diff --git a/qa/pull-tester/rpc-tests.py b/qa/pull-tester/rpc-tests.py
--- a/qa/pull-tester/rpc-tests.py
+++ b/qa/pull-tester/rpc-tests.py
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@
     'listsinceblock.py',
     'p2p-leaktests.py',
     #'abc-cmdline.py',  # FIXME: produces stderr output - run manually until we fix test framework
+    'abc-p2p-activation.py',
     'abc-p2p-fullblocktest.py',
     'abc-rpc.py',
 ]
diff --git a/qa/rpc-tests/abc-p2p-activation.py b/qa/rpc-tests/abc-p2p-activation.py
new file mode 100755
--- /dev/null
+++ b/qa/rpc-tests/abc-p2p-activation.py
@@ -0,0 +1,274 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+# Copyright (c) 2015-2016 The Bitcoin Core developers
+# Copyright (c) 2017 The Bitcoin developers
+# Distributed under the MIT software license, see the accompanying
+# file COPYING or http://www.opensource.org/licenses/mit-license.php.
+"""
+This test checks activation of UAHF and the different consensus
+related to this activation.
+It is derived from the much more complex p2p-fullblocktest.
+"""
+
+from test_framework.test_framework import ComparisonTestFramework
+from test_framework.util import *
+from test_framework.comptool import TestManager, TestInstance, RejectResult
+from test_framework.blocktools import *
+from test_framework.key import CECKey
+from test_framework.script import *
+from test_framework.cdefs import MAX_BLOCK_SIGOPS_PER_MB, MAX_TX_SIGOPS_COUNT, HF_START_TIME
+
+
+class PreviousSpendableOutput(object):
+    def __init__(self, tx = CTransaction(), n = -1):
+        self.tx = tx
+        self.n = n  # the output we're spending
+
+
+class FullBlockTest(ComparisonTestFramework):
+
+    # Can either run this test as 1 node with expected answers, or two and compare them.
+    # Change the "outcome" variable from each TestInstance object to only do the comparison.
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.excessive_block_size = 16 * ONE_MEGABYTE
+        self.num_nodes = 1
+        self.block_heights = {}
+        self.coinbase_key = CECKey()
+        self.coinbase_key.set_secretbytes(b"fatstacks")
+        self.coinbase_pubkey = self.coinbase_key.get_pubkey()
+        self.tip = None
+        self.blocks = {}
+
+    def setup_network(self):
+        self.extra_args = [['-debug',
+                            '-whitelist=127.0.0.1',
+                            "-excessiveblocksize=%d"
+                            % self.excessive_block_size ]]
+        self.nodes = start_nodes(self.num_nodes, self.options.tmpdir,
+                                 self.extra_args,
+                                 binary=[self.options.testbinary])
+
+    def add_options(self, parser):
+        super().add_options(parser)
+        parser.add_option("--runbarelyexpensive", dest="runbarelyexpensive", default=True)
+
+    def run_test(self):
+        self.test = TestManager(self, self.options.tmpdir)
+        self.test.add_all_connections(self.nodes)
+        # Start up network handling in another thread
+        NetworkThread().start()
+        # Set the blocksize to 2MB as initial condition
+        self.nodes[0].setexcessiveblock(self.excessive_block_size)
+        self.test.run()
+
+    def add_transactions_to_block(self, block, tx_list):
+        [ tx.rehash() for tx in tx_list ]
+        block.vtx.extend(tx_list)
+
+    # this is a little handier to use than the version in blocktools.py
+    def create_tx(self, spend_tx, n, value, script=CScript([OP_TRUE])):
+        tx = create_transaction(spend_tx, n, b"", value, script)
+        return tx
+
+    # sign a transaction, using the key we know about
+    # this signs input 0 in tx, which is assumed to be spending output n in spend_tx
+    def sign_tx(self, tx, spend_tx, n):
+        scriptPubKey = bytearray(spend_tx.vout[n].scriptPubKey)
+        if (scriptPubKey[0] == OP_TRUE):  # an anyone-can-spend
+            tx.vin[0].scriptSig = CScript()
+            return
+        (sighash, err) = SignatureHash(spend_tx.vout[n].scriptPubKey, tx, 0, SIGHASH_ALL)
+        tx.vin[0].scriptSig = CScript([self.coinbase_key.sign(sighash) + bytes(bytearray([SIGHASH_ALL]))])
+
+    def create_and_sign_transaction(self, spend_tx, n, value, script=CScript([OP_TRUE])):
+        tx = self.create_tx(spend_tx, n, value, script)
+        self.sign_tx(tx, spend_tx, n)
+        tx.rehash()
+        return tx
+
+    def next_block(self, number, spend=None, additional_coinbase_value=0, script=None, extra_sigops=0, block_size=0, solve=True):
+        """
+        Create a block on top of self.tip, and advance self.tip to point to the new block
+        if spend is specified, then 1 satoshi will be spent from that to an anyone-can-spend
+        output, and rest will go to fees.
+        """
+        if self.tip == None:
+            base_block_hash = self.genesis_hash
+            # One second after the genesis block
+            block_time = 1296688602+1
+        else:
+            base_block_hash = self.tip.sha256
+            block_time = self.tip.nTime + 1
+        # First create the coinbase
+        height = self.block_heights[base_block_hash] + 1
+        coinbase = create_coinbase(height, self.coinbase_pubkey)
+        coinbase.vout[0].nValue += additional_coinbase_value
+        if (spend != None):
+            coinbase.vout[0].nValue += spend.tx.vout[spend.n].nValue - 1 # all but one satoshi to fees
+        coinbase.rehash()
+        block = create_block(base_block_hash, coinbase, block_time)
+        spendable_output = None
+        if (spend != None):
+            tx = CTransaction()
+            tx.vin.append(CTxIn(COutPoint(spend.tx.sha256, spend.n), b"", 0xffffffff))  # no signature yet
+            # This copies the java comparison tool testing behavior: the first
+            # txout has a garbage scriptPubKey, "to make sure we're not
+            # pre-verifying too much" (?)
+            tx.vout.append(CTxOut(0, CScript([random.randint(0,255), height & 255])))
+            if script == None:
+                tx.vout.append(CTxOut(1, CScript([OP_TRUE])))
+            else:
+                tx.vout.append(CTxOut(1, script))
+            spendable_output = PreviousSpendableOutput(tx, 0)
+
+            # Now sign it if necessary
+            scriptSig = b""
+            scriptPubKey = bytearray(spend.tx.vout[spend.n].scriptPubKey)
+            if (scriptPubKey[0] == OP_TRUE):  # looks like an anyone-can-spend
+                scriptSig = CScript([OP_TRUE])
+            else:
+                # We have to actually sign it
+                (sighash, err) = SignatureHash(spend.tx.vout[spend.n].scriptPubKey, tx, 0, SIGHASH_ALL)
+                scriptSig = CScript([self.coinbase_key.sign(sighash) + bytes(bytearray([SIGHASH_ALL]))])
+            tx.vin[0].scriptSig = scriptSig
+            # Now add the transaction to the block
+            self.add_transactions_to_block(block, [tx])
+            block.hashMerkleRoot = block.calc_merkle_root()
+        if spendable_output != None and block_size > 0:
+            while len(block.serialize()) < block_size:
+                tx = CTransaction()
+                script_length = block_size - len(block.serialize()) - 79
+                if script_length > 510000:
+                    script_length = 500000
+                tx_sigops = min(extra_sigops, script_length, MAX_TX_SIGOPS_COUNT)
+                extra_sigops -= tx_sigops
+                script_pad_len = script_length - tx_sigops
+                script_output = CScript([b'\x00' * script_pad_len] + [OP_CHECKSIG] * tx_sigops)
+                tx.vout.append(CTxOut(0, CScript([OP_TRUE])))
+                tx.vout.append(CTxOut(0, script_output))
+                tx.vin.append(CTxIn(COutPoint(spendable_output.tx.sha256, spendable_output.n)))
+                spendable_output = PreviousSpendableOutput(tx, 0)
+                self.add_transactions_to_block(block, [tx])
+            block.hashMerkleRoot = block.calc_merkle_root()
+            # Make sure the math above worked out to produce the correct block size
+            # (the math will fail if there are too many transactions in the block)
+            assert_equal(len(block.serialize()), block_size)
+            # Make sure all the requested sigops have been included
+            assert_equal(extra_sigops, 0)
+        if solve:
+            block.solve()
+        self.tip = block
+        self.block_heights[block.sha256] = height
+        assert number not in self.blocks
+        self.blocks[number] = block
+        return block
+
+    def get_tests(self):
+        self.genesis_hash = int(self.nodes[0].getbestblockhash(), 16)
+        self.block_heights[self.genesis_hash] = 0
+        spendable_outputs = []
+
+        # save the current tip so it can be spent by a later block
+        def save_spendable_output():
+            spendable_outputs.append(self.tip)
+
+        # get an output that we previously marked as spendable
+        def get_spendable_output():
+            return PreviousSpendableOutput(spendable_outputs.pop(0).vtx[0], 0)
+
+        # returns a test case that asserts that the current tip was accepted
+        def accepted():
+            return TestInstance([[self.tip, True]])
+
+        # returns a test case that asserts that the current tip was rejected
+        def rejected(reject = None):
+            if reject is None:
+                return TestInstance([[self.tip, False]])
+            else:
+                return TestInstance([[self.tip, reject]])
+
+        # move the tip back to a previous block
+        def tip(number):
+            self.tip = self.blocks[number]
+
+        # adds transactions to the block and updates state
+        def update_block(block_number, new_transactions):
+            block = self.blocks[block_number]
+            self.add_transactions_to_block(block, new_transactions)
+            old_sha256 = block.sha256
+            block.hashMerkleRoot = block.calc_merkle_root()
+            block.solve()
+            # Update the internal state just like in next_block
+            self.tip = block
+            if block.sha256 != old_sha256:
+                self.block_heights[block.sha256] = self.block_heights[old_sha256]
+                del self.block_heights[old_sha256]
+            self.blocks[block_number] = block
+            return block
+
+        # shorthand for functions
+        block = self.next_block
+
+        # Create a new block
+        block(0, block_size=LEGACY_MAX_BLOCK_SIZE)
+        save_spendable_output()
+        yield accepted()
+
+        # Now we need that block to mature so we can spend the coinbase.
+        test = TestInstance(sync_every_block=False)
+        for i in range(99):
+            block(5000 + i)
+            test.blocks_and_transactions.append([self.tip, True])
+            save_spendable_output()
+        yield test
+
+        # collect spendable outputs now to avoid cluttering the code later on
+        out = []
+        for i in range(100):
+            out.append(get_spendable_output())
+
+        # block up to LEGACY_MAX_BLOCK_SIZE are accepted.
+        block(1, spend=out[0], block_size=LEGACY_MAX_BLOCK_SIZE)
+        yield accepted()
+
+        # bigger block are reject as the fork isn't activated yet.
+        block(2, spend=out[1], block_size=LEGACY_MAX_BLOCK_SIZE + 1)
+        yield rejected(RejectResult(16, b'bad-blk-length'))
+
+        # Rewind bad block
+        tip(1)
+
+        # bigger block are reject as the fork isn't activated yet.
+        b03 = block(3, spend=out[1])
+        b03.nTime = HF_START_TIME
+        update_block(3, [])
+        yield accepted()
+
+        # Pile up 4 blocks on top to get to the point just before activation.
+        block(4, spend=out[2])
+        yield accepted()
+        block(5, spend=out[3])
+        yield accepted()
+        block(6, spend=out[4])
+        yield accepted()
+        block(7, spend=out[5])
+        yield accepted()
+
+        # bigger block are still reject as the fork isn't activated yet.
+        block(8, spend=out[6], block_size=LEGACY_MAX_BLOCK_SIZE + 1)
+        yield rejected(RejectResult(16, b'bad-blk-length'))
+
+        # Rewind bad block
+        tip(7)
+
+        # Pile up another block, to activate.
+        block(9, spend=out[6])
+        yield accepted()
+
+        # HF is active, now we can create bigger blocks.
+        block(10, spend=out[7], block_size=LEGACY_MAX_BLOCK_SIZE + 1)
+        yield accepted()
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    FullBlockTest().main()
diff --git a/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework/cdefs.py b/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework/cdefs.py
--- a/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework/cdefs.py
+++ b/qa/rpc-tests/test_framework/cdefs.py
@@ -43,6 +43,8 @@
 # blocks (network rule)
 COINBASE_MATURITY = 100
 
+# Time at which the HF starts.
+HF_START_TIME = 1296688602 + 10000
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     # Output values if run standalone to verify
diff --git a/src/chainparams.cpp b/src/chainparams.cpp
--- a/src/chainparams.cpp
+++ b/src/chainparams.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@
 
 #include "chainparamsseeds.h"
 
-static const int64_t HF_START_TIME = 10000;
+// 10000s after the regtest genesis block.
+static const int64_t HF_START_TIME = 1296688602 + 10000;
 static const std::string ANTI_REPLAY_COMMITMENT =
     "Placeholder for the anti replay commitment";
 
diff --git a/src/config.cpp b/src/config.cpp
--- a/src/config.cpp
+++ b/src/config.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 
 bool GlobalConfig::SetMaxBlockSize(uint64_t maxBlockSize) {
     // Do not allow maxBlockSize to be set below historic 1MB limit
-    if (maxBlockSize < ONE_MEGABYTE) {
+    if (maxBlockSize < LEGACY_MAX_BLOCK_SIZE) {
         return false;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/consensus/consensus.h b/src/consensus/consensus.h
--- a/src/consensus/consensus.h
+++ b/src/consensus/consensus.h
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 static const uint64_t ONE_MEGABYTE = 1000000;
 /** The maximum allowed size for a transaction, in bytes */
 static const uint64_t MAX_TX_SIZE = ONE_MEGABYTE;
+/** The maximum allowed size for a block, before the UAHF */
+static const uint64_t LEGACY_MAX_BLOCK_SIZE = ONE_MEGABYTE;
 /** Default setting for maximum allowed size for a block, in bytes */
 static const uint64_t DEFAULT_MAX_BLOCK_SIZE = ONE_MEGABYTE;
 /** The maximum allowed number of signature check operations per MB in a block
diff --git a/src/rpc/abc.cpp b/src/rpc/abc.cpp
--- a/src/rpc/abc.cpp
+++ b/src/rpc/abc.cpp
@@ -54,12 +54,12 @@
     }
 
     // Do not allow maxBlockSize to be set below historic 1MB limit
-    if (ebs < ONE_MEGABYTE)
+    if (ebs < LEGACY_MAX_BLOCK_SIZE)
         throw JSONRPCError(
             RPC_INVALID_PARAMETER,
             std::string(
                 "Invalid parameter, excessiveblock must be larger than ") +
-                std::to_string(ONE_MEGABYTE));
+                std::to_string(LEGACY_MAX_BLOCK_SIZE));
 
     // Set the new max block size.
     if (!config.SetMaxBlockSize(ebs)) {
diff --git a/src/validation.cpp b/src/validation.cpp
--- a/src/validation.cpp
+++ b/src/validation.cpp
@@ -595,6 +595,11 @@
     return true;
 }
 
+static bool IsUAHFenabled(const Consensus::Params &consensusParams,
+                          int64_t nMedianPastTime) {
+    return nMedianPastTime >= consensusParams.hfStartTime;
+}
+
 static bool AcceptToMemoryPoolWorker(
     const Config &config, CTxMemPool &pool, CValidationState &state,
     const CTransactionRef &ptx, bool fLimitFree, bool *pfMissingInputs,
@@ -1098,10 +1103,9 @@
     std::string strCmd = GetArg("-alertnotify", "");
     if (strCmd.empty()) return;
 
-    // Alert text should be plain ascii coming from a trusted source, but to
-    // be safe we first strip anything not in safeChars, then add single quotes
-    // around
-    // the whole string before passing it to the shell:
+    // Alert text should be plain ascii coming from a trusted source, but to be
+    // safe we first strip anything not in safeChars, then add single quotes
+    // around the whole string before passing it to the shell:
     std::string singleQuote("'");
     std::string safeStatus = SanitizeString(strMessage);
     safeStatus = singleQuote + safeStatus + singleQuote;
@@ -1118,8 +1122,7 @@
     if (IsInitialBlockDownload()) return;
 
     // If our best fork is no longer within 72 blocks (+/- 12 hours if no one
-    // mines it)
-    // of our head, drop it
+    // mines it) of our head, drop it
     if (pindexBestForkTip &&
         chainActive.Height() - pindexBestForkTip->nHeight >= 72)
         pindexBestForkTip = NULL;
@@ -1826,6 +1829,24 @@
         nLockTimeFlags |= LOCKTIME_VERIFY_SEQUENCE;
     }
 
+    // Sigops counting. We need to do it again because of P2SH.
+    uint64_t nSigOpsCount = 0;
+    const uint64_t currentBlockSize =
+        ::GetSerializeSize(block, SER_NETWORK, PROTOCOL_VERSION);
+    const uint64_t nMaxSigOpsCount = GetMaxBlockSigOpsCount(currentBlockSize);
+
+    // Check if UAHF is enabled and act accordingly.
+    int64_t nPrevMedianPastTime = pindex->pprev->GetMedianTimePast();
+    bool uahfEnabled =
+        IsUAHFenabled(chainparams.GetConsensus(), nPrevMedianPastTime);
+
+    // When UAHF is not enabled, block cannot be bigger than
+    // LEGACY_MAX_BLOCK_SIZE .
+    if (!uahfEnabled && currentBlockSize > LEGACY_MAX_BLOCK_SIZE) {
+        return state.DoS(100, false, REJECT_INVALID, "bad-blk-length", false,
+                         "size limits failed");
+    }
+
     int64_t nTime2 = GetTimeMicros();
     nTimeForks += nTime2 - nTime1;
     LogPrint("bench", "    - Fork checks: %.2fms [%.2fs]\n",
@@ -1840,12 +1861,6 @@
     CAmount nFees = 0;
     int nInputs = 0;
 
-    // Sigops counting. We need to do it again because of P2SH.
-    uint64_t nSigOpsCount = 0;
-    auto currentBlockSize =
-        ::GetSerializeSize(block, SER_NETWORK, PROTOCOL_VERSION);
-    auto nMaxSigOpsCount = GetMaxBlockSigOpsCount(currentBlockSize);
-
     CDiskTxPos pos(pindex->GetBlockPos(),
                    GetSizeOfCompactSize(block.vtx.size()));
     std::vector<std::pair<uint256, CDiskTxPos>> vPos;
@@ -3173,7 +3188,7 @@
                          "non-final transaction");
     }
 
-    if (nMedianPastTime >= consensusParams.hfStartTime &&
+    if (IsUAHFenabled(consensusParams, nMedianPastTime) &&
         nHeight <= consensusParams.antiReplayOpReturnSunsetHeight) {
         for (const CTxOut &o : tx.vout) {
             if (o.scriptPubKey.IsCommitment(