diff --git a/dash-spv-ffi/src/client.rs b/dash-spv-ffi/src/client.rs
index faf0235f4..4513a86f8 100644
--- a/dash-spv-ffi/src/client.rs
+++ b/dash-spv-ffi/src/client.rs
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ use std::mem::forget;
 use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
 use tokio::runtime::Runtime;
 use tokio::task::JoinHandle;
-use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
 /// FFI wrapper around `DashSpvClient`.
 type InnerClient = DashSpvClient<
@@ -26,7 +25,6 @@ pub struct FFIDashSpvClient {
     pub(crate) inner: InnerClient,
     pub(crate) runtime: Arc<Runtime>,
     run_task: Mutex<Option<JoinHandle<()>>>,
-    shutdown_token: CancellationToken,
 }
 
 impl FFIDashSpvClient {
@@ -113,7 +111,6 @@ pub unsafe extern "C" fn dash_spv_ffi_client_new(
                 inner: client,
                 runtime,
                 run_task: Mutex::new(None),
-                shutdown_token: CancellationToken::new(),
             };
             Box::into_raw(Box::new(ffi_client))
         }
@@ -130,9 +127,10 @@ const RUN_TASK_SHUTDOWN_TIMEOUT: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from
 impl FFIDashSpvClient {
     /// Wait for the run task to finish cooperatively, aborting only on timeout.
     ///
-    /// The caller must cancel `shutdown_token` before calling this so that
-    /// `DashSpvClient::run()` exits its loop and cleans up monitor tasks.
-    /// Only falls back to `abort()` if the task doesn't exit within the timeout.
+    /// `DashSpvClient::stop()` must have been called first (it cancels the
+    /// client's internal token, which makes `run()` exit its loop and clean
+    /// up monitor tasks). This only falls back to `abort()` if the task
+    /// doesn't exit within the timeout.
     fn wait_for_run_task(&self) {
         let task = self.run_task.lock().unwrap().take();
         if let Some(mut task) = task {
@@ -155,18 +153,6 @@ impl FFIDashSpvClient {
     }
 }
 
-fn stop_client_internal(client: &mut FFIDashSpvClient) -> Result<(), dash_spv::SpvError> {
-    client.shutdown_token.cancel();
-
-    client.wait_for_run_task();
-
-    let result = client.runtime.block_on(async { client.inner.stop().await });
-
-    client.shutdown_token = CancellationToken::new();
-
-    result
-}
-
 /// Update the running client's configuration.
 ///
 /// # Safety
@@ -203,8 +189,12 @@ pub unsafe extern "C" fn dash_spv_ffi_client_update_config(
 pub unsafe extern "C" fn dash_spv_ffi_client_stop(client: *mut FFIDashSpvClient) -> i32 {
     null_check!(client);
 
-    let client = &mut (*client);
-    match stop_client_internal(client) {
+    let client = &(*client);
+
+    let result = client.runtime.block_on(async { client.inner.stop().await });
+    client.wait_for_run_task();
+
+    match result {
         Ok(()) => FFIErrorCode::Success as i32,
         Err(e) => {
             set_last_error(&e.to_string());
@@ -231,13 +221,12 @@ pub unsafe extern "C" fn dash_spv_ffi_client_run(client: *mut FFIDashSpvClient)
 
     tracing::info!("dash_spv_ffi_client_run: starting sync");
 
-    let shutdown_token = client.shutdown_token.clone();
     let spv_client = client.inner.clone();
 
     let task = client.runtime.spawn(async move {
         tracing::debug!("Sync task: starting run");
 
-        if let Err(e) = spv_client.run(shutdown_token).await {
+        if let Err(e) = spv_client.run().await {
             tracing::error!("Sync task: error: {}", e);
         }
 
@@ -366,18 +355,13 @@ pub unsafe extern "C" fn dash_spv_ffi_client_destroy(client: *mut FFIDashSpvClie
     if !client.is_null() {
         let client = Box::from_raw(client);
 
-        // Cancel shutdown token so run() exits its loop and cleans up
-        client.shutdown_token.cancel();
-
-        // Wait for the run task to finish (cooperative, with timeout fallback)
-        client.wait_for_run_task();
-
-        // Stop the SPV client (run() calls stop() internally, but this
-        // handles the case where run() was never called or was aborted)
         client.runtime.block_on(async {
             let _ = client.inner.stop().await;
         });
 
+        // Wait for the run task to finish (cooperative, with timeout fallback)
+        client.wait_for_run_task();
+
         tracing::info!("FFI client destroyed and all tasks cleaned up");
     }
 }
diff --git a/dash-spv/examples/filter_sync.rs b/dash-spv/examples/filter_sync.rs
index e5940036e..203896ce6 100644
--- a/dash-spv/examples/filter_sync.rs
+++ b/dash-spv/examples/filter_sync.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ use key_wallet_manager::WalletManager;
 use std::str::FromStr;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use tokio::sync::RwLock;
-use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
 #[tokio::main]
 async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
@@ -42,9 +41,7 @@ async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     println!("Starting synchronization with filter support...");
     println!("Watching address: {:?}", watch_address);
 
-    let shutdown_token = CancellationToken::new();
-
-    client.run(shutdown_token).await?;
+    client.run().await?;
 
     println!("Done!");
     Ok(())
diff --git a/dash-spv/examples/simple_sync.rs b/dash-spv/examples/simple_sync.rs
index 63679108d..0568768fe 100644
--- a/dash-spv/examples/simple_sync.rs
+++ b/dash-spv/examples/simple_sync.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ use key_wallet::wallet::managed_wallet_info::ManagedWalletInfo;
 use key_wallet_manager::WalletManager;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use tokio::sync::RwLock;
-use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
 #[tokio::main]
 async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
@@ -36,9 +35,7 @@ async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
 
     println!("Starting header synchronization...");
 
-    let shutdown_token = CancellationToken::new();
-
-    client.run(shutdown_token).await?;
+    client.run().await?;
 
     println!("Done!");
     Ok(())
diff --git a/dash-spv/examples/spv_with_wallet.rs b/dash-spv/examples/spv_with_wallet.rs
index 1609bd8d7..2d2c661d8 100644
--- a/dash-spv/examples/spv_with_wallet.rs
+++ b/dash-spv/examples/spv_with_wallet.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ use key_wallet::wallet::managed_wallet_info::ManagedWalletInfo;
 use key_wallet_manager::WalletManager;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use tokio::sync::RwLock;
-use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
 #[tokio::main]
 async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
@@ -40,9 +39,7 @@ async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     // - Reorgs via handle_reorg()
     // - Compact filter checks via check_compact_filter()
 
-    let shutdown_token = CancellationToken::new();
-
-    client.run(shutdown_token).await?;
+    client.run().await?;
 
     println!("Done!");
     Ok(())
diff --git a/dash-spv/src/client/core.rs b/dash-spv/src/client/core.rs
index ff346b8d0..387edf9b0 100644
--- a/dash-spv/src/client/core.rs
+++ b/dash-spv/src/client/core.rs
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 use dashcore::sml::masternode_list_engine::MasternodeListEngine;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use tokio::sync::{Mutex, RwLock};
+use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
 use super::ClientConfig;
 use crate::error::{Result, SpvError};
@@ -113,6 +114,7 @@ pub struct DashSpvClient<W: WalletInterface, N: NetworkManager, S: StorageManage
     pub(super) sync_coordinator: Arc<Mutex<PersistentSyncCoordinator<W>>>,
     pub(super) running: Arc<RwLock<bool>>,
     pub(super) event_handlers: Arc<Vec<Arc<dyn super::EventHandler>>>,
+    pub(super) cancel_token: CancellationToken,
 }
 
 impl<W: WalletInterface, N: NetworkManager, S: StorageManager> Clone for DashSpvClient<W, N, S> {
@@ -126,6 +128,7 @@ impl<W: WalletInterface, N: NetworkManager, S: StorageManager> Clone for DashSpv
             sync_coordinator: Arc::clone(&self.sync_coordinator),
             running: Arc::clone(&self.running),
             event_handlers: Arc::clone(&self.event_handlers),
+            cancel_token: self.cancel_token.clone(),
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/dash-spv/src/client/lifecycle.rs b/dash-spv/src/client/lifecycle.rs
index 1e4125dc6..fef9c2818 100644
--- a/dash-spv/src/client/lifecycle.rs
+++ b/dash-spv/src/client/lifecycle.rs
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ use dashcore_hashes::Hash;
 use key_wallet_manager::WalletInterface;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use tokio::sync::{Mutex, RwLock};
+use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
 impl<W: WalletInterface, N: NetworkManager, S: StorageManager> DashSpvClient<W, N, S> {
     /// Create a new SPV client with the given configuration, network, storage, and wallet.
@@ -145,6 +146,7 @@ impl<W: WalletInterface, N: NetworkManager, S: StorageManager> DashSpvClient<W,
             sync_coordinator: Arc::new(Mutex::new(sync_coordinator)),
             running: Arc::new(RwLock::new(false)),
             event_handlers: Arc::new(event_handlers),
+            cancel_token: CancellationToken::new(),
         };
 
         // Load wallet data from storage
diff --git a/dash-spv/src/client/sync_coordinator.rs b/dash-spv/src/client/sync_coordinator.rs
index f26056c23..87058d172 100644
--- a/dash-spv/src/client/sync_coordinator.rs
+++ b/dash-spv/src/client/sync_coordinator.rs
@@ -24,12 +24,12 @@ impl<W: WalletInterface, N: NetworkManager, S: StorageManager> DashSpvClient<W,
         self.sync_coordinator.lock().await.progress().clone()
     }
 
-    /// Start the client and run the sync loop until the token is cancelled.
+    /// Start the client and run the sync loop until `stop()` is called.
     ///
     /// Subscribes to all event channels internally and dispatches events to the
     /// event handler provided at construction. Calls `start()` internally, runs
     /// continuous network monitoring, and calls `stop()` before returning.
-    pub async fn run(&self, token: CancellationToken) -> Result<()> {
+    pub async fn run(&self) -> Result<()> {
         let handlers = self.event_handlers.clone();
         let monitor_shutdown = CancellationToken::new();
         let (monitor_failure_tx, mut monitor_failure_rx) = mpsc::channel::<String>(1);
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ impl<W: WalletInterface, N: NetworkManager, S: StorageManager> DashSpvClient<W,
                 _ = sync_coordinator_tick_interval.tick() => {
                     self.sync_coordinator.lock().await.tick().await.err().map(Into::into)
                 }
-                _ = token.cancelled() => {
+                _ = self.cancel_token.cancelled() => {
                     tracing::debug!("DashSpvClient run loop cancelled");
                     break None
                 }
diff --git a/dash-spv/src/lib.rs b/dash-spv/src/lib.rs
index cabedf76a..3e26c0c97 100644
--- a/dash-spv/src/lib.rs
+++ b/dash-spv/src/lib.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 //! use key_wallet_manager::WalletManager;
 //! use std::sync::Arc;
 //! use tokio::sync::RwLock;
-//! use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 //!
 //! #[tokio::main]
 //! async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
@@ -41,9 +40,8 @@
 //!         wallet,
 //!         vec![Arc::new(())],
 //!     ).await?;
-//!     let shutdown_token = CancellationToken::new();
 //!
-//!     client.run(shutdown_token).await?;
+//!     client.run().await?;
 //!
 //!     Ok(())
 //! }
diff --git a/dash-spv/src/main.rs b/dash-spv/src/main.rs
index eb95bd580..677ff274f 100644
--- a/dash-spv/src/main.rs
+++ b/dash-spv/src/main.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ use clap::{Parser, ValueEnum};
 use dash_spv::{ClientConfig, DashSpvClient, LevelFilter, MempoolStrategy, Network};
 use key_wallet::wallet::managed_wallet_info::ManagedWalletInfo;
 use key_wallet_manager::WalletManager;
-use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
 /// Network selection for CLI
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, ValueEnum)]
@@ -315,22 +314,17 @@ async fn run_client<S: dash_spv::storage::StorageManager>(
             }
         };
 
-    let shutdown_token = CancellationToken::new();
-    let ctrl_c_token = shutdown_token.clone();
+    let stop_client = client.clone();
     tokio::spawn(async move {
-        tokio::select! {
-            result = tokio::signal::ctrl_c() => {
-                result.ok();
-                tracing::debug!("Shutdown signal received");
-            }
-            _ = ctrl_c_token.cancelled() => {
-                tracing::debug!("Shutdown token cancelled");
+        if tokio::signal::ctrl_c().await.is_ok() {
+            tracing::debug!("Shutdown signal received");
+            if let Err(e) = stop_client.stop().await {
+                tracing::warn!("Error during ctrl-c stop: {}", e);
             }
         }
-        ctrl_c_token.cancel();
     });
 
-    client.run(shutdown_token).await?;
+    client.run().await?;
 
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/dash-spv/tests/dashd_masternode/setup.rs b/dash-spv/tests/dashd_masternode/setup.rs
index 0ac2ca457..773dd5c07 100644
--- a/dash-spv/tests/dashd_masternode/setup.rs
+++ b/dash-spv/tests/dashd_masternode/setup.rs
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ use tempfile::TempDir;
 use tokio::sync::{broadcast, watch, RwLock};
 use tokio::task::JoinHandle;
 use tokio::time;
-use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
 /// Timeout for masternode sync tests (masternode sync takes longer than wallet sync).
 pub(super) const SYNC_TIMEOUT: u64 = 60;
@@ -38,14 +37,13 @@ pub(super) struct ClientHandle {
     pub(super) sync_event_receiver: broadcast::Receiver<SyncEvent>,
     pub(super) wallet_event_receiver: broadcast::Receiver<WalletEvent>,
     pub(super) _network_event_receiver: broadcast::Receiver<NetworkEvent>,
-    pub(super) cancel_token: CancellationToken,
     pub(super) engine: Arc<RwLock<MasternodeListEngine>>,
 }
 
 impl ClientHandle {
     pub(super) async fn stop(&mut self) {
-        tracing::info!("Cancelling client run loop...");
-        self.cancel_token.cancel();
+        tracing::info!("Stopping client run loop...");
+        self.client.stop().await.expect("client stop failed");
         if let Some(handle) = self.run_handle.take() {
             handle.await.expect("Run task panicked").expect("Run task returned error");
         }
@@ -185,11 +183,9 @@ pub(super) async fn create_and_start_client(
 
     let engine =
         client.masternode_list_engine().expect("Engine should be initialized after creation");
-    let cancel_token = CancellationToken::new();
-    let run_token = cancel_token.clone();
     let run_client = client.clone();
 
-    let run_handle = tokio::task::spawn(async move { run_client.run(run_token).await });
+    let run_handle = tokio::task::spawn(async move { run_client.run().await });
 
     ClientHandle {
         client,
@@ -198,7 +194,6 @@ pub(super) async fn create_and_start_client(
         sync_event_receiver,
         wallet_event_receiver,
         _network_event_receiver,
-        cancel_token,
         engine,
     }
 }
diff --git a/dash-spv/tests/dashd_sync/setup.rs b/dash-spv/tests/dashd_sync/setup.rs
index 16c229bb7..74af8302c 100644
--- a/dash-spv/tests/dashd_sync/setup.rs
+++ b/dash-spv/tests/dashd_sync/setup.rs
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use tempfile::TempDir;
 use tokio::sync::{broadcast, watch, RwLock};
-use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
 /// SPV-specific test context wrapping the shared dashd infrastructure.
 ///
@@ -231,7 +230,7 @@ pub(super) type TestClient =
     DashSpvClient<WalletManager<ManagedWalletInfo>, PeerNetworkManager, DiskStorageManager>;
 
 /// A `ClientHandle` is a utility structure that manages the state and handles for a `TestClient`
-/// required to interact with the synchronization process, various event channels, and cancellation capabilities.
+/// required to interact with the synchronization process and event channels.
 pub(super) struct ClientHandle {
     /// The underlying SPV client instance.
     pub(super) client: TestClient,
@@ -245,16 +244,13 @@ pub(super) struct ClientHandle {
     pub(super) network_event_receiver: broadcast::Receiver<NetworkEvent>,
     /// A channel for receiving wallet events.
     pub(super) wallet_event_receiver: broadcast::Receiver<WalletEvent>,
-    /// A cancellation token for the client's run loop.
-    pub(super) cancel_token: CancellationToken,
 }
 
 impl ClientHandle {
-    /// Stops the execution of the client run loop by canceling its associated token and awaiting the
-    /// termination of the background task.
+    /// Stops the SPV client and awaits the background run task.
     pub(super) async fn stop(&mut self) {
-        tracing::info!("Cancelling client run loop...");
-        self.cancel_token.cancel();
+        tracing::info!("Stopping client run loop...");
+        self.client.stop().await.expect("client stop failed");
         if let Some(handle) = self.run_handle.take() {
             handle.await.expect("Run task panicked").expect("Run task returned error");
         }
@@ -304,11 +300,9 @@ pub(super) async fn create_and_start_client(
         let w = client.wallet().read().await;
         w.subscribe_events()
     };
-    let cancel_token = CancellationToken::new();
-    let run_token = cancel_token.clone();
     let run_client = client.clone();
 
-    let run_handle = tokio::task::spawn(async move { run_client.run(run_token).await });
+    let run_handle = tokio::task::spawn(async move { run_client.run().await });
 
     ClientHandle {
         client,
@@ -317,7 +311,6 @@ pub(super) async fn create_and_start_client(
         sync_event_receiver,
         network_event_receiver,
         wallet_event_receiver,
-        cancel_token,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/dash-spv/tests/peer_test.rs b/dash-spv/tests/peer_test.rs
index 47602c846..7b42bcdb7 100644
--- a/dash-spv/tests/peer_test.rs
+++ b/dash-spv/tests/peer_test.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ use std::time::Duration;
 use tempfile::TempDir;
 use tokio::sync::RwLock;
 use tokio::time;
-use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
 use dash_spv::client::{ClientConfig, DashSpvClient};
 use dash_spv::network::PeerNetworkManager;
@@ -53,10 +52,8 @@ async fn test_peer_connection() {
     let client =
         DashSpvClient::new(config, network_manager, storage_manager, wallet, vec![]).await.unwrap();
 
-    let token = CancellationToken::new();
-    let cancel = token.clone();
     let run_client = client.clone();
-    let handle = tokio::spawn(async move { run_client.run(token).await });
+    let handle = tokio::spawn(async move { run_client.run().await });
 
     // Give it time to connect to peers
     time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(5)).await;
@@ -65,7 +62,7 @@ async fn test_peer_connection() {
     let peer_count = client.peer_count().await;
     assert!(peer_count > 0, "Should have connected to at least one peer");
 
-    cancel.cancel();
+    let _ = client.stop().await;
     let _ = handle.await;
 }
 
@@ -92,17 +89,15 @@ async fn test_peer_persistence() {
                 .await
                 .unwrap();
 
-        let token = CancellationToken::new();
-        let cancel = token.clone();
         let run_client = client.clone();
-        let handle = tokio::spawn(async move { run_client.run(token).await });
+        let handle = tokio::spawn(async move { run_client.run().await });
 
         time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(5)).await;
 
         let peer_count = client.peer_count().await;
         assert!(peer_count > 0, "Should have connected to peers");
 
-        cancel.cancel();
+        let _ = client.stop().await;
         let _ = handle.await;
     }
 
@@ -122,11 +117,9 @@ async fn test_peer_persistence() {
             .unwrap();
 
         // Should connect faster due to saved peers
-        let token = CancellationToken::new();
-        let cancel = token.clone();
         let run_client = client.clone();
         let start = tokio::time::Instant::now();
-        let handle = tokio::spawn(async move { run_client.run(token).await });
+        let handle = tokio::spawn(async move { run_client.run().await });
 
         // Wait for connection but with shorter timeout
         time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(3)).await;
@@ -137,7 +130,7 @@ async fn test_peer_persistence() {
         let elapsed = start.elapsed();
         println!("Connected to {} peers in {:?} (using saved peers)", peer_count, elapsed);
 
-        cancel.cancel();
+        let _ = client.stop().await;
         let _ = handle.await;
     }
 }
diff --git a/dash-spv/tests/wallet_integration_test.rs b/dash-spv/tests/wallet_integration_test.rs
index 7ba508b7e..bdefbbe3d 100644
--- a/dash-spv/tests/wallet_integration_test.rs
+++ b/dash-spv/tests/wallet_integration_test.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::time::Duration;
 use tempfile::TempDir;
 use tokio::sync::RwLock;
-use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
 use dash_spv::network::PeerNetworkManager;
 use dash_spv::storage::DiskStorageManager;
@@ -49,11 +48,8 @@ async fn test_spv_client_creation() {
 async fn test_spv_client_run_stop() {
     let client = create_test_client().await;
 
-    let token = CancellationToken::new();
-    let cancel = token.clone();
-
     let run_client = client.clone();
-    let handle = tokio::spawn(async move { run_client.run(token).await });
+    let handle = tokio::spawn(async move { run_client.run().await });
 
     tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(5), async {
         while !client.is_running().await {
@@ -63,7 +59,7 @@ async fn test_spv_client_run_stop() {
     .await
     .expect("client failed to start");
 
-    cancel.cancel();
+    client.stop().await.unwrap();
     handle.await.unwrap().unwrap();
 
     assert!(!client.is_running().await);