diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-deploy.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-deploy.yml
index b66c6b5b86..07301aa33f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci-deploy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci-deploy.yml
@@ -47,28 +47,3 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Push new image
         run: docker push ghcr.io/${{ github.repository_owner }}/go-ethereum:devnet-with-contracts
-
-      ######################################
-      # Step 4: Run tests against new image
-      ######################################
-
-      - name: Start devnet-with-contracts container
-        run: |
-          docker run -d --name geth-devnet-test -p 8546:8545 \
-            ghcr.io/${{ github.repository_owner }}/go-ethereum:devnet-with-contracts \
-            geth --http --http.addr 0.0.0.0 --http.port 8545 --http.api eth,net,web3 --dev
-
-      - name: Wait for RPC to be ready
-        run: |
-          for i in {1..10}; do
-            curl -s http://localhost:8545 && break
-            echo "Waiting for Geth RPC for tests..." && sleep 3
-          done
-
-      - name: Reinstall Hardhat dependencies (for fresh context)
-        working-directory: hardhat
-        run: npm install
-
-      - name: Run Hardhat tests against predeployed contracts
-        working-directory: hardhat
-        run: npx hardhat test --network localhost
diff --git a/hardhat/hardhat.config.js b/hardhat/hardhat.config.js
index b63f0c2f2e..b5fcf87a2f 100644
--- a/hardhat/hardhat.config.js
+++ b/hardhat/hardhat.config.js
@@ -2,5 +2,10 @@ require("@nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox");
 
 /** @type import('hardhat/config').HardhatUserConfig */
 module.exports = {
-  solidity: "0.8.28",
+  networks: {
+    localhost: {
+      url: "http://127.0.0.1:8545",
+    },
+  },
+  solidity: "0.8.18",
 };