diff --git a/contrib/epee/include/net/abstract_tcp_server2.h b/contrib/epee/include/net/abstract_tcp_server2.h
index ec08c0f4b..d0eabbba5 100644
--- a/contrib/epee/include/net/abstract_tcp_server2.h
+++ b/contrib/epee/include/net/abstract_tcp_server2.h
@@ -90,10 +90,10 @@ namespace net_utils
   public:
     typedef typename t_protocol_handler::connection_context t_connection_context;
 
-    struct shared_state : socket_stats
+    struct shared_state : connection_basic_shared_state
     {
       shared_state()
-        : socket_stats(), pfilter(nullptr), config()
+        : connection_basic_shared_state(), pfilter(nullptr), config()
       {}
 
       i_connection_filter* pfilter;
@@ -104,14 +104,12 @@ namespace net_utils
     explicit connection( boost::asio::io_service& io_service,
                         boost::shared_ptr<shared_state> state,
 			t_connection_type connection_type,
-			epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support,
-			ssl_context_t &ssl_context);
+			epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support);
 
     explicit connection( boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket&& sock,
 			 boost::shared_ptr<shared_state> state,
 			t_connection_type connection_type,
-			epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support,
-			ssl_context_t &ssl_context);
+			epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support);
 
 
 
@@ -228,8 +226,8 @@ namespace net_utils
     std::map<std::string, t_connection_type> server_type_map;
     void create_server_type_map();
 
-    bool init_server(uint32_t port, const std::string address = "0.0.0.0", epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect, const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path = std::make_pair(std::string(), std::string()), const std::list<std::string> &allowed_certificates = {}, const std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> &allowed_fingerprints = {}, bool allow_any_cert = false);
-    bool init_server(const std::string port,  const std::string& address = "0.0.0.0", epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect, const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path = std::make_pair(std::string(), std::string()), const std::list<std::string> &allowed_certificates = {}, const std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> &allowed_fingerprints = {}, bool allow_any_cert = false);
+    bool init_server(uint32_t port, const std::string address = "0.0.0.0", ssl_options_t ssl_options = ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect);
+    bool init_server(const std::string port,  const std::string& address = "0.0.0.0", ssl_options_t ssl_options = ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect);
 
     /// Run the server's io_service loop.
     bool run_server(size_t threads_count, bool wait = true, const boost::thread::attributes& attrs = boost::thread::attributes());
@@ -380,10 +378,6 @@ namespace net_utils
 
     boost::mutex connections_mutex;
     std::set<connection_ptr> connections_;
-
-    ssl_context_t m_ssl_context;
-    std::list<std::string> m_allowed_certificates;
-
   }; // class <>boosted_tcp_server
 
 
diff --git a/contrib/epee/include/net/abstract_tcp_server2.inl b/contrib/epee/include/net/abstract_tcp_server2.inl
index 67c63cca5..58f899a73 100644
--- a/contrib/epee/include/net/abstract_tcp_server2.inl
+++ b/contrib/epee/include/net/abstract_tcp_server2.inl
@@ -80,10 +80,9 @@ PRAGMA_WARNING_DISABLE_VS(4355)
   connection<t_protocol_handler>::connection( boost::asio::io_service& io_service,
                 boost::shared_ptr<shared_state> state,
 		t_connection_type connection_type,
-		epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support,
-		ssl_context_t &ssl_context
+		ssl_support_t ssl_support
 	)
-	: connection(boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket{io_service}, std::move(state), connection_type, ssl_support, ssl_context)
+	: connection(boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket{io_service}, std::move(state), connection_type, ssl_support)
   {
   }
 
@@ -91,11 +90,10 @@ PRAGMA_WARNING_DISABLE_VS(4355)
   connection<t_protocol_handler>::connection( boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket&& sock,
                 boost::shared_ptr<shared_state> state,
 		t_connection_type connection_type,
-		epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support,
-		ssl_context_t &ssl_context
+		ssl_support_t ssl_support
 	)
 	: 
-		connection_basic(std::move(sock), state, ssl_support, ssl_context),
+		connection_basic(std::move(sock), state, ssl_support),
 		m_protocol_handler(this, check_and_get(state).config, context),
 		m_connection_type( connection_type ),
 		m_throttle_speed_in("speed_in", "throttle_speed_in"),
@@ -176,9 +174,9 @@ PRAGMA_WARNING_DISABLE_VS(4355)
 
     _dbg3("[sock " << socket_.native_handle() << "] new connection from " << print_connection_context_short(context) <<
       " to " << local_ep.address().to_string() << ':' << local_ep.port() <<
-      ", total sockets objects " << get_stats().sock_count);
+      ", total sockets objects " << get_state().sock_count);
 
-    if(static_cast<shared_state&>(get_stats()).pfilter && !static_cast<shared_state&>(get_stats()).pfilter->is_remote_host_allowed(context.m_remote_address))
+    if(static_cast<shared_state&>(get_state()).pfilter && !static_cast<shared_state&>(get_state()).pfilter->is_remote_host_allowed(context.m_remote_address))
     {
       _dbg2("[sock " << socket().native_handle() << "] host denied " << context.m_remote_address.host_str() << ", shutdowning connection");
       close();
@@ -901,8 +899,7 @@ PRAGMA_WARNING_DISABLE_VS(4355)
     m_threads_count(0),
     m_thread_index(0),
 		m_connection_type( connection_type ),
-    new_connection_(),
-    m_ssl_context({boost::asio::ssl::context(boost::asio::ssl::context::tlsv12), {}})
+    new_connection_()
   {
     create_server_type_map();
     m_thread_name_prefix = "NET";
@@ -918,8 +915,7 @@ PRAGMA_WARNING_DISABLE_VS(4355)
     m_threads_count(0),
     m_thread_index(0),
 		m_connection_type(connection_type),
-    new_connection_(),
-    m_ssl_context({boost::asio::ssl::context(boost::asio::ssl::context::sslv23), {}})
+    new_connection_()
   {
     create_server_type_map();
     m_thread_name_prefix = "NET";
@@ -941,14 +937,14 @@ PRAGMA_WARNING_DISABLE_VS(4355)
   }
   //---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   template<class t_protocol_handler>
-  bool boosted_tcp_server<t_protocol_handler>::init_server(uint32_t port, const std::string address, epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support, const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path, const std::list<std::string> &allowed_certificates, const std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> &allowed_fingerprints, bool allow_any_cert)
+  bool boosted_tcp_server<t_protocol_handler>::init_server(uint32_t port, const std::string address, ssl_options_t ssl_options)
   {
     TRY_ENTRY();
     m_stop_signal_sent = false;
     m_port = port;
     m_address = address;
-    if (ssl_support != epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_disabled)
-      m_ssl_context = create_ssl_context(private_key_and_certificate_path, allowed_certificates, allowed_fingerprints, allow_any_cert);
+    if (ssl_options)
+      m_state->configure_ssl(std::move(ssl_options));
     // Open the acceptor with the option to reuse the address (i.e. SO_REUSEADDR).
     boost::asio::ip::tcp::resolver resolver(io_service_);
     boost::asio::ip::tcp::resolver::query query(address, boost::lexical_cast<std::string>(port), boost::asio::ip::tcp::resolver::query::canonical_name);
@@ -960,7 +956,7 @@ PRAGMA_WARNING_DISABLE_VS(4355)
     boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint binded_endpoint = acceptor_.local_endpoint();
     m_port = binded_endpoint.port();
     MDEBUG("start accept");
-    new_connection_.reset(new connection<t_protocol_handler>(io_service_, m_state, m_connection_type, ssl_support, m_ssl_context));
+    new_connection_.reset(new connection<t_protocol_handler>(io_service_, m_state, m_connection_type, m_state->ssl_options().support));
     acceptor_.async_accept(new_connection_->socket(),
       boost::bind(&boosted_tcp_server<t_protocol_handler>::handle_accept, this,
       boost::asio::placeholders::error));
@@ -982,7 +978,7 @@ PRAGMA_WARNING_DISABLE_VS(4355)
 PUSH_WARNINGS
 DISABLE_GCC_WARNING(maybe-uninitialized)
   template<class t_protocol_handler>
-  bool boosted_tcp_server<t_protocol_handler>::init_server(const std::string port, const std::string& address, epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support, const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path, const std::list<std::string> &allowed_certificates, const std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> &allowed_fingerprints, bool allow_any_cert)
+  bool boosted_tcp_server<t_protocol_handler>::init_server(const std::string port, const std::string& address, ssl_options_t ssl_options)
   {
     uint32_t p = 0;
 
@@ -990,7 +986,7 @@ DISABLE_GCC_WARNING(maybe-uninitialized)
       MERROR("Failed to convert port no = " << port);
       return false;
     }
-    return this->init_server(p, address, ssl_support, private_key_and_certificate_path, allowed_certificates, allowed_fingerprints, allow_any_cert);
+    return this->init_server(p, address, std::move(ssl_options));
   }
 POP_WARNINGS
   //---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1165,7 +1161,7 @@ POP_WARNINGS
 			new_connection_->setRpcStation(); // hopefully this is not needed actually
 		}
 		connection_ptr conn(std::move(new_connection_));
-      new_connection_.reset(new connection<t_protocol_handler>(io_service_, m_state, m_connection_type, conn->get_ssl_support(), m_ssl_context));
+      new_connection_.reset(new connection<t_protocol_handler>(io_service_, m_state, m_connection_type, conn->get_ssl_support()));
       acceptor_.async_accept(new_connection_->socket(),
         boost::bind(&boosted_tcp_server<t_protocol_handler>::handle_accept, this,
         boost::asio::placeholders::error));
@@ -1200,7 +1196,7 @@ POP_WARNINGS
     assert(m_state != nullptr); // always set in constructor
     _erro("Some problems at accept: " << e.message() << ", connections_count = " << m_state->sock_count);
     misc_utils::sleep_no_w(100);
-    new_connection_.reset(new connection<t_protocol_handler>(io_service_, m_state, m_connection_type, new_connection_->get_ssl_support(), m_ssl_context));
+    new_connection_.reset(new connection<t_protocol_handler>(io_service_, m_state, m_connection_type, new_connection_->get_ssl_support()));
     acceptor_.async_accept(new_connection_->socket(),
       boost::bind(&boosted_tcp_server<t_protocol_handler>::handle_accept, this,
       boost::asio::placeholders::error));
@@ -1211,7 +1207,7 @@ POP_WARNINGS
   {
     if(std::addressof(get_io_service()) == std::addressof(GET_IO_SERVICE(sock)))
     {
-      connection_ptr conn(new connection<t_protocol_handler>(std::move(sock), m_state, m_connection_type, ssl_support, m_ssl_context));
+      connection_ptr conn(new connection<t_protocol_handler>(std::move(sock), m_state, m_connection_type, ssl_support));
       if(conn->start(false, 1 < m_threads_count, std::move(real_remote)))
       {
         conn->get_context(out);
@@ -1298,7 +1294,7 @@ POP_WARNINGS
 
     _dbg3("Connected success to " << adr << ':' << port);
 
-    const epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support = new_connection_l->get_ssl_support();
+    const ssl_support_t ssl_support = new_connection_l->get_ssl_support();
     if (ssl_support == epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled || ssl_support == epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect)
     {
       // Handshake
@@ -1329,7 +1325,7 @@ POP_WARNINGS
   {
     TRY_ENTRY();
 
-    connection_ptr new_connection_l(new connection<t_protocol_handler>(io_service_, m_state, m_connection_type, ssl_support, m_ssl_context) );
+    connection_ptr new_connection_l(new connection<t_protocol_handler>(io_service_, m_state, m_connection_type, ssl_support) );
     connections_mutex.lock();
     connections_.insert(new_connection_l);
     MDEBUG("connections_ size now " << connections_.size());
@@ -1393,7 +1389,7 @@ POP_WARNINGS
   bool boosted_tcp_server<t_protocol_handler>::connect_async(const std::string& adr, const std::string& port, uint32_t conn_timeout, const t_callback &cb, const std::string& bind_ip, epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support)
   {
     TRY_ENTRY();    
-    connection_ptr new_connection_l(new connection<t_protocol_handler>(io_service_, m_state, m_connection_type, ssl_support, m_ssl_context) );
+    connection_ptr new_connection_l(new connection<t_protocol_handler>(io_service_, m_state, m_connection_type, ssl_support) );
     connections_mutex.lock();
     connections_.insert(new_connection_l);
     MDEBUG("connections_ size now " << connections_.size());
diff --git a/contrib/epee/include/net/connection_basic.hpp b/contrib/epee/include/net/connection_basic.hpp
index feedc6895..d3f5f4f24 100644
--- a/contrib/epee/include/net/connection_basic.hpp
+++ b/contrib/epee/include/net/connection_basic.hpp
@@ -57,15 +57,30 @@ namespace epee
 {
 namespace net_utils
 {
-  struct socket_stats
-  {
-    socket_stats()
-      : sock_count(0), sock_number(0)
-    {}
 
-    std::atomic<long> sock_count;
-    std::atomic<long> sock_number;
-  };
+	class connection_basic_shared_state
+	{
+		ssl_options_t ssl_options_;
+	public:
+		boost::asio::ssl::context ssl_context;
+		std::atomic<long> sock_count;
+		std::atomic<long> sock_number;
+
+		connection_basic_shared_state()
+		  : ssl_options_(ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_disabled),
+		    ssl_context(boost::asio::ssl::context::tlsv12),
+		    sock_count(0),
+		    sock_number(0)
+		{}
+
+		void configure_ssl(ssl_options_t src)
+		{
+			ssl_options_ = std::move(src);
+			ssl_context = ssl_options_.create_context();
+		}
+
+		const ssl_options_t& ssl_options() const noexcept { return ssl_options_; }
+	};
 
   /************************************************************************/
   /*                                                                      */
@@ -83,9 +98,10 @@ class connection_basic_pimpl; // PIMPL for this class
   std::string to_string(t_connection_type type);
 
 class connection_basic { // not-templated base class for rapid developmet of some code parts
-    // beware of removing const, net_utils::connection is sketchily doing a cast to prevent storing ptr twice
-    const boost::shared_ptr<socket_stats> m_stats;
+		// beware of removing const, net_utils::connection is sketchily doing a cast to prevent storing ptr twice
+		const boost::shared_ptr<connection_basic_shared_state> m_state;
 	public:
+
 		std::unique_ptr< connection_basic_pimpl > mI; // my Implementation
 
 		// moved here from orginal connecton<> - common member variables that do not depend on template in connection<>
@@ -97,20 +113,19 @@ class connection_basic { // not-templated base class for rapid developmet of som
     /// Strand to ensure the connection's handlers are not called concurrently.
     boost::asio::io_service::strand strand_;
     /// Socket for the connection.
-    ssl_context_t &m_ssl_context;
-    ssl_support_t m_ssl_support;
     boost::asio::ssl::stream<boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket> socket_;
+    ssl_support_t m_ssl_support;
 
 	public:
 		// first counter is the ++/-- count of current sockets, the other socket_number is only-increasing ++ number generator
-		connection_basic(boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket&& socket, boost::shared_ptr<socket_stats> stats, ssl_support_t ssl_support, ssl_context_t &ssl_context);
-		connection_basic(boost::asio::io_service &io_service, boost::shared_ptr<socket_stats> stats, ssl_support_t ssl_support, ssl_context_t &ssl_context);
+		connection_basic(boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket&& socket, boost::shared_ptr<connection_basic_shared_state> state, ssl_support_t ssl_support);
+		connection_basic(boost::asio::io_service &io_service, boost::shared_ptr<connection_basic_shared_state> state, ssl_support_t ssl_support);
 
 		virtual ~connection_basic() noexcept(false);
 
-                //! \return `socket_stats` object passed in construction (ptr never changes).
-		socket_stats& get_stats() noexcept { return *m_stats; /* verified in constructor */ }
-		connection_basic(boost::asio::io_service& io_service, std::atomic<long> &ref_sock_count, std::atomic<long> &sock_number, ssl_support_t ssl, ssl_context_t &ssl_context);
+                //! \return `shared_state` object passed in construction (ptr never changes).
+		connection_basic_shared_state& get_state() noexcept { return *m_state; /* verified in constructor */ }
+		connection_basic(boost::asio::io_service& io_service, std::atomic<long> &ref_sock_count, std::atomic<long> &sock_number, ssl_support_t ssl);
 
 		boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket& socket() { return socket_.next_layer(); }
 		ssl_support_t get_ssl_support() const { return m_ssl_support; }
@@ -118,7 +133,8 @@ class connection_basic { // not-templated base class for rapid developmet of som
 
 		bool handshake(boost::asio::ssl::stream_base::handshake_type type)
 		{
-			return ssl_handshake(socket_, type, m_ssl_context);
+			//m_state != nullptr verified in constructor
+			return m_state->ssl_options().handshake(socket_, type);
 		}
 
 		template<typename MutableBufferSequence, typename ReadHandler>
diff --git a/contrib/epee/include/net/http_client.h b/contrib/epee/include/net/http_client.h
index 1864c77ad..a18a1d30a 100644
--- a/contrib/epee/include/net/http_client.h
+++ b/contrib/epee/include/net/http_client.h
@@ -275,11 +275,6 @@ namespace net_utils
 			chunked_state m_chunked_state;
 			std::string m_chunked_cache;
 			critical_section m_lock;
-			epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t m_ssl_support;
-			std::pair<std::string, std::string> m_ssl_private_key_and_certificate_path;
-			std::list<std::string> m_ssl_allowed_certificates;
-			std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> m_ssl_allowed_fingerprints;
-			bool m_ssl_allow_any_cert;
 
 		public:
 			explicit http_simple_client_template()
@@ -297,34 +292,28 @@ namespace net_utils
 				, m_chunked_state()
 				, m_chunked_cache()
 				, m_lock()
-				, m_ssl_support(epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect)
 			{}
 
 			const std::string &get_host() const { return m_host_buff; };
 			const std::string &get_port() const { return m_port; };
 
-			bool set_server(const std::string& address, boost::optional<login> user, epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect, const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path = {}, const std::list<std::string> &allowed_ssl_certificates = {}, const std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> &allowed_ssl_fingerprints = {}, bool allow_any_cert = false)
+			bool set_server(const std::string& address, boost::optional<login> user, ssl_options_t ssl_options = ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect)
 			{
 				http::url_content parsed{};
 				const bool r = parse_url(address, parsed);
 				CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(r, false, "failed to parse url: " << address);
-				set_server(std::move(parsed.host), std::to_string(parsed.port), std::move(user), ssl_support, private_key_and_certificate_path, allowed_ssl_certificates, allowed_ssl_fingerprints, allow_any_cert);
+				set_server(std::move(parsed.host), std::to_string(parsed.port), std::move(user), std::move(ssl_options));
 				return true;
 			}
 
-			void set_server(std::string host, std::string port, boost::optional<login> user, epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect, const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path = {}, const std::list<std::string> &allowed_ssl_certificates = {}, const std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> &allowed_ssl_fingerprints = {}, bool allow_any_cert = false)
+			void set_server(std::string host, std::string port, boost::optional<login> user, ssl_options_t ssl_options = ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect)
 			{
 				CRITICAL_REGION_LOCAL(m_lock);
 				disconnect();
 				m_host_buff = std::move(host);
 				m_port = std::move(port);
                                 m_auth = user ? http_client_auth{std::move(*user)} : http_client_auth{};
-				m_ssl_support = ssl_support;
-				m_ssl_private_key_and_certificate_path = private_key_and_certificate_path;
-				m_ssl_allowed_certificates = allowed_ssl_certificates;
-				m_ssl_allowed_fingerprints = allowed_ssl_fingerprints;
-				m_ssl_allow_any_cert = allow_any_cert;
-				m_net_client.set_ssl(m_ssl_support, m_ssl_private_key_and_certificate_path, m_ssl_allowed_certificates, m_ssl_allowed_fingerprints, m_ssl_allow_any_cert);
+				m_net_client.set_ssl(std::move(ssl_options));
 			}
 
 			template<typename F>
diff --git a/contrib/epee/include/net/http_server_impl_base.h b/contrib/epee/include/net/http_server_impl_base.h
index 0922f21f2..fc2dcbf67 100644
--- a/contrib/epee/include/net/http_server_impl_base.h
+++ b/contrib/epee/include/net/http_server_impl_base.h
@@ -59,11 +59,7 @@ namespace epee
     bool init(std::function<void(size_t, uint8_t*)> rng, const std::string& bind_port = "0", const std::string& bind_ip = "0.0.0.0",
       std::vector<std::string> access_control_origins = std::vector<std::string>(),
       boost::optional<net_utils::http::login> user = boost::none,
-      epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect,
-      const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path = {},
-      std::list<std::string> allowed_certificates = {},
-      std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> allowed_fingerprints = {},
-      bool allow_any_cert = false)
+      net_utils::ssl_options_t ssl_options = net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect)
     {
 
       //set self as callback handler
@@ -80,7 +76,7 @@ namespace epee
       m_net_server.get_config_object().m_user = std::move(user);
 
       MGINFO("Binding on " << bind_ip << ":" << bind_port);
-      bool res = m_net_server.init_server(bind_port, bind_ip, ssl_support, private_key_and_certificate_path, std::move(allowed_certificates), std::move(allowed_fingerprints), allow_any_cert);
+      bool res = m_net_server.init_server(bind_port, bind_ip, std::move(ssl_options));
       if(!res)
       {
         LOG_ERROR("Failed to bind server");
diff --git a/contrib/epee/include/net/net_helper.h b/contrib/epee/include/net/net_helper.h
index aa3df7160..66a307c97 100644
--- a/contrib/epee/include/net/net_helper.h
+++ b/contrib/epee/include/net/net_helper.h
@@ -101,10 +101,10 @@ namespace net_utils
 		inline
 			blocked_mode_client() :
 				m_io_service(),
-				m_ctx({boost::asio::ssl::context(boost::asio::ssl::context::tlsv12), {}}),
+				m_ctx(boost::asio::ssl::context::tlsv12),
 				m_connector(direct_connect{}),
-				m_ssl_socket(new boost::asio::ssl::stream<boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket>(m_io_service, m_ctx.context)),
-				m_ssl_support(epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect),
+				m_ssl_socket(new boost::asio::ssl::stream<boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket>(m_io_service, m_ctx)),
+				m_ssl_options(epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect),
 				m_initialized(true),
 				m_connected(false),
 				m_deadline(m_io_service),
@@ -136,13 +136,13 @@ namespace net_utils
 			catch(...) { /* ignore */ }
 		}
 
-		inline void set_ssl(epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect, const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path = {}, std::list<std::string> allowed_certificates = {}, std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> allowed_fingerprints = {}, bool allow_any_cert = false)
+		inline void set_ssl(ssl_options_t ssl_options)
 		{
-			if (ssl_support == epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_disabled)
-				m_ctx = {boost::asio::ssl::context(boost::asio::ssl::context::tlsv12), {}, {}};
+			if (ssl_options)
+				m_ctx = ssl_options.create_context();
 			else
-				m_ctx = create_ssl_context(private_key_and_certificate_path, std::move(allowed_certificates), std::move(allowed_fingerprints), allow_any_cert);
-			m_ssl_support = ssl_support;
+				m_ctx = boost::asio::ssl::context(boost::asio::ssl::context::tlsv12);
+			m_ssl_options = std::move(ssl_options);
 		}
 
     inline
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ namespace net_utils
 					// SSL Options
 					if (ssl_support == epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled || ssl_support == epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect)
 					{
-						if (!ssl_handshake(*m_ssl_socket, boost::asio::ssl::stream_base::client, m_ctx))
+						if (!m_ssl_options.handshake(*m_ssl_socket, boost::asio::ssl::stream_base::client, addr))
 						{
 							if (ssl_support == epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect)
 							{
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ namespace net_utils
 								return CONNECT_FAILURE;
 							}
 						}
-						m_ssl_support = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled;
+						m_ssl_options.support = ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled;
 					}
 					return CONNECT_SUCCESS;
 				}else
@@ -212,23 +212,21 @@ namespace net_utils
 
 				// Set SSL options
 				// disable sslv2
-				m_ctx.context.set_options(boost::asio::ssl::context::default_workarounds | boost::asio::ssl::context::no_sslv2);
-				m_ctx.context.set_default_verify_paths();
-				m_ssl_socket.reset(new boost::asio::ssl::stream<boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket>(m_io_service, m_ctx.context));
+				m_ssl_socket.reset(new boost::asio::ssl::stream<boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket>(m_io_service, m_ctx));
 
 				// Get a list of endpoints corresponding to the server name.
 
-				try_connect_result_t try_connect_result = try_connect(addr, port, timeout, m_ssl_support);
+				try_connect_result_t try_connect_result = try_connect(addr, port, timeout, m_ssl_options.support);
 				if (try_connect_result == CONNECT_FAILURE)
 					return false;
-				if (m_ssl_support == epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect)
+				if (m_ssl_options.support == epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect)
 				{
-					m_ssl_support = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled;
+					m_ssl_options.support = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled;
 					if (try_connect_result == CONNECT_NO_SSL)
 					{
 						MERROR("SSL handshake failed on an autodetect connection, reconnecting without SSL");
-						m_ssl_support = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_disabled;
-						if (try_connect(addr, port, timeout, m_ssl_support) != CONNECT_SUCCESS)
+						m_ssl_options.support = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_disabled;
+						if (try_connect(addr, port, timeout, m_ssl_options.support) != CONNECT_SUCCESS)
 							return false;
 					}
 				}
@@ -260,7 +258,7 @@ namespace net_utils
 				if(m_connected)
 				{
 					m_connected = false;
-					if(m_ssl_support != epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_disabled)
+					if(m_ssl_options)
 						shutdown_ssl();
 					m_ssl_socket->next_layer().shutdown(boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket::shutdown_both);
 				}
@@ -394,7 +392,7 @@ namespace net_utils
 			if (!m_connected || !m_ssl_socket->next_layer().is_open())
 				return false;
 			if (ssl)
-				*ssl = m_ssl_support == epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled;
+				*ssl = m_ssl_options.support == ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled;
 			return true;
 		}
 
@@ -558,7 +556,7 @@ namespace net_utils
 		{
 			m_deadline.cancel();
 			boost::system::error_code ec;
-			if(m_ssl_support != epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_disabled)
+			if(m_ssl_options.support != ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_disabled)
 				shutdown_ssl();
 			m_ssl_socket->next_layer().cancel(ec);
 			if(ec)
@@ -635,7 +633,7 @@ namespace net_utils
 		bool write(const void* data, size_t sz, boost::system::error_code& ec)
 		{
 			bool success;
-			if(m_ssl_support == epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled)
+			if(m_ssl_options.support == ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled)
 				success = boost::asio::write(*m_ssl_socket, boost::asio::buffer(data, sz), ec);
 			else
 				success = boost::asio::write(m_ssl_socket->next_layer(), boost::asio::buffer(data, sz), ec);
@@ -644,7 +642,7 @@ namespace net_utils
 		
 		void async_write(const void* data, size_t sz, boost::system::error_code& ec) 
 		{
-			if(m_ssl_support == epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled)
+			if(m_ssl_options.support == ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled)
 				boost::asio::async_write(*m_ssl_socket, boost::asio::buffer(data, sz), boost::lambda::var(ec) = boost::lambda::_1);
 			else
 				boost::asio::async_write(m_ssl_socket->next_layer(), boost::asio::buffer(data, sz), boost::lambda::var(ec) = boost::lambda::_1);
@@ -652,7 +650,7 @@ namespace net_utils
 		
 		void async_read(char* buff, size_t sz, boost::asio::detail::transfer_at_least_t transfer_at_least, handler_obj& hndlr)
 		{
-			if(m_ssl_support != epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled)
+			if(m_ssl_options.support != ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled)
 				boost::asio::async_read(m_ssl_socket->next_layer(), boost::asio::buffer(buff, sz), transfer_at_least, hndlr);
 			else
 				boost::asio::async_read(*m_ssl_socket, boost::asio::buffer(buff, sz), transfer_at_least, hndlr);
@@ -661,10 +659,10 @@ namespace net_utils
 		
 	protected:
 		boost::asio::io_service m_io_service;
-		epee::net_utils::ssl_context_t m_ctx;
+		boost::asio::ssl::context m_ctx;
 		std::shared_ptr<boost::asio::ssl::stream<boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket>> m_ssl_socket;
 		std::function<connect_func> m_connector;
-		epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t m_ssl_support;
+		ssl_options_t m_ssl_options;
 		bool m_initialized;
 		bool m_connected;
 		boost::asio::steady_timer m_deadline;
diff --git a/contrib/epee/include/net/net_ssl.h b/contrib/epee/include/net/net_ssl.h
index f7b102164..957903ff8 100644
--- a/contrib/epee/include/net/net_ssl.h
+++ b/contrib/epee/include/net/net_ssl.h
@@ -31,10 +31,11 @@
 
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <string>
-#include <list>
+#include <vector>
 #include <boost/utility/string_ref.hpp>
 #include <boost/asio/ip/tcp.hpp>
 #include <boost/asio/ssl.hpp>
+#include <boost/system/error_code.hpp>
 
 namespace epee
 {
@@ -45,23 +46,93 @@ namespace net_utils
 		e_ssl_support_enabled,
 		e_ssl_support_autodetect,
 	};
-  
-	struct ssl_context_t
-	{
-		boost::asio::ssl::context context;
-		std::list<std::string> allowed_certificates;
-		std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> allowed_fingerprints;
-		bool allow_any_cert;
-	};
+
+  enum class ssl_verification_t : uint8_t
+  {
+    none = 0,         //!< Do not verify peer.
+    system_ca,        //!< Verify peer via system ca only (do not inspect user certificates)
+    user_certificates,//!< Verify peer via specific (non-chain) certificate(s) only.
+    user_ca           //!< Verify peer via specific (possibly chain) certificate(s) only.
+  };
+
+  struct ssl_authentication_t
+  {
+    std::string private_key_path; //!< Private key used for authentication
+    std::string certificate_path; //!< Certificate used for authentication to peer.
+
+    //! Load `private_key_path` and `certificate_path` into `ssl_context`.
+    void use_ssl_certificate(boost::asio::ssl::context &ssl_context) const;
+  };
+
+  /*!
+    \note `verification != disabled && support == disabled` is currently
+      "allowed" via public interface but obviously invalid configuation.
+   */
+  class ssl_options_t
+  {
+    // force sorted behavior in private
+    std::vector<std::vector<std::uint8_t>> fingerprints_;
+
+  public:
+    std::string ca_path;
+    ssl_authentication_t auth;
+    ssl_support_t support;
+    ssl_verification_t verification;
+
+    //! Verification is set to system ca unless SSL is disabled.
+    ssl_options_t(ssl_support_t support)
+      : fingerprints_(),
+        ca_path(),
+        auth(),
+        support(support),
+        verification(support == ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_disabled ? ssl_verification_t::none : ssl_verification_t::system_ca)
+    {}
+
+    //! Provide user fingerprints and/or ca path. Enables SSL and user_certificate verification
+    ssl_options_t(std::vector<std::vector<std::uint8_t>> fingerprints, std::string ca_path);
+
+    ssl_options_t(const ssl_options_t&) = default;
+    ssl_options_t(ssl_options_t&&) = default;
+
+    ssl_options_t& operator=(const ssl_options_t&) = default;
+    ssl_options_t& operator=(ssl_options_t&&) = default;
+
+    //! \return False iff ssl is disabled, otherwise true.
+    explicit operator bool() const noexcept { return support != ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_disabled; }
+
+    //! \retrurn True if `host` can be verified using `this` configuration WITHOUT system "root" CAs.
+    bool has_strong_verification(boost::string_ref host) const noexcept;
+
+    //! Search against internal fingerprints. Always false if `behavior() != user_certificate_check`.
+    bool has_fingerprint(boost::asio::ssl::verify_context &ctx) const;
+
+    boost::asio::ssl::context create_context() const;
+
+    /*! \note If `this->support == autodetect && this->verification != none`,
+          then the handshake will not fail when peer verification fails. The
+          assumption is that a re-connect will be attempted, so a warning is
+          logged instead of failure.
+
+        \note It is strongly encouraged that clients using `system_ca`
+          verification provide a non-empty `host` for rfc2818 verification.
+
+        \param socket Used in SSL handshake and verification
+        \param type Client or server
+        \param host This parameter is only used when
+          `type == client && !host.empty()`. The value is sent to the server for
+          situations where multiple hostnames are being handled by a server. If
+          `verification == system_ca` the client also does a rfc2818 check to
+          ensure that the server certificate is to the provided hostname.
+
+        \return True if the SSL handshake completes with peer verification
+          settings. */
+    bool handshake(boost::asio::ssl::stream<boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket> &socket, boost::asio::ssl::stream_base::handshake_type type, const std::string& host = {}) const;
+  };
 
         // https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/34780/checking-client-hello-for-https-classification
 	constexpr size_t get_ssl_magic_size() { return 9; }
 	bool is_ssl(const unsigned char *data, size_t len);
-	ssl_context_t create_ssl_context(const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path, std::list<std::string> allowed_certificates, std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> allowed_fingerprints, bool allow_any_cert);
-	void use_ssl_certificate(ssl_context_t &ssl_context, const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path);
-	bool is_certificate_allowed(boost::asio::ssl::verify_context &ctx, const ssl_context_t &ssl_context);
-	bool ssl_handshake(boost::asio::ssl::stream<boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket> &socket, boost::asio::ssl::stream_base::handshake_type type, const epee::net_utils::ssl_context_t &ssl_context);
-        bool ssl_support_from_string(ssl_support_t &ssl, boost::string_ref s);
+	bool ssl_support_from_string(ssl_support_t &ssl, boost::string_ref s);
 }
 }
 
diff --git a/contrib/epee/src/connection_basic.cpp b/contrib/epee/src/connection_basic.cpp
index cafc08ead..19f2c7b02 100644
--- a/contrib/epee/src/connection_basic.cpp
+++ b/contrib/epee/src/connection_basic.cpp
@@ -65,6 +65,15 @@ namespace epee
 namespace net_utils
 {
 
+namespace
+{
+	boost::asio::ssl::context& get_context(connection_basic_shared_state* state)
+	{
+		CHECK_AND_ASSERT_THROW_MES(state != nullptr, "state shared_ptr cannot be null");
+		return state->ssl_context;
+	}
+}
+
   std::string to_string(t_connection_type type)
   {
 	  if (type == e_connection_type_NET)
@@ -119,56 +128,54 @@ connection_basic_pimpl::connection_basic_pimpl(const std::string &name) : m_thro
 int connection_basic_pimpl::m_default_tos;
 
 // methods:
-connection_basic::connection_basic(boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket&& sock, boost::shared_ptr<socket_stats> stats, ssl_support_t ssl_support, ssl_context_t &ssl_context)
+connection_basic::connection_basic(boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket&& sock, boost::shared_ptr<connection_basic_shared_state> state, ssl_support_t ssl_support)
 	:
-	m_stats(std::move(stats)),
+	m_state(std::move(state)),
 	mI( new connection_basic_pimpl("peer") ),
 	strand_(GET_IO_SERVICE(sock)),
-	socket_(GET_IO_SERVICE(sock), ssl_context.context),
+	socket_(GET_IO_SERVICE(sock), get_context(m_state.get())),
 	m_want_close_connection(false),
 	m_was_shutdown(false),
-	m_ssl_support(ssl_support),
-	m_ssl_context(ssl_context)
+	m_ssl_support(ssl_support)
 {
 	// add nullptr checks if removed
-	CHECK_AND_ASSERT_THROW_MES(bool(m_stats), "stats shared_ptr cannot be null");
+	assert(m_state != nullptr); // release runtime check in get_context
 
         socket_.next_layer() = std::move(sock);
 
-	++(m_stats->sock_count); // increase the global counter
-	mI->m_peer_number = m_stats->sock_number.fetch_add(1); // use, and increase the generated number
+	++(m_state->sock_count); // increase the global counter
+	mI->m_peer_number = m_state->sock_number.fetch_add(1); // use, and increase the generated number
 
 	std::string remote_addr_str = "?";
 	try { boost::system::error_code e; remote_addr_str = socket().remote_endpoint(e).address().to_string(); } catch(...){} ;
 
-	_note("Spawned connection #"<<mI->m_peer_number<<" to " << remote_addr_str << " currently we have sockets count:" << m_stats->sock_count);
+	_note("Spawned connection #"<<mI->m_peer_number<<" to " << remote_addr_str << " currently we have sockets count:" << m_state->sock_count);
 }
 
-connection_basic::connection_basic(boost::asio::io_service &io_service, boost::shared_ptr<socket_stats> stats, ssl_support_t ssl_support, ssl_context_t &ssl_context)
+connection_basic::connection_basic(boost::asio::io_service &io_service, boost::shared_ptr<connection_basic_shared_state> state, ssl_support_t ssl_support)
 	:
-	m_stats(std::move(stats)),
+	m_state(std::move(state)),
 	mI( new connection_basic_pimpl("peer") ),
 	strand_(io_service),
-	socket_(io_service, ssl_context.context),
-	m_want_close_connection(false), 
+	socket_(io_service, get_context(m_state.get())),
+	m_want_close_connection(false),
 	m_was_shutdown(false),
-	m_ssl_support(ssl_support),
-	m_ssl_context(ssl_context)
+	m_ssl_support(ssl_support)
 {
 	// add nullptr checks if removed
-	CHECK_AND_ASSERT_THROW_MES(bool(m_stats), "stats shared_ptr cannot be null");
+	assert(m_state != nullptr); // release runtime check in get_context
 
-	++(m_stats->sock_count); // increase the global counter
-	mI->m_peer_number = m_stats->sock_number.fetch_add(1); // use, and increase the generated number
+	++(m_state->sock_count); // increase the global counter
+	mI->m_peer_number = m_state->sock_number.fetch_add(1); // use, and increase the generated number
 
 	std::string remote_addr_str = "?";
 	try { boost::system::error_code e; remote_addr_str = socket().remote_endpoint(e).address().to_string(); } catch(...){} ;
 
-	_note("Spawned connection #"<<mI->m_peer_number<<" to " << remote_addr_str << " currently we have sockets count:" << m_stats->sock_count);
+	_note("Spawned connection #"<<mI->m_peer_number<<" to " << remote_addr_str << " currently we have sockets count:" << m_state->sock_count);
 }
 
 connection_basic::~connection_basic() noexcept(false) {
-	--(m_stats->sock_count);
+	--(m_state->sock_count);
 
 	std::string remote_addr_str = "?";
 	try { boost::system::error_code e; remote_addr_str = socket().remote_endpoint(e).address().to_string(); } catch(...){} ;
diff --git a/contrib/epee/src/net_ssl.cpp b/contrib/epee/src/net_ssl.cpp
index cb65121bd..7bedb18ac 100644
--- a/contrib/epee/src/net_ssl.cpp
+++ b/contrib/epee/src/net_ssl.cpp
@@ -77,6 +77,21 @@ namespace
     }
   };
   using openssl_bignum = std::unique_ptr<BIGNUM, openssl_bignum_free>;
+
+  boost::system::error_code load_ca_file(boost::asio::ssl::context& ctx, const std::string& path)
+  {
+    SSL_CTX* const ssl_ctx = ctx.native_handle(); // could be moved from context
+    if (ssl_ctx == nullptr)
+      return {boost::asio::error::invalid_argument};
+
+    if (!SSL_CTX_load_verify_locations(ssl_ctx, path.c_str(), nullptr))
+    {
+      return boost::system::error_code{
+        int(::ERR_get_error()), boost::asio::error::get_ssl_category()
+      };
+    }
+    return boost::system::error_code{};
+  }
 }
 
 namespace epee
@@ -84,6 +99,7 @@ namespace epee
 namespace net_utils
 {
 
+
 // https://stackoverflow.com/questions/256405/programmatically-create-x509-certificate-using-openssl
 bool create_ssl_certificate(EVP_PKEY *&pkey, X509 *&cert)
 {
@@ -155,22 +171,34 @@ bool create_ssl_certificate(EVP_PKEY *&pkey, X509 *&cert)
   return true;
 }
 
-ssl_context_t create_ssl_context(const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path, std::list<std::string> allowed_certificates, std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> allowed_fingerprints, bool allow_any_cert)
+ssl_options_t::ssl_options_t(std::vector<std::vector<std::uint8_t>> fingerprints, std::string ca_path)
+  : fingerprints_(std::move(fingerprints)),
+    ca_path(std::move(ca_path)),
+    auth(),
+    support(ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled),
+    verification(ssl_verification_t::user_certificates)
 {
-  ssl_context_t ssl_context{boost::asio::ssl::context(boost::asio::ssl::context::tlsv12), std::move(allowed_certificates), std::move(allowed_fingerprints)};
+  std::sort(fingerprints_.begin(), fingerprints_.end());
+}
+
+boost::asio::ssl::context ssl_options_t::create_context() const
+{
+  boost::asio::ssl::context ssl_context{boost::asio::ssl::context::tlsv12};
+  if (!bool(*this))
+    return ssl_context;
 
   // only allow tls v1.2 and up
-  ssl_context.context.set_options(boost::asio::ssl::context::default_workarounds);
-  ssl_context.context.set_options(boost::asio::ssl::context::no_sslv2);
-  ssl_context.context.set_options(boost::asio::ssl::context::no_sslv3);
-  ssl_context.context.set_options(boost::asio::ssl::context::no_tlsv1);
-  ssl_context.context.set_options(boost::asio::ssl::context::no_tlsv1_1);
+  ssl_context.set_options(boost::asio::ssl::context::default_workarounds);
+  ssl_context.set_options(boost::asio::ssl::context::no_sslv2);
+  ssl_context.set_options(boost::asio::ssl::context::no_sslv3);
+  ssl_context.set_options(boost::asio::ssl::context::no_tlsv1);
+  ssl_context.set_options(boost::asio::ssl::context::no_tlsv1_1);
 
   // only allow a select handful of tls v1.3 and v1.2 ciphers to be used
-  SSL_CTX_set_cipher_list(ssl_context.context.native_handle(), "ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305-SHA256:ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-SHA384:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-SHA256:ECDHE-RSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305");
+  SSL_CTX_set_cipher_list(ssl_context.native_handle(), "ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305-SHA256:ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-SHA384:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-SHA256:ECDHE-RSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305");
 
   // set options on the SSL context for added security
-  SSL_CTX *ctx = ssl_context.context.native_handle();
+  SSL_CTX *ctx = ssl_context.native_handle();
   CHECK_AND_ASSERT_THROW_MES(ctx, "Failed to get SSL context");
   SSL_CTX_clear_options(ctx, SSL_OP_LEGACY_SERVER_CONNECT); // SSL_CTX_SET_OPTIONS(3)
   SSL_CTX_set_session_cache_mode(ctx, SSL_SESS_CACHE_OFF); // https://stackoverflow.com/questions/22378442
@@ -186,10 +214,29 @@ ssl_context_t create_ssl_context(const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &priv
 #ifdef SSL_OP_NO_COMPRESSION
   SSL_CTX_set_options(ctx, SSL_OP_NO_COMPRESSION);
 #endif
-  ssl_context.context.set_default_verify_paths();
 
-  CHECK_AND_ASSERT_THROW_MES(private_key_and_certificate_path.first.empty() == private_key_and_certificate_path.second.empty(), "private key and certificate must be either both given or both empty");
-  if (private_key_and_certificate_path.second.empty())
+  switch (verification)
+  {
+    case ssl_verification_t::system_ca:
+      ssl_context.set_default_verify_paths();
+      break;
+    case ssl_verification_t::user_certificates:
+      ssl_context.set_verify_depth(0);
+      /* fallthrough */
+    case ssl_verification_t::user_ca:
+      if (!ca_path.empty())
+      {
+        const boost::system::error_code err = load_ca_file(ssl_context, ca_path);
+        if (err)
+          throw boost::system::system_error{err, "Failed to load user CA file at " + ca_path};
+      }
+      break;
+    default:
+      break;
+  }
+
+  CHECK_AND_ASSERT_THROW_MES(auth.private_key_path.empty() == auth.certificate_path.empty(), "private key and certificate must be either both given or both empty");
+  if (auth.private_key_path.empty())
   {
     EVP_PKEY *pkey;
     X509 *cert;
@@ -200,19 +247,15 @@ ssl_context_t create_ssl_context(const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &priv
     EVP_PKEY_free(pkey);
   }
   else
-  {
-    ssl_context.context.use_private_key_file(private_key_and_certificate_path.first, boost::asio::ssl::context::pem);
-    ssl_context.context.use_certificate_file(private_key_and_certificate_path.second, boost::asio::ssl::context::pem);
-  }
-  ssl_context.allow_any_cert = allow_any_cert;
+    auth.use_ssl_certificate(ssl_context);
 
   return ssl_context;
 }
 
-void use_ssl_certificate(ssl_context_t &ssl_context, const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path)
+void ssl_authentication_t::use_ssl_certificate(boost::asio::ssl::context &ssl_context) const
 {
-  ssl_context.context.use_private_key_file(private_key_and_certificate_path.first, boost::asio::ssl::context::pem);
-  ssl_context.context.use_certificate_file(private_key_and_certificate_path.second, boost::asio::ssl::context::pem);
+  ssl_context.use_private_key_file(private_key_path, boost::asio::ssl::context::pem);
+  ssl_context.use_certificate_chain_file(certificate_path);
 }
 
 bool is_ssl(const unsigned char *data, size_t len)
@@ -235,23 +278,44 @@ bool is_ssl(const unsigned char *data, size_t len)
   return false;
 }
 
-bool is_certificate_allowed(boost::asio::ssl::verify_context &ctx, const ssl_context_t &ssl_context)
+bool ssl_options_t::has_strong_verification(boost::string_ref host) const noexcept
 {
-  X509_STORE_CTX *sctx = ctx.native_handle();
-  if (!sctx)
+  // onion and i2p addresses contain information about the server cert
+  // which both authenticates and encrypts
+  if (host.ends_with(".onion") || host.ends_with(".i2p"))
+    return true;
+  switch (verification)
   {
-    MERROR("Error getting verify_context handle");
-    return false;
-  }
-  X509 *cert =X509_STORE_CTX_get_current_cert(sctx);
-  if (!cert)
-  {
-    MERROR("No certificate found in verify_context");
-    return false;
+    default:
+    case ssl_verification_t::none:
+    case ssl_verification_t::system_ca:
+      return false;
+    case ssl_verification_t::user_certificates:
+    case ssl_verification_t::user_ca:
+      break;
   }
+  return true;
+}
 
+bool ssl_options_t::has_fingerprint(boost::asio::ssl::verify_context &ctx) const
+{
   // can we check the certificate against a list of fingerprints?
-  if (!ssl_context.allowed_fingerprints.empty()) {
+  if (!fingerprints_.empty()) {
+    X509_STORE_CTX *sctx = ctx.native_handle();
+    if (!sctx)
+    {
+      MERROR("Error getting verify_context handle");
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    X509* cert = nullptr;
+    const STACK_OF(X509)* chain = X509_STORE_CTX_get_chain(sctx);
+    if (!chain || sk_X509_num(chain) < 1 || !(cert = sk_X509_value(chain, 0)))
+    {
+      MERROR("No certificate found in verify_context");
+      return false;
+    }
+
     // buffer for the certificate digest and the size of the result
     std::vector<uint8_t> digest(EVP_MAX_MD_SIZE);
     unsigned int size{ 0 };
@@ -265,74 +329,63 @@ bool is_certificate_allowed(boost::asio::ssl::verify_context &ctx, const ssl_con
     // strip unnecessary bytes from the digest
     digest.resize(size);
 
-    // is the certificate fingerprint inside the list of allowed fingerprints?
-    if (std::find(ssl_context.allowed_fingerprints.begin(), ssl_context.allowed_fingerprints.end(), digest) != ssl_context.allowed_fingerprints.end())
-      return true;
+    return std::binary_search(fingerprints_.begin(), fingerprints_.end(), digest);
   }
 
-  if (!ssl_context.allowed_certificates.empty()) {
-    BIO *bio_cert = BIO_new(BIO_s_mem());
-    bool success = PEM_write_bio_X509(bio_cert, cert);
-    if (!success)
-    {
-      BIO_free(bio_cert);
-      MERROR("Failed to print certificate");
-      return false;
-    }
-    BUF_MEM *buf = NULL;
-    BIO_get_mem_ptr(bio_cert, &buf);
-    if (!buf || !buf->data || !buf->length)
-    {
-      BIO_free(bio_cert);
-      MERROR("Failed to write certificate: " << ERR_get_error());
-      return false;
-    }
-    std::string certificate(std::string(buf->data, buf->length));
-    BIO_free(bio_cert);
-    if (std::find(ssl_context.allowed_certificates.begin(), ssl_context.allowed_certificates.end(), certificate) != ssl_context.allowed_certificates.end())
-      return true;
-  }
-
-  // if either checklist is non-empty we must have failed it
-  return ssl_context.allowed_fingerprints.empty() && ssl_context.allowed_certificates.empty();
+  return false;
 }
 
-bool ssl_handshake(boost::asio::ssl::stream<boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket> &socket, boost::asio::ssl::stream_base::handshake_type type, const epee::net_utils::ssl_context_t &ssl_context)
+bool ssl_options_t::handshake(boost::asio::ssl::stream<boost::asio::ip::tcp::socket> &socket, boost::asio::ssl::stream_base::handshake_type type, const std::string& host) const
 {
-  bool verified = false;
   socket.next_layer().set_option(boost::asio::ip::tcp::no_delay(true));
-  socket.set_verify_mode(boost::asio::ssl::verify_peer);
-  socket.set_verify_callback([&](bool preverified, boost::asio::ssl::verify_context &ctx)
+
+  /* Using system-wide CA store for client verification is funky - there is
+     no expected hostname for server to verify against. If server doesn't have
+     specific whitelisted certificates for client, don't require client to
+     send certificate at all. */
+  const bool no_verification = verification == ssl_verification_t::none ||
+    (type == boost::asio::ssl::stream_base::server && fingerprints_.empty() && ca_path.empty());
+
+  /* According to OpenSSL documentation (and SSL specifications), server must
+     always send certificate unless "anonymous" cipher mode is used which are
+     disabled by default. Either way, the certificate is never inspected. */
+  if (no_verification)
+    socket.set_verify_mode(boost::asio::ssl::verify_none);
+  else
   {
-    if (!preverified)
+    socket.set_verify_mode(boost::asio::ssl::verify_peer | boost::asio::ssl::verify_fail_if_no_peer_cert);
+
+    // in case server is doing "virtual" domains, set hostname
+    SSL* const ssl_ctx = socket.native_handle();
+    if (type == boost::asio::ssl::stream_base::client && !host.empty() && ssl_ctx)
+      SSL_set_tlsext_host_name(ssl_ctx, host.c_str());
+
+    socket.set_verify_callback([&](const bool preverified, boost::asio::ssl::verify_context &ctx)
     {
-      const int err = X509_STORE_CTX_get_error(ctx.native_handle());
-      const int depth = X509_STORE_CTX_get_error_depth(ctx.native_handle());
-      if (err != X509_V_ERR_DEPTH_ZERO_SELF_SIGNED_CERT || depth != 0)
+      // preverified means it passed system or user CA check. System CA is never loaded
+      // when fingerprints are whitelisted.
+      const bool verified = preverified &&
+        (verification != ssl_verification_t::system_ca || host.empty() || boost::asio::ssl::rfc2818_verification(host)(preverified, ctx));
+
+      if (!verified && !has_fingerprint(ctx))
       {
-        MERROR("Invalid SSL certificate, error " << err << " at depth " << depth << ", connection dropped");
-        return false;
+        // autodetect will reconnect without SSL - warn and keep connection encrypted
+        if (support != ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect)
+        {
+          MERROR("SSL certificate is not in the allowed list, connection droppped");
+          return false;
+        }
+        MWARNING("SSL peer has not been verified");
       }
-    }
-    if (!ssl_context.allow_any_cert && !is_certificate_allowed(ctx, ssl_context))
-    {
-      MERROR("Certificate is not in the allowed list, connection droppped");
-      return false;
-    }
-    verified = true;
-    return true;
-  });
+      return true;
+    });
+  }
 
   boost::system::error_code ec;
   socket.handshake(type, ec);
   if (ec)
   {
-    MERROR("handshake failed, connection dropped: " << ec.message());
-    return false;
-  }
-  if (!ssl_context.allow_any_cert && !verified)
-  {
-    MERROR("Peer did not provide a certificate in the allowed list, connection dropped");
+    MERROR("SSL handshake failed, connection dropped: " << ec.message());
     return false;
   }
   MDEBUG("SSL handshake success");
diff --git a/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.cpp b/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.cpp
index 3e580a0fb..161ad2951 100644
--- a/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.cpp
+++ b/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.cpp
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
     command_line::add_arg(desc, arg_rpc_ssl);
     command_line::add_arg(desc, arg_rpc_ssl_private_key);
     command_line::add_arg(desc, arg_rpc_ssl_certificate);
-    command_line::add_arg(desc, arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_certificates);
+    command_line::add_arg(desc, arg_rpc_ssl_ca_certificates);
     command_line::add_arg(desc, arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints);
     command_line::add_arg(desc, arg_rpc_ssl_allow_any_cert);
     command_line::add_arg(desc, arg_bootstrap_daemon_address);
@@ -149,36 +149,38 @@ namespace cryptonote
     if (rpc_config->login)
       http_login.emplace(std::move(rpc_config->login->username), std::move(rpc_config->login->password).password());
 
-    epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support;
-    const std::string ssl = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl);
-    if (!epee::net_utils::ssl_support_from_string(ssl_support, ssl))
+    epee::net_utils::ssl_options_t ssl_options = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect;
+    if (command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_allow_any_cert))
+      ssl_options.verification = epee::net_utils::ssl_verification_t::none;
+    else
     {
-      MFATAL("Invalid RPC SSL support: " << ssl);
-      return false;
+      std::string ssl_ca_path = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_ca_certificates);
+      const std::vector<std::string> ssl_allowed_fingerprint_strings = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints);
+      std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> ssl_allowed_fingerprints{ ssl_allowed_fingerprint_strings.size() };
+      std::transform(ssl_allowed_fingerprint_strings.begin(), ssl_allowed_fingerprint_strings.end(), ssl_allowed_fingerprints.begin(), epee::from_hex::vector);
+
+      if (!ssl_ca_path.empty() || !ssl_allowed_fingerprints.empty())
+        ssl_options = epee::net_utils::ssl_options_t{std::move(ssl_allowed_fingerprints), std::move(ssl_ca_path)};
     }
-    const std::string ssl_private_key = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_private_key);
-    const std::string ssl_certificate = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_certificate);
-    const std::vector<std::string> ssl_allowed_certificate_paths = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_certificates);
-    std::list<std::string> ssl_allowed_certificates;
-    for (const std::string &path: ssl_allowed_certificate_paths)
+
+    ssl_options.auth = epee::net_utils::ssl_authentication_t{
+      command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_private_key), command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_certificate)
+    };
+
+    // user specified CA file or fingeprints implies enabled SSL by default
+    if (ssl_options.verification != epee::net_utils::ssl_verification_t::user_certificates || !command_line::is_arg_defaulted(vm, arg_rpc_ssl))
     {
-      ssl_allowed_certificates.push_back({});
-      if (!epee::file_io_utils::load_file_to_string(path, ssl_allowed_certificates.back()))
+      const std::string ssl = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl);
+      if (!epee::net_utils::ssl_support_from_string(ssl_options.support, ssl))
       {
-        MERROR("Failed to load certificate: " << path);
-        ssl_allowed_certificates.back() = std::string();
+        MFATAL("Invalid RPC SSL support: " << ssl);
+        return false;
       }
     }
 
-    const std::vector<std::string> ssl_allowed_fingerprint_strings = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints);
-    std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> ssl_allowed_fingerprints{ ssl_allowed_fingerprint_strings.size() };
-    std::transform(ssl_allowed_fingerprint_strings.begin(), ssl_allowed_fingerprint_strings.end(), ssl_allowed_fingerprints.begin(), epee::from_hex::vector);
-    const bool ssl_allow_any_cert = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_allow_any_cert);
-
     auto rng = [](size_t len, uint8_t *ptr){ return crypto::rand(len, ptr); };
     return epee::http_server_impl_base<core_rpc_server, connection_context>::init(
-      rng, std::move(port), std::move(rpc_config->bind_ip), std::move(rpc_config->access_control_origins), std::move(http_login),
-      ssl_support, std::make_pair(ssl_private_key, ssl_certificate), std::move(ssl_allowed_certificates), std::move(ssl_allowed_fingerprints), ssl_allow_any_cert
+      rng, std::move(port), std::move(rpc_config->bind_ip), std::move(rpc_config->access_control_origins), std::move(http_login), std::move(ssl_options)
     );
   }
   //------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -2408,9 +2410,9 @@ namespace cryptonote
     , ""
     };
 
-  const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::vector<std::string>> core_rpc_server::arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_certificates = {
-      "rpc-ssl-allowed-certificates"
-    , "List of paths to PEM format certificates of allowed peers (all allowed if empty)"
+  const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> core_rpc_server::arg_rpc_ssl_ca_certificates = {
+      "rpc-ssl-ca-certificates"
+    , "Path to file containing concatenated PEM format certificate(s) to replace system CA(s)."
     };
 
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::vector<std::string>> core_rpc_server::arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints = {
@@ -2420,7 +2422,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
 
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<bool> core_rpc_server::arg_rpc_ssl_allow_any_cert = {
       "rpc-ssl-allow-any-cert"
-    , "Allow any peer certificate, rather than just those on the allowed list"
+    , "Allow any peer certificate"
     , false
     };
 
diff --git a/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.h b/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.h
index 8f5d83f1b..a42ca2494 100644
--- a/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.h
+++ b/src/rpc/core_rpc_server.h
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
     static const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> arg_rpc_ssl;
     static const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> arg_rpc_ssl_private_key;
     static const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> arg_rpc_ssl_certificate;
-    static const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::vector<std::string>> arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_certificates;
+    static const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> arg_rpc_ssl_ca_certificates;
     static const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::vector<std::string>> arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints;
     static const command_line::arg_descriptor<bool> arg_rpc_ssl_allow_any_cert;
     static const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> arg_bootstrap_daemon_address;
diff --git a/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp b/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
index 54fbd9ca8..1d3ba900d 100644
--- a/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
@@ -243,9 +243,10 @@ struct options {
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> daemon_ssl = {"daemon-ssl", tools::wallet2::tr("Enable SSL on daemon RPC connections: enabled|disabled|autodetect"), "autodetect"};
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> daemon_ssl_private_key = {"daemon-ssl-private-key", tools::wallet2::tr("Path to a PEM format private key"), ""};
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> daemon_ssl_certificate = {"daemon-ssl-certificate", tools::wallet2::tr("Path to a PEM format certificate"), ""};
-  const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::vector<std::string>> daemon_ssl_allowed_certificates = {"daemon-ssl-allowed-certificates", tools::wallet2::tr("List of paths to PEM format certificates of allowed RPC servers")};
+  const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> daemon_ssl_ca_certificates = {"daemon-ssl-ca-certificates", tools::wallet2::tr("Path to file containing concatenated PEM format certificate(s) to replace system CA(s).")};
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::vector<std::string>> daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints = {"daemon-ssl-allowed-fingerprints", tools::wallet2::tr("List of valid fingerprints of allowed RPC servers")};
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<bool> daemon_ssl_allow_any_cert = {"daemon-ssl-allow-any-cert", tools::wallet2::tr("Allow any SSL certificate from the daemon"), false};
+  const command_line::arg_descriptor<bool> daemon_ssl_allow_chained = {"daemon-ssl-allow-chained", tools::wallet2::tr("Allow user (via --daemon-ssl-ca-certificates) chain certificates"), false};
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<bool> testnet = {"testnet", tools::wallet2::tr("For testnet. Daemon must also be launched with --testnet flag"), false};
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<bool> stagenet = {"stagenet", tools::wallet2::tr("For stagenet. Daemon must also be launched with --stagenet flag"), false};
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string, false, true, 2> shared_ringdb_dir = {
@@ -314,6 +315,7 @@ std::unique_ptr<tools::wallet2> make_basic(const boost::program_options::variabl
   const uint64_t kdf_rounds = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.kdf_rounds);
   THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(kdf_rounds == 0, tools::error::wallet_internal_error, "KDF rounds must not be 0");
 
+  const bool use_proxy = command_line::has_arg(vm, opts.proxy);
   auto daemon_address = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.daemon_address);
   auto daemon_host = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.daemon_host);
   auto daemon_port = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.daemon_port);
@@ -321,13 +323,37 @@ std::unique_ptr<tools::wallet2> make_basic(const boost::program_options::variabl
   auto device_derivation_path = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.hw_device_derivation_path);
   auto daemon_ssl_private_key = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.daemon_ssl_private_key);
   auto daemon_ssl_certificate = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.daemon_ssl_certificate);
-  auto daemon_ssl_allowed_certificates = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.daemon_ssl_allowed_certificates);
+  auto daemon_ssl_ca_file = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.daemon_ssl_ca_certificates);
   auto daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints);
   auto daemon_ssl_allow_any_cert = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.daemon_ssl_allow_any_cert);
   auto daemon_ssl = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.daemon_ssl);
-  epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support;
-  THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!epee::net_utils::ssl_support_from_string(ssl_support, daemon_ssl), tools::error::wallet_internal_error,
-      tools::wallet2::tr("Invalid argument for ") + std::string(opts.daemon_ssl.name));
+
+  // user specified CA file or fingeprints implies enabled SSL by default
+  epee::net_utils::ssl_options_t ssl_options = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled;
+  if (command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.daemon_ssl_allow_any_cert))
+    ssl_options.verification = epee::net_utils::ssl_verification_t::none;
+  else if (!daemon_ssl_ca_file.empty() || !daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.empty())
+  {
+    std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> ssl_allowed_fingerprints{ daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.size() };
+    std::transform(daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.begin(), daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.end(), ssl_allowed_fingerprints.begin(), epee::from_hex::vector);
+
+    ssl_options = epee::net_utils::ssl_options_t{
+      std::move(ssl_allowed_fingerprints), std::move(daemon_ssl_ca_file)
+    };
+
+    if (command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.daemon_ssl_allow_chained))
+      ssl_options.verification = epee::net_utils::ssl_verification_t::user_ca;
+  }
+
+  if (ssl_options.verification != epee::net_utils::ssl_verification_t::user_certificates || !command_line::is_arg_defaulted(vm, opts.daemon_ssl))
+  {
+    THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!epee::net_utils::ssl_support_from_string(ssl_options.support, daemon_ssl), tools::error::wallet_internal_error,
+       tools::wallet2::tr("Invalid argument for ") + std::string(opts.daemon_ssl.name));
+  }
+
+  ssl_options.auth = epee::net_utils::ssl_authentication_t{
+    std::move(daemon_ssl_private_key), std::move(daemon_ssl_certificate)
+  };
 
   THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!daemon_address.empty() && !daemon_host.empty() && 0 != daemon_port,
       tools::error::wallet_internal_error, tools::wallet2::tr("can't specify daemon host or port more than once"));
@@ -357,22 +383,24 @@ std::unique_ptr<tools::wallet2> make_basic(const boost::program_options::variabl
   if (daemon_address.empty())
     daemon_address = std::string("http://") + daemon_host + ":" + std::to_string(daemon_port);
 
-  boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint proxy{};
-  if (command_line::has_arg(vm, opts.proxy))
   {
-    namespace ip = boost::asio::ip;
     const boost::string_ref real_daemon = boost::string_ref{daemon_address}.substr(0, daemon_address.rfind(':'));
 
-    // onion and i2p addresses contain information about the server cert
-    // which both authenticates and encrypts
-    const bool unencrypted_proxy =
-      !real_daemon.ends_with(".onion") && !real_daemon.ends_with(".i2p") &&
-      daemon_ssl_allowed_certificates.empty() && daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.empty();
+    const bool verification_required =
+      ssl_options.support == epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled || use_proxy;
+
     THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(
-      unencrypted_proxy,
+      verification_required && !ssl_options.has_strong_verification(real_daemon),
       tools::error::wallet_internal_error,
-      std::string{"Use of --"} + opts.proxy.name + " requires --" + opts.daemon_ssl_allowed_certificates.name + " or --" + opts.daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.name + " or use of a .onion/.i2p domain"
+      tools::wallet2::tr("Enabling --") + std::string{use_proxy ? opts.proxy.name : opts.daemon_ssl.name} + tools::wallet2::tr(" requires --") +
+        opts.daemon_ssl_ca_certificates.name + tools::wallet2::tr(" or --") + opts.daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.name + tools::wallet2::tr(" or use of a .onion/.i2p domain")
     );
+  }
+
+  boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint proxy{};
+  if (use_proxy)
+  {
+    namespace ip = boost::asio::ip;
 
     const auto proxy_address = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.proxy);
 
@@ -416,22 +444,8 @@ std::unique_ptr<tools::wallet2> make_basic(const boost::program_options::variabl
     catch (const std::exception &e) { }
   }
 
-  std::list<std::string> ssl_allowed_certificates;
-  for (const std::string &path: daemon_ssl_allowed_certificates)
-  {
-      ssl_allowed_certificates.push_back({});
-      if (!epee::file_io_utils::load_file_to_string(path, ssl_allowed_certificates.back()))
-      {
-        MERROR("Failed to load certificate: " << path);
-        ssl_allowed_certificates.back() = std::string();
-      }
-  }
-
-  std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> ssl_allowed_fingerprints{ daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.size() };
-  std::transform(daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.begin(), daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.end(), ssl_allowed_fingerprints.begin(), epee::from_hex::vector);
-
   std::unique_ptr<tools::wallet2> wallet(new tools::wallet2(nettype, kdf_rounds, unattended));
-  wallet->init(std::move(daemon_address), std::move(login), std::move(proxy), 0, *trusted_daemon, ssl_support, std::make_pair(daemon_ssl_private_key, daemon_ssl_certificate), ssl_allowed_certificates, ssl_allowed_fingerprints, daemon_ssl_allow_any_cert);
+  wallet->init(std::move(daemon_address), std::move(login), std::move(proxy), 0, *trusted_daemon, std::move(ssl_options));
   boost::filesystem::path ringdb_path = command_line::get_arg(vm, opts.shared_ringdb_dir);
   wallet->set_ring_database(ringdb_path.string());
   wallet->get_message_store().set_options(vm);
@@ -1100,9 +1114,10 @@ void wallet2::init_options(boost::program_options::options_description& desc_par
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, opts.daemon_ssl);
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, opts.daemon_ssl_private_key);
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, opts.daemon_ssl_certificate);
-  command_line::add_arg(desc_params, opts.daemon_ssl_allowed_certificates);
+  command_line::add_arg(desc_params, opts.daemon_ssl_ca_certificates);
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, opts.daemon_ssl_allowed_fingerprints);
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, opts.daemon_ssl_allow_any_cert);
+  command_line::add_arg(desc_params, opts.daemon_ssl_allow_chained);
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, opts.testnet);
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, opts.stagenet);
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, opts.shared_ringdb_dir);
@@ -1154,10 +1169,7 @@ std::unique_ptr<wallet2> wallet2::make_dummy(const boost::program_options::varia
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-bool wallet2::set_daemon(std::string daemon_address, boost::optional<epee::net_utils::http::login> daemon_login, bool trusted_daemon,
-    epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support, const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path,
-    const std::list<std::string> &allowed_certificates, const std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> &allowed_fingerprints,
-    bool allow_any_cert)
+bool wallet2::set_daemon(std::string daemon_address, boost::optional<epee::net_utils::http::login> daemon_login, bool trusted_daemon, epee::net_utils::ssl_options_t ssl_options)
 {
   if(m_http_client.is_connected())
     m_http_client.disconnect();
@@ -1166,17 +1178,17 @@ bool wallet2::set_daemon(std::string daemon_address, boost::optional<epee::net_u
   m_trusted_daemon = trusted_daemon;
 
   MINFO("setting daemon to " << get_daemon_address());
-  return m_http_client.set_server(get_daemon_address(), get_daemon_login(), ssl_support, private_key_and_certificate_path, allowed_certificates, allowed_fingerprints, allow_any_cert);
+  return m_http_client.set_server(get_daemon_address(), get_daemon_login(), std::move(ssl_options));
 }
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-bool wallet2::init(std::string daemon_address, boost::optional<epee::net_utils::http::login> daemon_login, boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint proxy, uint64_t upper_transaction_weight_limit, bool trusted_daemon, epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support, const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path, const std::list<std::string> &allowed_certificates, const std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> &allowed_fingerprints, bool allow_any_cert)
+bool wallet2::init(std::string daemon_address, boost::optional<epee::net_utils::http::login> daemon_login, boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint proxy, uint64_t upper_transaction_weight_limit, bool trusted_daemon, epee::net_utils::ssl_options_t ssl_options)
 {
   m_checkpoints.init_default_checkpoints(m_nettype);
   m_is_initialized = true;
   m_upper_transaction_weight_limit = upper_transaction_weight_limit;
   if (proxy != boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint{})
     m_http_client.set_connector(net::socks::connector{std::move(proxy)});
-  return set_daemon(daemon_address, daemon_login, trusted_daemon, ssl_support, private_key_and_certificate_path, allowed_certificates, allowed_fingerprints, allow_any_cert);
+  return set_daemon(daemon_address, daemon_login, trusted_daemon, std::move(ssl_options));
 }
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 bool wallet2::is_deterministic() const
diff --git a/src/wallet/wallet2.h b/src/wallet/wallet2.h
index a24127800..38cd68784 100644
--- a/src/wallet/wallet2.h
+++ b/src/wallet/wallet2.h
@@ -689,16 +689,10 @@ namespace tools
       boost::asio::ip::tcp::endpoint proxy = {},
       uint64_t upper_transaction_weight_limit = 0,
       bool trusted_daemon = true,
-      epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect,
-      const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path = {},
-      const std::list<std::string> &allowed_certificates = {}, const std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> &allowed_fingerprints = {},
-      bool allow_any_cert = false);
+      epee::net_utils::ssl_options_t ssl_options = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect);
     bool set_daemon(std::string daemon_address = "http://localhost:8080",
       boost::optional<epee::net_utils::http::login> daemon_login = boost::none, bool trusted_daemon = true,
-      epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect,
-      const std::pair<std::string, std::string> &private_key_and_certificate_path = {},
-      const std::list<std::string> &allowed_certificates = {}, const std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> &allowed_fingerprints = {},
-      bool allow_any_cert = false);
+      epee::net_utils::ssl_options_t ssl_options = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_autodetect);
 
     void stop() { m_run.store(false, std::memory_order_relaxed); m_message_store.stop(); }
 
diff --git a/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp b/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp
index 92265d954..d456797a9 100644
--- a/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ namespace
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> arg_rpc_ssl = {"rpc-ssl", tools::wallet2::tr("Enable SSL on wallet RPC connections: enabled|disabled|autodetect"), "autodetect"};
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> arg_rpc_ssl_private_key = {"rpc-ssl-private-key", tools::wallet2::tr("Path to a PEM format private key"), ""};
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> arg_rpc_ssl_certificate = {"rpc-ssl-certificate", tools::wallet2::tr("Path to a PEM format certificate"), ""};
-  const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::vector<std::string>> arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_certificates = {"rpc-ssl-allowed-certificates", tools::wallet2::tr("List of paths to PEM format certificates of allowed RPC servers (all allowed if empty)")};
+  const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::string> arg_rpc_ssl_ca_certificates = {"rpc-ssl-ca-certificates", tools::wallet2::tr("Path to file containing concatenated PEM format certificate(s) to replace system CA(s).")};
   const command_line::arg_descriptor<std::vector<std::string>> arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints = {"rpc-ssl-allowed-fingerprints", tools::wallet2::tr("List of certificate fingerprints to allow")};
 
   constexpr const char default_rpc_username[] = "monero";
@@ -247,28 +247,34 @@ namespace tools
 
     auto rpc_ssl_private_key = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_private_key);
     auto rpc_ssl_certificate = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_certificate);
-    auto rpc_ssl_allowed_certificates = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_certificates);
+    auto rpc_ssl_ca_file = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_ca_certificates);
     auto rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints);
     auto rpc_ssl = command_line::get_arg(vm, arg_rpc_ssl);
-    epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t rpc_ssl_support;
-    if (!epee::net_utils::ssl_support_from_string(rpc_ssl_support, rpc_ssl))
+    epee::net_utils::ssl_options_t rpc_ssl_options = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled;
+
+    if (!rpc_ssl_ca_file.empty() || !rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.empty())
     {
-      MERROR("Invalid argument for " << std::string(arg_rpc_ssl.name));
-      return false;
-    }
-    std::list<std::string> allowed_certificates;
-    for (const std::string &path: rpc_ssl_allowed_certificates)
-    {
-        allowed_certificates.push_back({});
-        if (!epee::file_io_utils::load_file_to_string(path, allowed_certificates.back()))
-        {
-          MERROR("Failed to load certificate: " << path);
-          allowed_certificates.back() = std::string();
-        }
+      std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> allowed_fingerprints{ rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.size() };
+      std::transform(rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.begin(), rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.end(), allowed_fingerprints.begin(), epee::from_hex::vector);
+
+      rpc_ssl_options = epee::net_utils::ssl_options_t{
+        std::move(allowed_fingerprints), std::move(rpc_ssl_ca_file)
+      };
     }
 
-    std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> allowed_fingerprints{ rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.size() };
-    std::transform(rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.begin(), rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints.end(), allowed_fingerprints.begin(), epee::from_hex::vector);
+    // user specified CA file or fingeprints implies enabled SSL by default
+    if (rpc_ssl_options.verification != epee::net_utils::ssl_verification_t::user_certificates || !command_line::is_arg_defaulted(vm, arg_rpc_ssl))
+    {
+      if (!epee::net_utils::ssl_support_from_string(rpc_ssl_options.support, rpc_ssl))
+      {
+        MERROR("Invalid argument for " << std::string(arg_rpc_ssl.name));
+        return false;
+      }
+    }
+
+    rpc_ssl_options.auth = epee::net_utils::ssl_authentication_t{
+      std::move(rpc_ssl_private_key), std::move(rpc_ssl_certificate)
+    };
 
     m_auto_refresh_period = DEFAULT_AUTO_REFRESH_PERIOD;
     m_last_auto_refresh_time = boost::posix_time::min_date_time;
@@ -277,7 +283,7 @@ namespace tools
     auto rng = [](size_t len, uint8_t *ptr) { return crypto::rand(len, ptr); };
     return epee::http_server_impl_base<wallet_rpc_server, connection_context>::init(
       rng, std::move(bind_port), std::move(rpc_config->bind_ip), std::move(rpc_config->access_control_origins), std::move(http_login),
-      rpc_ssl_support, std::make_pair(rpc_ssl_private_key, rpc_ssl_certificate), std::move(allowed_certificates), std::move(allowed_fingerprints)
+      std::move(rpc_ssl_options)
     );
   }
   //------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -4054,13 +4060,7 @@ namespace tools
       er.message = "Command unavailable in restricted mode.";
       return false;
     }
-    epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t ssl_support;
-    if (!epee::net_utils::ssl_support_from_string(ssl_support, req.ssl_support))
-    {
-      er.code = WALLET_RPC_ERROR_CODE_NO_DAEMON_CONNECTION;
-      er.message = std::string("Invalid ssl support mode");
-      return false;
-    }
+   
     std::vector<std::vector<uint8_t>> ssl_allowed_fingerprints;
     ssl_allowed_fingerprints.reserve(req.ssl_allowed_fingerprints.size());
     for (const std::string &fp: req.ssl_allowed_fingerprints)
@@ -4070,7 +4070,31 @@ namespace tools
       for (auto c: fp)
         v.push_back(c);
     }
-    if (!m_wallet->set_daemon(req.address, boost::none, req.trusted, ssl_support, std::make_pair(req.ssl_private_key_path, req.ssl_certificate_path), req.ssl_allowed_certificates, ssl_allowed_fingerprints, req.ssl_allow_any_cert))
+
+    epee::net_utils::ssl_options_t ssl_options = epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled;
+    if (req.ssl_allow_any_cert)
+      ssl_options.verification = epee::net_utils::ssl_verification_t::none;
+    else if (!ssl_allowed_fingerprints.empty() || !req.ssl_ca_file.empty())
+      ssl_options = epee::net_utils::ssl_options_t{std::move(ssl_allowed_fingerprints), std::move(req.ssl_ca_file)};
+
+    if (!epee::net_utils::ssl_support_from_string(ssl_options.support, req.ssl_support))
+    {
+      er.code = WALLET_RPC_ERROR_CODE_NO_DAEMON_CONNECTION;
+      er.message = std::string("Invalid ssl support mode");
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    ssl_options.auth = epee::net_utils::ssl_authentication_t{
+      std::move(req.ssl_private_key_path), std::move(req.ssl_certificate_path)
+    };
+
+    if (ssl_options.support == epee::net_utils::ssl_support_t::e_ssl_support_enabled && !ssl_options.has_strong_verification(boost::string_ref{}))
+    {
+      er.code = WALLET_RPC_ERROR_CODE_NO_DAEMON_CONNECTION;
+      er.message = "SSL is enabled but no user certificate or fingerprints were provided";
+    }
+
+    if (!m_wallet->set_daemon(req.address, boost::none, req.trusted, std::move(ssl_options)))
     {
       er.code = WALLET_RPC_ERROR_CODE_NO_DAEMON_CONNECTION;
       er.message = std::string("Unable to set daemon");
@@ -4278,7 +4302,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv) {
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, arg_rpc_ssl);
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, arg_rpc_ssl_private_key);
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, arg_rpc_ssl_certificate);
-  command_line::add_arg(desc_params, arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_certificates);
+  command_line::add_arg(desc_params, arg_rpc_ssl_ca_certificates);
   command_line::add_arg(desc_params, arg_rpc_ssl_allowed_fingerprints);
 
   daemonizer::init_options(hidden_options, desc_params);
diff --git a/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server_commands_defs.h b/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server_commands_defs.h
index 7984f6584..4c945ab41 100644
--- a/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server_commands_defs.h
+++ b/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server_commands_defs.h
@@ -2448,7 +2448,7 @@ namespace wallet_rpc
       std::string ssl_support; // disabled, enabled, autodetect
       std::string ssl_private_key_path;
       std::string ssl_certificate_path;
-      std::list<std::string> ssl_allowed_certificates;
+      std::string ssl_ca_file;
       std::vector<std::string> ssl_allowed_fingerprints;
       bool ssl_allow_any_cert;
 
@@ -2458,7 +2458,7 @@ namespace wallet_rpc
         KV_SERIALIZE_OPT(ssl_support, (std::string)"autodetect")
         KV_SERIALIZE(ssl_private_key_path)
         KV_SERIALIZE(ssl_certificate_path)
-        KV_SERIALIZE(ssl_allowed_certificates)
+        KV_SERIALIZE(ssl_ca_file)
         KV_SERIALIZE(ssl_allowed_fingerprints)
         KV_SERIALIZE_OPT(ssl_allow_any_cert, false)
       END_KV_SERIALIZE_MAP()