diff --git a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/data_availability_router.rs b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/data_availability_router.rs
index b480cce5b0..1524e4a5ae 100644
--- a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/data_availability_router.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/data_availability_router.rs
@@ -388,14 +388,14 @@ impl<T: BeaconChainTypes> DataAvailabilityRouter<T> {
     /// Direct access to v1 checker for block execution/availability checks.
     ///
     /// Use this for operations that are specific to the legacy DA checker,
-    pub fn v1(&self) -> Arc<DataAvailabilityChecker<T>> {
-        self.v1.clone()
+    pub fn v1(&self) -> &Arc<DataAvailabilityChecker<T>> {
+        &self.v1
     }
 
     /// Direct access to v2 checker for payload availability checks.
     ///
     /// Use this for operations that are specific to the Gloas DA checker,
-    pub fn v2(&self) -> Arc<DataAvailabilityCheckerV2<T>> {
-        self.v2.clone()
+    pub fn v2(&self) -> &Arc<DataAvailabilityCheckerV2<T>> {
+        &self.v2
     }
 }
diff --git a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/test_utils.rs b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/test_utils.rs
index 2bf04a8401..e738be7692 100644
--- a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/test_utils.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/src/test_utils.rs
@@ -2490,7 +2490,7 @@ where
             return RpcBlock::new(
                 block,
                 Some(AvailableBlockData::NoData),
-                &self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                 self.chain.spec.clone(),
             )
             .unwrap();
@@ -2509,7 +2509,7 @@ where
             RpcBlock::new(
                 block,
                 Some(block_data),
-                &self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                 self.chain.spec.clone(),
             )
             .unwrap()
@@ -2524,7 +2524,7 @@ where
             RpcBlock::new(
                 block,
                 Some(block_data),
-                &self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                 self.chain.spec.clone(),
             )
             .unwrap()
@@ -2555,14 +2555,14 @@ where
                     RpcBlock::new(
                         block,
                         Some(block_data),
-                        &self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                        self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                         self.chain.spec.clone(),
                     )?
                 } else {
                     RpcBlock::new(
                         block,
                         None,
-                        &self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                        self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                         self.chain.spec.clone(),
                     )?
                 }
@@ -2570,14 +2570,14 @@ where
                 RpcBlock::new(
                     block,
                     Some(AvailableBlockData::NoData),
-                    &self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                    self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                     self.chain.spec.clone(),
                 )?
             } else {
                 RpcBlock::new(
                     block,
                     None,
-                    &self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                    self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                     self.chain.spec.clone(),
                 )?
             }
@@ -2598,14 +2598,14 @@ where
                 RpcBlock::new(
                     block,
                     Some(block_data),
-                    &self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                    self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                     self.chain.spec.clone(),
                 )?
             } else {
                 RpcBlock::new(
                     block,
                     None,
-                    &self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                    self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                     self.chain.spec.clone(),
                 )?
             }
diff --git a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/tests/block_verification.rs b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/tests/block_verification.rs
index 952170b12a..b6cac025a0 100644
--- a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/tests/block_verification.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/tests/block_verification.rs
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ where
             RpcBlock::new(
                 block,
                 Some(block_data),
-                &chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                 chain.spec.clone(),
             )
             .unwrap()
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ where
             RpcBlock::new(
                 block,
                 Some(block_data),
-                &chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                 chain.spec.clone(),
             )
             .unwrap()
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ where
         None => RpcBlock::new(
             block,
             Some(AvailableBlockData::NoData),
-            &chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+            chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
             chain.spec.clone(),
         )
         .unwrap(),
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ async fn chain_segment_non_linear_parent_roots() {
     blocks[3] = RpcBlock::new(
         Arc::new(SignedBeaconBlock::from_block(block, signature)),
         blocks[3].block_data().cloned(),
-        &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+        harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
         harness.spec.clone(),
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ async fn chain_segment_non_linear_slots() {
     blocks[3] = RpcBlock::new(
         Arc::new(SignedBeaconBlock::from_block(block, signature)),
         blocks[3].block_data().cloned(),
-        &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+        harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
         harness.spec.clone(),
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ async fn chain_segment_non_linear_slots() {
     blocks[3] = RpcBlock::new(
         Arc::new(SignedBeaconBlock::from_block(block, signature)),
         blocks[3].block_data().cloned(),
-        &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+        harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
         harness.chain.spec.clone(),
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -634,7 +634,7 @@ async fn invalid_signature_gossip_block() {
         let rpc_block = RpcBlock::new(
             Arc::new(signed_block),
             None,
-            &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+            harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
             harness.spec.clone(),
         )
         .unwrap();
@@ -1645,7 +1645,7 @@ async fn add_base_block_to_altair_chain() {
     let base_rpc_block = RpcBlock::new(
         Arc::new(base_block.clone()),
         None,
-        &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+        harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
         harness.spec.clone(),
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -1676,7 +1676,7 @@ async fn add_base_block_to_altair_chain() {
                     RpcBlock::new(
                         Arc::new(base_block),
                         None,
-                        &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                        harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                         harness.spec.clone()
                     )
                     .unwrap()
@@ -1796,7 +1796,7 @@ async fn add_altair_block_to_base_chain() {
     let altair_rpc_block = RpcBlock::new(
         Arc::new(altair_block.clone()),
         None,
-        &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+        harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
         harness.spec.clone(),
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -1827,7 +1827,7 @@ async fn add_altair_block_to_base_chain() {
                     RpcBlock::new(
                         Arc::new(altair_block),
                         None,
-                        &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                        harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                         harness.spec.clone()
                     )
                     .unwrap()
@@ -1897,7 +1897,7 @@ async fn import_duplicate_block_unrealized_justification() {
     let rpc_block = RpcBlock::new(
         block.clone(),
         Some(AvailableBlockData::NoData),
-        &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+        harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
         harness.spec.clone(),
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -2000,7 +2000,7 @@ async fn signature_verify_mixed_rpc_block_variants() {
             RpcBlock::new(
                 block,
                 None,
-                &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                 harness.chain.spec.clone(),
             )
             .unwrap()
@@ -2070,7 +2070,7 @@ async fn rpc_block_construction_fails_with_wrong_blob_count() {
             let result = RpcBlock::new(
                 Arc::new(block),
                 Some(block_data),
-                &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                 harness.chain.spec.clone(),
             );
 
@@ -2145,7 +2145,7 @@ async fn rpc_block_rejects_missing_custody_columns() {
                 let result = RpcBlock::new(
                     Arc::new(block),
                     Some(block_data),
-                    &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                    harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                     harness.chain.spec.clone(),
                 );
 
@@ -2233,7 +2233,7 @@ async fn rpc_block_allows_construction_past_da_boundary() {
             let result = RpcBlock::new(
                 Arc::new(block),
                 Some(AvailableBlockData::NoData),
-                &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                 harness.chain.spec.clone(),
             );
 
diff --git a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/tests/payload_invalidation.rs b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/tests/payload_invalidation.rs
index b02e832eae..b3a8b80e9b 100644
--- a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/tests/payload_invalidation.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/tests/payload_invalidation.rs
@@ -688,7 +688,7 @@ async fn invalidates_all_descendants() {
     let fork_rpc_block = RpcBlock::new(
         fork_block.clone(),
         None,
-        &rig.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+        rig.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
         rig.harness.chain.spec.clone(),
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -796,7 +796,7 @@ async fn switches_heads() {
     let fork_rpc_block = RpcBlock::new(
         fork_block.clone(),
         None,
-        &rig.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+        rig.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
         rig.harness.chain.spec.clone(),
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -1074,7 +1074,7 @@ async fn invalid_parent() {
     let rpc_block = RpcBlock::new(
         block.clone(),
         None,
-        &rig.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+        rig.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
         rig.harness.chain.spec.clone(),
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -1405,7 +1405,7 @@ async fn recover_from_invalid_head_by_importing_blocks() {
     let fork_rpc_block = RpcBlock::new(
         fork_block.clone(),
         None,
-        &rig.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+        rig.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
         rig.harness.chain.spec.clone(),
     )
     .unwrap();
diff --git a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/tests/store_tests.rs b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/tests/store_tests.rs
index 96c8b7748b..8fbba81038 100644
--- a/beacon_node/beacon_chain/tests/store_tests.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/beacon_chain/tests/store_tests.rs
@@ -3201,7 +3201,7 @@ async fn weak_subjectivity_sync_test(
             AvailableBlock::new(
                 Arc::new(corrupt_block),
                 data,
-                &beacon_chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                beacon_chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                 Arc::new(spec),
             )
             .expect("available block")
@@ -3751,7 +3751,7 @@ async fn process_blocks_and_attestations_for_unaligned_checkpoint() {
     let invalid_fork_rpc_block = RpcBlock::new(
         invalid_fork_block.clone(),
         None,
-        &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+        harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
         harness.spec.clone(),
     )
     .unwrap();
@@ -3773,7 +3773,7 @@ async fn process_blocks_and_attestations_for_unaligned_checkpoint() {
     let valid_fork_rpc_block = RpcBlock::new(
         valid_fork_block.clone(),
         None,
-        &harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+        harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
         harness.spec.clone(),
     )
     .unwrap();
diff --git a/beacon_node/http_api/src/publish_blocks.rs b/beacon_node/http_api/src/publish_blocks.rs
index 9f1da8111a..2d22dda66a 100644
--- a/beacon_node/http_api/src/publish_blocks.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/http_api/src/publish_blocks.rs
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ pub async fn publish_block<T: BeaconChainTypes, B: IntoGossipVerifiedBlock<T>>(
             let Ok(rpc_block) = RpcBlock::new(
                 block.clone(),
                 None,
-                &chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                 chain.spec.clone(),
             ) else {
                 return Err(warp_utils::reject::custom_bad_request(
diff --git a/beacon_node/network/src/network_beacon_processor/tests.rs b/beacon_node/network/src/network_beacon_processor/tests.rs
index 05297015e3..4764e77377 100644
--- a/beacon_node/network/src/network_beacon_processor/tests.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/network/src/network_beacon_processor/tests.rs
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ impl TestRig {
                 RpcBlock::new(
                     self.next_block.clone(),
                     None,
-                    &self._harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                    self._harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                     self._harness.spec.clone(),
                 )
                 .unwrap(),
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ impl TestRig {
                 RpcBlock::new(
                     self.next_block.clone(),
                     None,
-                    &self._harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                    self._harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                     self._harness.spec.clone(),
                 )
                 .unwrap(),
diff --git a/beacon_node/network/src/sync/network_context.rs b/beacon_node/network/src/sync/network_context.rs
index 22730fcff3..416d455736 100644
--- a/beacon_node/network/src/sync/network_context.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/network/src/sync/network_context.rs
@@ -1612,7 +1612,7 @@ impl<T: BeaconChainTypes> SyncNetworkContext<T> {
         let block = RpcBlock::new(
             block,
             None,
-            &self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+            self.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
             self.chain.spec.clone(),
         )
         .map_err(|_| SendErrorProcessor::SendError)?;
diff --git a/beacon_node/network/src/sync/tests/lookups.rs b/beacon_node/network/src/sync/tests/lookups.rs
index 63024bd2aa..e31570eaab 100644
--- a/beacon_node/network/src/sync/tests/lookups.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/network/src/sync/tests/lookups.rs
@@ -2290,7 +2290,7 @@ mod deneb_only {
             let block = RpcBlock::new(
                 block,
                 None,
-                &self.rig.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                self.rig.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                 self.rig.harness.chain.spec.clone(),
             )
             .unwrap();
diff --git a/beacon_node/network/src/sync/tests/range.rs b/beacon_node/network/src/sync/tests/range.rs
index 86c3652742..9283387ebd 100644
--- a/beacon_node/network/src/sync/tests/range.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/network/src/sync/tests/range.rs
@@ -454,7 +454,7 @@ fn build_rpc_block(
             RpcBlock::new(
                 block,
                 Some(block_data),
-                &chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                 chain.spec.clone(),
             )
             .unwrap()
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ fn build_rpc_block(
             RpcBlock::new(
                 block,
                 Some(block_data),
-                &chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                 chain.spec.clone(),
             )
             .unwrap()
@@ -478,7 +478,7 @@ fn build_rpc_block(
         None => RpcBlock::new(
             block,
             Some(AvailableBlockData::NoData),
-            &chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+            chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
             chain.spec.clone(),
         )
         .unwrap(),
diff --git a/testing/ef_tests/src/cases/fork_choice.rs b/testing/ef_tests/src/cases/fork_choice.rs
index b9f8e5ce5b..c62a2593ae 100644
--- a/testing/ef_tests/src/cases/fork_choice.rs
+++ b/testing/ef_tests/src/cases/fork_choice.rs
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ impl<E: EthSpec> Tester<E> {
                     RpcBlock::new(
                         block.clone(),
                         None,
-                        &self.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                        self.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                         self.harness.chain.spec.clone(),
                     )
                     .map_err(|e| Error::InternalError(format!("{:?}", e)))?,
@@ -665,7 +665,7 @@ impl<E: EthSpec> Tester<E> {
                     RpcBlock::new(
                         block.clone(),
                         None,
-                        &self.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
+                        self.harness.chain.data_availability_checker.v1(),
                         self.harness.chain.spec.clone(),
                     )
                     .map_err(|e| Error::InternalError(format!("{:?}", e)))?,