+    Args:
+        current_owner (str): base58 encoded public key of the current owner of the asset.
+        new_owner (str): base58 encoded public key of the new owner of the digital asset.
+        tx_input (str): id of the transaction to use as input.
+        operation (str): Either `CREATE` or `TRANSFER` operation.
+        payload (Optional[dict]): dictionary with information about asset.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict: unsigned transaction.
+
+
+    Raises:
+        TypeError: if the optional ``payload`` argument is not a ``dict``.
+    """
+
+    data = None
+    if payload is not None:
+        if isinstance(payload, dict):
+            hash_payload = hash_data(serialize(payload))
+            data = {
+                'hash': hash_payload,
+                'payload': payload
+            }
+        else:
+            raise TypeError('`payload` must be an dict instance')
+
+    hash_payload = hash_data(serialize(payload))
+    data = {
+        'hash': hash_payload,
+        'payload': payload
+    }
+
+    tx = {
+        'current_owner': current_owner,
+        'new_owner': new_owner,
+        'input': tx_input,
+        'operation': operation,
+        'timestamp': timestamp(),
+        'data': data
+    }
+
+    # serialize and convert to bytes
+    tx_serialized = serialize(tx)
+    tx_hash = hash_data(tx_serialized)
+
+    # create the transaction
+    transaction = {
+        'id': tx_hash,
+        'transaction': tx
+    }
+
+    return transaction
+
+
+def sign_tx(transaction, private_key):
+    """Sign a transaction
+
+    A transaction signed with the `current_owner` corresponding private key.
+
+    Args:
+        transaction (dict): transaction to sign.
+        private_key (str): base58 encoded private key to create a signature of the transaction.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict: transaction with the `signature` field included.
+
+    """
+    private_key = PrivateKey(private_key)
+    signature = private_key.sign(serialize(transaction))
+    signed_transaction = transaction.copy()
+    signed_transaction.update({'signature': signature})
+    return signed_transaction
+
+
+def create_and_sign_tx(private_key, current_owner, new_owner, tx_input, operation='TRANSFER', payload=None):
+    tx = create_tx(current_owner, new_owner, tx_input, operation, payload)
+    return sign_tx(tx, private_key)
+
+
+def check_hash_and_signature(transaction):
+    # Check hash of the transaction
+    calculated_hash = hash_data(serialize(transaction['transaction']))
+    if calculated_hash != transaction['id']:
+        raise exceptions.InvalidHash()
+
+    # Check signature
+    if not verify_signature(transaction):
+        raise exceptions.InvalidSignature()
+
+
+def verify_signature(signed_transaction):
+    """Verify the signature of a transaction
+
+    A valid transaction should have been signed `current_owner` corresponding private key.
+
+    Args:
+        signed_transaction (dict): a transaction with the `signature` included.
+
+    Returns:
+        bool: True if the signature is correct, False otherwise.
+    """
+
+    data = signed_transaction.copy()
+
+    # if assignee field in the transaction, remove it
+    if 'assignee' in data:
+        data.pop('assignee')
+
+    signature = data.pop('signature')
+    public_key_base58 = signed_transaction['transaction']['current_owner']
+    public_key = PublicKey(public_key_base58)
+    return public_key.verify(serialize(data), signature)
+
+
+def transform_create(tx):
+    """Change the owner and signature for a ``CREATE`` transaction created by a node"""
+
+    # XXX: the next instruction opens a new connection to the DB, consider using a singleton or a global
+    #      if you need a Bigchain instance.
+    b = bigchaindb.Bigchain()
+    transaction = tx['transaction']
+    payload = None
+    if transaction['data'] and 'payload' in transaction['data']:
+        payload = transaction['data']['payload']
+    new_tx = create_tx(b.me, transaction['current_owner'], None, 'CREATE', payload=payload)
+    return new_tx
+
diff --git a/bigchaindb/web/__init__.py b/bigchaindb/web/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/bigchaindb/web/server.py b/bigchaindb/web/server.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a062e4ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bigchaindb/web/server.py
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+"""This module contains basic functions to instantiate the BigchainDB API. """
+
+from flask import Flask
+
+from bigchaindb import Bigchain
+from bigchaindb.web import views
+
+
+def create_app(debug=False):
+    """Return an instance of the Flask application.
+
+    Args:
+        debug (bool): a flag to activate the debug mode for the app (default: False).
+    """
+
+    app = Flask(__name__)
+    app.debug = debug
+    app.config['bigchain'] = Bigchain()
+    app.register_blueprint(views.basic_views, url_prefix='/api/v1')
+    return app
+
diff --git a/bigchaindb/web/views.py b/bigchaindb/web/views.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..04d3992d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bigchaindb/web/views.py
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+"""This module provides the blueprint for some basic API endpoints.
+
+For more information please refer to the documentation in Apiary:
+ - http://docs.bigchaindb.apiary.io/
+"""
+
+import flask
+from flask import current_app, request, Blueprint
+
+from bigchaindb import util
+
+
+basic_views = Blueprint('basic_views', __name__)
+
+
+@basic_views.record
+def get_bigchain(state):
+    bigchain = state.app.config.get('bigchain')
+
+    if bigchain is None:
+        raise Exception('This blueprint expects you to provide '
+                        'database access through `bigchain`')
+
+
+
+@basic_views.route('/transactions/<tx_id>')
+def get_transaction(tx_id):
+    """API endpoint to get details about a transaction.
+
+    Args:
+        tx_id (str): the id of the transaction.
+
+    Return:
+        A JSON string containing the data about the transaction.
+    """
+
+    bigchain = current_app.config['bigchain']
+
+    tx = bigchain.get_transaction(tx_id)
+    return flask.jsonify(**tx)
+
+
+@basic_views.route('/transactions/', methods=['POST'])
+def create_transaction():
+    """API endpoint to push transactions to the Federation.
+
+    Return:
+        A JSON string containing the data about the transaction.
+    """
+    bigchain = current_app.config['bigchain']
+
+    val = {}
+
+    # `force` will try to format the body of the POST request even if the `content-type` header is not
+    # set to `application/json`
+    tx = request.get_json(force=True)
+
+    if tx['transaction']['operation'] == 'CREATE':
+        tx = util.transform_create(tx)
+        tx = util.sign_tx(tx, bigchain.me_private)
+
+    if not util.verify_signature(tx):
+        val['error'] = 'Invalid transaction signature'
+
+    val = bigchain.write_transaction(tx)
+
+    return flask.jsonify(**tx)
+
diff --git a/docs/requirements.txt b/docs/requirements.txt
index 3ffbffed..9e6b6214 100644
--- a/docs/requirements.txt
+++ b/docs/requirements.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 Sphinx==1.3.5
 sphinxcontrib-napoleon==0.4.4
+sphinx-rtd-theme>=0.1.9
 recommonmark
diff --git a/docs/source/conf.py b/docs/source/conf.py
index 3651eb79..04f749df 100644
--- a/docs/source/conf.py
+++ b/docs/source/conf.py
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ from recommonmark.parser import CommonMarkParser
 # Add any Sphinx extension module names here, as strings. They can be
 # extensions coming with Sphinx (named 'sphinx.ext.*') or your custom
 # ones.
+import sphinx_rtd_theme
+
+
 extensions = [
     'sphinx.ext.autodoc',
     'sphinx.ext.intersphinx',
@@ -119,7 +122,8 @@ todo_include_todos = False
 
 # The theme to use for HTML and HTML Help pages.  See the documentation for
 # a list of builtin themes.
-html_theme = 'alabaster'
+html_theme = 'sphinx_rtd_theme'
+
 
 # Theme options are theme-specific and customize the look and feel of a theme
 # further.  For a list of options available for each theme, see the
@@ -127,7 +131,7 @@ html_theme = 'alabaster'
 #html_theme_options = {}
 
 # Add any paths that contain custom themes here, relative to this directory.
-#html_theme_path = []
+html_theme_path = [sphinx_rtd_theme.get_html_theme_path()]
 
 # The name for this set of Sphinx documents.  If None, it defaults to
 # "<project> v<release> documentation".
diff --git a/docs/source/index.rst b/docs/source/index.rst
index d15ff99b..6934f335 100644
--- a/docs/source/index.rst
+++ b/docs/source/index.rst
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ Table of Contents
    installing
    getting-started
    bigchaindb-cli
+   python-api-tutorial
    admin
    cryptography
    models
diff --git a/docs/source/installing.md b/docs/source/installing.md
index 9ff24298..3e38013f 100644
--- a/docs/source/installing.md
+++ b/docs/source/installing.md
@@ -27,12 +27,20 @@ If you don't already have it, then you should [install Python 3.4+](https://www.
 
 BigchainDB has some OS-level dependencies. In particular, you need to install the OS-level dependencies for the Python **cryptography** package. Instructions for installing those dependencies on your OS can be found in the [cryptography package documentation](https://cryptography.io/en/latest/installation/).
 
-On Ubuntu 14.04, we found that the following was enough (YMMV):
+On Ubuntu 14.04, we found that the following was enough:
 ```text
 $ sudo apt-get update
 $ sudo apt-get install libffi-dev g++ libssl-dev python3-dev
 ```
 
+On Fedora 23, we found that the following was enough (tested in February 2015):
+```text
+$ sudo dnf update
+$ sudo dnf install libffi-devel gcc-c++ redhat-rpm-config python3-devel openssl-devel
+```
+
+(If you're using a version of Fedora before version 22, you may have to use `yum` instead of `dnf`.)
+
 With OS-level dependencies installed, you can install BigchainDB with `pip` or from source.
 
 ### How to Install BigchainDB with `pip`
diff --git a/docs/source/python-api-tutorial.md b/docs/source/python-api-tutorial.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..84c64650
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/source/python-api-tutorial.md
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+# Getting started with the HTTP API
+
+The preferred way to communicate with a Node in the BigchainDB Federation is via HTTP requests.
+Each Node exposes a simple HTTP API that provides, right now, two endpoints, one to get information about a specific
+transaction id, one to push transactions to the BigchainDB network.
+
+The endpoints are documented in [Apiary](http://docs.bigchaindb.apiary.io/).
+
+
+## Usage example using the Python client
+
+```python
+In [1]: from bigchaindb.client import temp_client
+In [2]: c1 = temp_client()
+In [3]: c2 = temp_client()
+In [4]: tx1 = c1.create()
+In [5]: tx1
+Out[5]:
+{'assignee': '2Bi5NUv1UL7h3ZGs5AsE6Gr3oPQhE2vGsYCapNYrAU4pr',
+'id': '26f21d8b5f9731cef631733b8cd1da05f87aa59eb2f939277a2fefeb774ae133',
+'signature': '304402201b904f22e9f5a502070244b64822adf28...',
+'transaction': {'current_owner': '2Bi5NUv1UL7h3ZGs5AsE6Gr3oPQhE2vGsYCapNYrAU4pr',
+ 'data': {'hash': 'efbde2c3aee204a69b7696d4b10ff31137fe78e3946306284f806e2dfc68b805',
+  'payload': None},
+ 'input': None,
+ 'new_owner': '247epGEcoX9m6yvR6sEZvYGb1XCpUUWtCNUVKgJGrFWCr',
+ 'operation': 'CREATE',
+ 'timestamp': '1456763521.824126'}}
+In [7]: c1.transfer(c2.public_key, tx1['id'])
+Out[7]:
+{'assignee': '2Bi5NUv1UL7h3ZGs5AsE6Gr3oPQhE2vGsYCapNYrAU4pr',
+'id': '34b62c9fdfd93f5907f35e2495239ae1cb62e9519ff64a8710f3f77a9f040857',
+'signature': '3046022100b2b2432c20310dfcda6a2bab3c893b0cd17e70fe...',
+'transaction': {'current_owner': '247epGEcoX9m6yvR6sEZvYGb1XCpUUWtCNUVKgJGrFWCr',
+ 'data': {'hash': 'efbde2c3aee204a69b7696d4b10ff31137fe78e3946306284f806e2dfc68b805',
+  'payload': None},
+ 'input': '26f21d8b5f9731cef631733b8cd1da05f87aa59eb2f939277a2fefeb774ae133',
+ 'new_owner': 'p5Ci1KJkPHvRBnxqyq36m8GXwkWSuhMiZSg8aB1ZrZgJ',
+ 'operation': 'TRANSFER',
+ 'timestamp': '1456763549.446138'}}
+```
+
+
+# Roadmap
+
+The development of the API is still at the beginning and you can follow it on
+[GitHub](https://github.com/bigchaindb/bigchaindb/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3Arest-api)
+
+There are several key features still missing like:
+ - validating the structure of the transaction
+ - returns the correct error codes if something goes wrong
+ - add an endpoint to query unspents for a given public key
+
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 26f111fa..083dc7a8 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ tests_require = [
     'pytest',
     'pytest-cov',
     'pytest-xdist',
+    'pytest-flask',
 ]
 
 dev_require = [
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ docs_require = [
     'recommonmark>=0.4.0',
     'Sphinx>=1.3.5',
     'sphinxcontrib-napoleon>=0.4.4',
+    'sphinx-rtd-theme>=0.1.9',
 ]
 
 setup(
@@ -80,6 +82,8 @@ setup(
         'logstats==0.2.1',
         'base58==0.2.2',
         'bitcoin==1.1.42',
+        'flask==0.10.1',
+        'requests==2.9',
     ],
     setup_requires=['pytest-runner'],
     tests_require=tests_require,
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 2191f73b..3781b2b6 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -7,13 +7,14 @@ Tasks:
 """
 
 import os
+import copy
 
 import pytest
 
 
 DB_NAME = 'bigchain_test_{}'.format(os.getpid())
 
-config = {
+CONFIG = {
     'database': {
         'name': DB_NAME
     },
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ def restore_config(request, node_config):
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='module')
 def node_config():
-    return config
+    return copy.deepcopy(CONFIG)
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
@@ -47,3 +48,11 @@ def user_private_key():
 @pytest.fixture
 def user_public_key():
     return USER_PUBLIC_KEY
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def b(request, node_config):
+    restore_config(request, node_config)
+    from bigchaindb import Bigchain
+    return Bigchain()
+
diff --git a/tests/db/conftest.py b/tests/db/conftest.py
index b0545464..d79ee846 100644
--- a/tests/db/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/db/conftest.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ Tasks:
 import pytest
 import rethinkdb as r
 
+import bigchaindb
 from bigchaindb import Bigchain
 from bigchaindb.db import get_conn
 
@@ -80,6 +81,23 @@ def cleanup_tables(request, node_config):
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
-def b():
-    return Bigchain()
+def inputs(user_public_key, amount=1, b=None):
+    # 1. create the genesis block
+    b = b or Bigchain()
+    try:
+        b.create_genesis_block()
+    except bigchaindb.core.GenesisBlockAlreadyExistsError:
+        pass
+
+    # 2. create block with transactions for `USER` to spend
+    transactions = []
+    for i in range(amount):
+        tx = b.create_transaction(b.me, user_public_key, None, 'CREATE')
+        tx_signed = b.sign_transaction(tx, b.me_private)
+        transactions.append(tx_signed)
+        b.write_transaction(tx_signed)
+
+    block = b.create_block(transactions)
+    b.write_block(block, durability='hard')
+    return block
 
diff --git a/tests/db/test_bigchain_api.py b/tests/db/test_bigchain_api.py
index f956f1e2..1fed8800 100644
--- a/tests/db/test_bigchain_api.py
+++ b/tests/db/test_bigchain_api.py
@@ -6,38 +6,13 @@ import pytest
 import rethinkdb as r
 
 import bigchaindb
+from bigchaindb import util
 from bigchaindb import exceptions
-from bigchaindb import Bigchain
-from bigchaindb.crypto import hash_data, PrivateKey, PublicKey, generate_key_pair
+from bigchaindb.crypto import PrivateKey, PublicKey, generate_key_pair, hash_data
 from bigchaindb.voter import Voter
 from bigchaindb.block import Block
 
 
-def create_inputs(user_public_key, amount=1, b=None):
-    # 1. create the genesis block
-    b = b or Bigchain()
-    try:
-        b.create_genesis_block()
-    except bigchaindb.core.GenesisBlockAlreadyExistsError:
-        pass
-
-    # 2. create block with transactions for `USER` to spend
-    transactions = []
-    for i in range(amount):
-        tx = b.create_transaction(b.me, user_public_key, None, 'CREATE')
-        tx_signed = b.sign_transaction(tx, b.me_private)
-        transactions.append(tx_signed)
-        b.write_transaction(tx_signed)
-
-    block = b.create_block(transactions)
-    b.write_block(block, durability='hard')
-    return block
-
-
-@pytest.fixture
-def inputs(user_public_key):
-    return create_inputs(user_public_key)
-
 
 @pytest.mark.skipif(reason='Some tests throw a ResourceWarning that might result in some weird '
                            'exceptions while running the tests. The problem seems to *not* '
@@ -69,7 +44,7 @@ class TestBigchainApi(object):
             'operation': 'd',
             'timestamp': tx['transaction']['timestamp'],
             'data': {
-                'hash': hash_data(b.serialize(payload)),
+                'hash': hash_data(util.serialize(payload)),
                 'payload': payload
             }
         }
@@ -77,7 +52,7 @@ class TestBigchainApi(object):
         # assert tx_hash == tx_calculated_hash
 
     def test_transaction_signature(self, b):
-        sk, vk = b.generate_keys()
+        sk, vk = generate_key_pair()
         tx = b.create_transaction(vk, 'b', 'c', 'd')
         tx_signed = b.sign_transaction(tx, sk)
 
@@ -86,7 +61,7 @@ class TestBigchainApi(object):
 
     def test_serializer(self, b):
         tx = b.create_transaction('a', 'b', 'c', 'd')
-        assert b.deserialize(b.serialize(tx)) == tx
+        assert util.deserialize(util.serialize(tx)) == tx
 
     @pytest.mark.usefixtures('inputs')
     def test_write_transaction(self, b, user_public_key, user_private_key):
@@ -114,7 +89,7 @@ class TestBigchainApi(object):
         b.write_block(block, durability='hard')
 
         response = b.get_transaction(tx_signed["id"])
-        assert b.serialize(tx_signed) == b.serialize(response)
+        assert util.serialize(tx_signed) == util.serialize(response)
 
     @pytest.mark.usefixtures('inputs')
     def test_assign_transaction_one_node(self, b, user_public_key, user_private_key):
@@ -129,11 +104,11 @@ class TestBigchainApi(object):
         # check if the assignee is the current node
         assert response['assignee'] == b.me
 
+    @pytest.mark.usefixtures('inputs')
     def test_assign_transaction_multiple_nodes(self, b, user_public_key, user_private_key):
         # create 5 federation nodes
         for _ in range(5):
-            b.federation_nodes.append(b.generate_keys()[1])
-        create_inputs(user_public_key, amount=20, b=b)
+            b.federation_nodes.append(generate_key_pair()[1])
 
         # test assignee for several transactions
         for _ in range(20):
@@ -210,11 +185,11 @@ class TestBigchainApi(object):
 
     def test_create_new_block(self, b):
         new_block = b.create_block([])
-        block_hash = hash_data(b.serialize(new_block['block']))
+        block_hash = hash_data(util.serialize(new_block['block']))
 
         assert new_block['block']['voters'] == [b.me]
         assert new_block['block']['node_pubkey'] == b.me
-        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(b.serialize(new_block['block']), new_block['signature']) is True
+        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(util.serialize(new_block['block']), new_block['signature']) is True
         assert new_block['id'] == block_hash
         assert new_block['votes'] == []
 
@@ -389,13 +364,13 @@ class TestBlockValidation(object):
 
         # create a block with invalid transactions
         block = {
-            'timestamp': b.timestamp(),
+            'timestamp': util.timestamp(),
             'transactions': [tx_invalid],
             'node_pubkey': b.me,
             'voters': b.federation_nodes
         }
 
-        block_data = b.serialize(block)
+        block_data = util.serialize(block)
         block_hash = hash_data(block_data)
         block_signature = PrivateKey(b.me_private).sign(block_data)
 
@@ -508,7 +483,7 @@ class TestBigchainVoter(object):
         assert vote['vote']['is_block_valid'] is True
         assert vote['vote']['invalid_reason'] is None
         assert vote['node_pubkey'] == b.me
-        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(b.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
+        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(util.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
 
     def test_invalid_block_voting(self, b, user_public_key):
         # create queue and voter
@@ -549,7 +524,7 @@ class TestBigchainVoter(object):
         assert vote['vote']['is_block_valid'] is False
         assert vote['vote']['invalid_reason'] is None
         assert vote['node_pubkey'] == b.me
-        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(b.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
+        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(util.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
 
     def test_vote_creation_valid(self, b):
         # create valid block
@@ -563,7 +538,7 @@ class TestBigchainVoter(object):
         assert vote['vote']['is_block_valid'] is True
         assert vote['vote']['invalid_reason'] is None
         assert vote['node_pubkey'] == b.me
-        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(b.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
+        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(util.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
 
     def test_vote_creation_invalid(self, b):
         # create valid block
@@ -577,7 +552,7 @@ class TestBigchainVoter(object):
         assert vote['vote']['is_block_valid'] is False
         assert vote['vote']['invalid_reason'] is None
         assert vote['node_pubkey'] == b.me
-        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(b.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
+        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(util.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
 
 
 class TestBigchainBlock(object):
diff --git a/tests/db/test_utils.py b/tests/db/test_utils.py
index 287fdfcf..9e032b25 100644
--- a/tests/db/test_utils.py
+++ b/tests/db/test_utils.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import pytest
 import rethinkdb as r
 
 import bigchaindb
+from bigchaindb import util
 from bigchaindb.db import utils
 from .conftest import setup_database as _setup_database
 
diff --git a/tests/db/test_voter.py b/tests/db/test_voter.py
index 6800ce1c..d8146829 100644
--- a/tests/db/test_voter.py
+++ b/tests/db/test_voter.py
@@ -3,8 +3,10 @@ import time
 import rethinkdb as r
 import multiprocessing as mp
 
+from bigchaindb import util
+
 from bigchaindb.voter import Voter, BlockStream
-from bigchaindb.crypto import PublicKey
+from bigchaindb.crypto import PublicKey, generate_key_pair
 
 
 class TestBigchainVoter(object):
@@ -43,7 +45,7 @@ class TestBigchainVoter(object):
         assert vote['vote']['is_block_valid'] is True
         assert vote['vote']['invalid_reason'] is None
         assert vote['node_pubkey'] == b.me
-        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(b.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
+        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(util.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
 
     def test_valid_block_voting_with_create_transaction(self, b):
         q_new_block = mp.Queue()
@@ -51,7 +53,7 @@ class TestBigchainVoter(object):
         genesis = b.create_genesis_block()
 
         # create a `CREATE` transaction
-        test_user_priv, test_user_pub = b.generate_keys()
+        test_user_priv, test_user_pub = generate_key_pair()
         tx = b.create_transaction(b.me, test_user_pub, None, 'CREATE')
         tx_signed = b.sign_transaction(tx, b.me_private)
         assert b.is_valid_transaction(tx_signed)
@@ -85,7 +87,7 @@ class TestBigchainVoter(object):
         assert vote['vote']['is_block_valid'] is True
         assert vote['vote']['invalid_reason'] is None
         assert vote['node_pubkey'] == b.me
-        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(b.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
+        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(util.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
 
     def test_valid_block_voting_with_transfer_transactions(self, b):
         q_new_block = mp.Queue()
@@ -93,7 +95,7 @@ class TestBigchainVoter(object):
         b.create_genesis_block()
 
         # create a `CREATE` transaction
-        test_user_priv, test_user_pub = b.generate_keys()
+        test_user_priv, test_user_pub = generate_key_pair()
         tx = b.create_transaction(b.me, test_user_pub, None, 'CREATE')
         tx_signed = b.sign_transaction(tx, b.me_private)
         assert b.is_valid_transaction(tx_signed)
@@ -122,7 +124,7 @@ class TestBigchainVoter(object):
         assert len(blocks[1]['votes']) == 1
 
         # create a `TRANSFER` transaction
-        test_user2_priv, test_user2_pub = b.generate_keys()
+        test_user2_priv, test_user2_pub = generate_key_pair()
         tx2 = b.create_transaction(test_user_pub, test_user2_pub, tx['id'], 'TRANSFER')
         tx2_signed = b.sign_transaction(tx2, test_user_priv)
         assert b.is_valid_transaction(tx2_signed)
@@ -156,7 +158,7 @@ class TestBigchainVoter(object):
         assert vote['vote']['is_block_valid'] is True
         assert vote['vote']['invalid_reason'] is None
         assert vote['node_pubkey'] == b.me
-        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(b.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
+        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(util.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
 
     def test_invalid_block_voting(self, b, user_public_key):
         # create queue and voter
@@ -195,7 +197,7 @@ class TestBigchainVoter(object):
         assert vote['vote']['is_block_valid'] is False
         assert vote['vote']['invalid_reason'] is None
         assert vote['node_pubkey'] == b.me
-        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(b.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
+        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(util.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
 
     def test_vote_creation_valid(self, b):
         # create valid block
@@ -209,7 +211,7 @@ class TestBigchainVoter(object):
         assert vote['vote']['is_block_valid'] is True
         assert vote['vote']['invalid_reason'] is None
         assert vote['node_pubkey'] == b.me
-        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(b.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
+        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(util.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
 
     def test_vote_creation_invalid(self, b):
         # create valid block
@@ -223,7 +225,7 @@ class TestBigchainVoter(object):
         assert vote['vote']['is_block_valid'] is False
         assert vote['vote']['invalid_reason'] is None
         assert vote['node_pubkey'] == b.me
-        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(b.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
+        assert PublicKey(b.me).verify(util.serialize(vote['vote']), vote['signature']) is True
 
     def test_voter_considers_unvoted_blocks_when_single_node(self, b):
         # simulate a voter going donw in a single node environment
@@ -299,7 +301,7 @@ class TestBlockStream(object):
 
     def test_if_federation_size_is_greater_than_one_ignore_past_blocks(self, b):
         for _ in range(5):
-            b.federation_nodes.append(b.generate_keys()[1])
+            b.federation_nodes.append(generate_key_pair()[1])
         new_blocks = mp.Queue()
         bs = BlockStream(new_blocks)
         block_1 = b.create_block([])
diff --git a/tests/test_client.py b/tests/test_client.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f5e15cad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_client.py
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+import pytest
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def client():
+    from bigchaindb.client import temp_client
+    return temp_client()
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def mock_requests_post(monkeypatch):
+    class MockResponse:
+        def __init__(self, json):
+            self._json = json
+
+        def json(self):
+            return self._json
+
+    def mockreturn(*args, **kwargs):
+        return MockResponse(kwargs.get('json'))
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr('requests.post', mockreturn)
+
+
+def test_temp_client_returns_a_temp_client():
+    from bigchaindb.client import temp_client
+    client = temp_client()
+    assert client.public_key
+    assert client.private_key
+
+
+def test_client_can_create_assets(mock_requests_post, client):
+    from bigchaindb import util
+
+    tx = client.create()
+
+    # XXX: `CREATE` operations require the node that receives the transaction to modify the data in
+    #      the transaction itself.
+    #      `current_owner` will be overwritten with the public key of the node in the federation
+    #      that will create the real transaction. `signature` will be overwritten with the new signature.
+    #      Note that this scenario is ignored by this test.
+    assert tx['transaction']['current_owner'] == client.public_key
+    assert tx['transaction']['new_owner'] == client.public_key
+    assert tx['transaction']['input'] == None
+
+    assert util.verify_signature(tx)
+
+
+def test_client_can_transfer_assets(mock_requests_post, client):
+    from bigchaindb import util
+
+    tx = client.transfer('a', 123)
+
+    assert tx['transaction']['current_owner'] == client.public_key
+    assert tx['transaction']['new_owner'] == 'a'
+    assert tx['transaction']['input'] == 123
+
+    assert util.verify_signature(tx)
+
diff --git a/tests/test_commands.py b/tests/test_commands.py
index 57ebdbe9..6e731c13 100644
--- a/tests/test_commands.py
+++ b/tests/test_commands.py
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ def test_bigchain_run_start_assume_yes_create_default_config(monkeypatch, mock_p
         value['return'] = newconfig
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(config_utils, 'write_config', mock_write_config)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(config_utils, 'file_config', lambda x: config_utils.dict_config(value['return']))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(config_utils, 'file_config', lambda x: config_utils.dict_config(expected_config))
     monkeypatch.setattr('os.path.exists', lambda path: False)
 
     args = Namespace(config=None, yes=True)
diff --git a/tests/test_core.py b/tests/test_core.py
index 6374b8be..9857b37f 100644
--- a/tests/test_core.py
+++ b/tests/test_core.py
@@ -1,10 +1,8 @@
-import copy
 import pytest
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
-def config(request):
-    import bigchaindb
+def config(request, monkeypatch):
     config = {
         'database': {
             'host': 'host',
@@ -18,13 +16,10 @@ def config(request):
         'keyring': [],
         'CONFIGURED': True,
     }
-    bigchaindb.config.update(config)
 
-    def fin():
-        bigchaindb.config = bigchaindb._config
-        bigchaindb._config = copy.deepcopy(bigchaindb._config)
-    request.addfinalizer(fin)
-    return bigchaindb.config
+    monkeypatch.setattr('bigchaindb.config', config)
+
+    return config
 
 
 def test_bigchain_class_default_initialization(config):
diff --git a/tests/test_util.py b/tests/test_util.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f4708b59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_util.py
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+from bigchaindb import util
+
+
+def test_transform_create(b, user_private_key, user_public_key):
+    tx = util.create_tx(user_public_key, user_public_key, None, 'CREATE')
+    tx = util.transform_create(tx)
+    tx = util.sign_tx(tx, b.me_private)
+
+    assert tx['transaction']['current_owner'] == b.me
+    assert tx['transaction']['new_owner'] == user_public_key
+    assert util.verify_signature(tx)
+
diff --git a/tests/utils/test_config_utils.py b/tests/utils/test_config_utils.py
index 57539246..2cf57242 100644
--- a/tests/utils/test_config_utils.py
+++ b/tests/utils/test_config_utils.py
@@ -3,14 +3,15 @@ import copy
 import pytest
 
 import bigchaindb
+from bigchaindb import exceptions
 
 
 ORIGINAL_CONFIG = copy.deepcopy(bigchaindb._config)
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function', autouse=True)
-def clean_config():
-    bigchaindb.config = copy.deepcopy(ORIGINAL_CONFIG)
+def clean_config(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr('bigchaindb.config', copy.deepcopy(ORIGINAL_CONFIG))
 
 
 def test_bigchain_instance_is_initialized_when_conf_provided():
@@ -34,5 +35,5 @@ def test_bigchain_instance_raises_when_not_configured(monkeypatch):
     # from existing configurations
     monkeypatch.setattr(config_utils, 'autoconfigure', lambda: 0)
 
-    with pytest.raises(bigchaindb.core.KeypairNotFoundException):
+    with pytest.raises(exceptions.KeypairNotFoundException):
         bigchaindb.Bigchain()
diff --git a/tests/web/__init__.py b/tests/web/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/tests/web/conftest.py b/tests/web/conftest.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..099f2fd3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/web/conftest.py
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+import pytest
+from ..db import conftest
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def restore_config(request, node_config):
+    from bigchaindb import config_utils
+    config_utils.dict_config(node_config)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(scope='module', autouse=True)
+def setup_database(request, node_config):
+    conftest.setup_database(request, node_config)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(scope='function', autouse=True)
+def cleanup_tables(request, node_config):
+    conftest.cleanup_tables(request, node_config)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def app(request, node_config):
+    # XXX: For whatever reason this fixture runs before `restore_config`,
+    #      so we need to manually call it.
+    restore_config(request, node_config)
+
+    from bigchaindb.web import server
+    app = server.create_app(debug=True)
+    return app
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def inputs(user_public_key):
+    conftest.inputs(user_public_key)
+
diff --git a/tests/web/test_basic_views.py b/tests/web/test_basic_views.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..04a1c292
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/web/test_basic_views.py
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+import json
+
+import pytest
+from bigchaindb import crypto
+from bigchaindb import util
+
+
+TX_ENDPOINT = '/api/v1/transactions/'
+
+
+@pytest.mark.usefixtures('inputs')
+def test_get_transaction_endpoint(b, client, user_public_key):
+    input_tx = b.get_owned_ids(user_public_key).pop()
+    tx = b.get_transaction(input_tx)
+    res = client.get(TX_ENDPOINT + input_tx)
+    assert tx == res.json
+
+
+def test_post_create_transaction_endpoint(b, client):
+    keypair = crypto.generate_key_pair()
+
+    tx = util.create_and_sign_tx(keypair[0], keypair[1], keypair[1], None, 'CREATE')
+
+    res = client.post(TX_ENDPOINT, data=json.dumps(tx))
+    assert res.json['transaction']['current_owner'] == b.me
+    assert res.json['transaction']['new_owner'] == keypair[1]
+
+
+def test_post_transfer_transaction_endpoint(b, client):
+    from_keypair = crypto.generate_key_pair()
+    to_keypair = crypto.generate_key_pair()
+
+    tx = util.create_and_sign_tx(from_keypair[0], from_keypair[1], from_keypair[1], None, 'CREATE')
+    res = client.post(TX_ENDPOINT, data=json.dumps(tx))
+    tx_id = res.json['id']
+
+    transfer = util.create_and_sign_tx(from_keypair[0], from_keypair[1], to_keypair[1], tx_id)
+    res = client.post(TX_ENDPOINT, data=json.dumps(transfer))
+
+    assert res.json['transaction']['current_owner'] == from_keypair[1]
+    assert res.json['transaction']['new_owner'] == to_keypair[1]
+