diff --git a/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/consensus/poa.py b/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/consensus/poa.py
index 6d9c4366..600e75b4 100755
--- a/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/consensus/poa.py
+++ b/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/consensus/poa.py
@@ -278,18 +278,16 @@ class PoAProposer:
                     # Use original tx_data from mempool to preserve type and payload
                     tx_data_for_transition = tx.content.copy()
                     tx_data_for_transition["nonce"] = sender_account.nonce
+                    # Map "amount" to "value" for state transition compatibility
+                    tx_data_for_transition["value"] = tx_data_for_transition.get("amount", 0)
                     success, error_msg = state_transition.apply_transaction(
                         session, self._config.chain_id, tx_data_for_transition, tx.tx_hash
                     )
                     
                     if not success:
-                        self._logger.error(f"[PROPOSE] Failed to apply transaction {tx.tx_hash}: {error_msg}")
+                        self._logger.warning(f"[PROPOSE] Failed to apply transaction {tx.tx_hash}: {error_msg}")
                         continue
 
-                    # Commit the balance changes immediately after successful state transition
-                    session.commit()
-                    self._logger.info(f"[PROPOSE] Committed balance changes for tx {tx.tx_hash}")
-
                     # Check if transaction already exists in database
                     existing_tx = session.exec(
                         select(Transaction).where(
diff --git a/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/rpc/router.py b/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/rpc/router.py
index 2d710400..5be7f98a 100755
--- a/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/rpc/router.py
+++ b/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/rpc/router.py
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ def _normalize_transaction_data(tx_data: Dict[str, Any], chain_id: str) -> Dict[
         "from": sender.strip(),
         "to": recipient.strip(),
         "amount": amount,
+        "value": amount,  # Add value field for state transition compatibility
         "fee": fee,
         "nonce": nonce,
         "payload": payload,
diff --git a/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/state/state_transition.py b/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/state/state_transition.py
index 64088881..bd577d8b 100644
--- a/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/state/state_transition.py
+++ b/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/state/state_transition.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import Dict, List, Optional, Tuple
 
 from sqlmodel import Session, select
+from sqlalchemy import select, text
 from datetime import datetime
 
 from ..models import Account, Transaction, Receipt
@@ -165,6 +166,7 @@ class StateTransition:
         Returns:
             Tuple of (success, error_message)
         """
+        logger.info(f"apply_transaction called for tx {tx_hash}, tx_data keys: {list(tx_data.keys())}")
         # Validate first
         is_valid, error_msg = self.validate_transaction(session, chain_id, tx_data, tx_hash)
         if not is_valid:
@@ -198,7 +200,7 @@ class StateTransition:
             else:
                 tx_type = "TRANSFER"
         
-        # Apply balance changes
+        # Apply balance changes using explicit SQL UPDATE
         value = tx_data.get("value", 0)
         fee = tx_data.get("fee", 0)
         
@@ -209,12 +211,20 @@ class StateTransition:
             total_cost = value + fee
             recipient_account = session.get(Account, (chain_id, recipient_addr))
         
-        sender_account.balance -= total_cost
-        sender_account.nonce += 1
+        # Use explicit SQL UPDATE to ensure persistence
+        logger.info(f"Updating sender balance: {sender_addr} -= {total_cost}")
+        session.execute(
+            text("UPDATE account SET balance = balance - :total_cost, nonce = nonce + 1 WHERE chain_id = :chain_id AND address = :sender_addr"),
+            {"total_cost": total_cost, "chain_id": chain_id, "sender_addr": sender_addr}
+        )
         
         # For MESSAGE transactions, skip recipient balance change
         if tx_type != "MESSAGE":
-            recipient_account.balance += value
+            logger.info(f"Updating recipient balance: {recipient_addr} += {value}")
+            session.execute(
+                text("UPDATE account SET balance = balance + :value WHERE chain_id = :chain_id AND address = :recipient_addr"),
+                {"value": value, "chain_id": chain_id, "recipient_addr": recipient_addr}
+            )
         
         # For RECEIPT_CLAIM transactions, mint reward and update receipt status
         if tx_type == "RECEIPT_CLAIM":