diff --git a/cli/src/commands/start.rs b/cli/src/commands/start.rs
index 8e2e510b58..7dc7b12c01 100644
--- a/cli/src/commands/start.rs
+++ b/cli/src/commands/start.rs
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ use std::{
     sync::{Arc, atomic::AtomicBool},
 };
 use tokio::{
-    runtime::{self, Runtime},
+    runtime::{self, Handle, Runtime},
     sync::mpsc,
     task,
 };
@@ -323,7 +323,9 @@ impl Start {
         }
 
         // Initialize the runtime.
-        Self::runtime().block_on(async move {
+        let runtime = Self::runtime();
+        let handle = runtime.handle().clone();
+        runtime.block_on(async move {
             // Error messages.
             let node_parse_error = || "Failed to start node";
 
@@ -332,9 +334,15 @@ impl Start {
 
             // Parse the node arguments, start it, and block until shutdown.
             match self_.network {
-                MainnetV0::ID => self_.parse_node::<MainnetV0>(log_receiver).await.with_context(node_parse_error)?,
-                TestnetV0::ID => self_.parse_node::<TestnetV0>(log_receiver).await.with_context(node_parse_error)?,
-                CanaryV0::ID => self_.parse_node::<CanaryV0>(log_receiver).await.with_context(node_parse_error)?,
+                MainnetV0::ID => {
+                    self_.parse_node::<MainnetV0>(handle, log_receiver).await.with_context(node_parse_error)?
+                }
+                TestnetV0::ID => {
+                    self_.parse_node::<TestnetV0>(handle, log_receiver).await.with_context(node_parse_error)?
+                }
+                CanaryV0::ID => {
+                    self_.parse_node::<CanaryV0>(handle, log_receiver).await.with_context(node_parse_error)?
+                }
                 _ => panic!("Invalid network ID specified"),
             };
 
@@ -665,7 +673,7 @@ impl Start {
 
     /// Start the node and blocks until it terminates.
     #[rustfmt::skip]
-    async fn parse_node<N: Network>(&mut self, log_receiver: mpsc::Receiver<Vec<u8>>) -> Result<()> {
+    async fn parse_node<N: Network>(&mut self, handle: Handle, log_receiver: mpsc::Receiver<Vec<u8>>) -> Result<()> {
         if !self.nobanner {
             // Print the welcome banner.
             println!("{}", crate::helpers::welcome_message());
@@ -842,7 +850,7 @@ impl Start {
         }
 
         // Register the signal handler.
-        let signal_handler = SignalHandler::new();
+        let signal_handler = SignalHandler::new(Some(handle));
 
         // Initialize the node.
         let node = match node_type {
diff --git a/node/bft/ledger-service/src/ledger.rs b/node/bft/ledger-service/src/ledger.rs
index 405cafabc1..a2baa63931 100644
--- a/node/bft/ledger-service/src/ledger.rs
+++ b/node/bft/ledger-service/src/ledger.rs
@@ -474,4 +474,8 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> LedgerService<N> for CoreLedgerService<
             }
         }
     }
+
+    fn is_stopped(&self) -> bool {
+        self.stoppable.is_stopped()
+    }
 }
diff --git a/node/bft/ledger-service/src/mock.rs b/node/bft/ledger-service/src/mock.rs
index 70408704bd..c448de6205 100644
--- a/node/bft/ledger-service/src/mock.rs
+++ b/node/bft/ledger-service/src/mock.rs
@@ -235,4 +235,9 @@ impl<N: Network> LedgerService<N> for MockLedgerService<N> {
         let height = N::CONSENSUS_HEIGHT(consensus_version).unwrap();
         Ok(consensus_config_value!(N, TRANSACTION_SPEND_LIMIT, height).unwrap())
     }
+
+    fn is_stopped(&self) -> bool {
+        // No ledger to check against.
+        false
+    }
 }
diff --git a/node/bft/ledger-service/src/prover.rs b/node/bft/ledger-service/src/prover.rs
index 4493ac365d..e579caccaa 100644
--- a/node/bft/ledger-service/src/prover.rs
+++ b/node/bft/ledger-service/src/prover.rs
@@ -190,4 +190,9 @@ impl<N: Network> LedgerService<N> for ProverLedgerService<N> {
     ) -> Result<u64> {
         bail!("Cannot compute spent_cost in prover")
     }
+
+    fn is_stopped(&self) -> bool {
+        // No ledger to check against.
+        false
+    }
 }
diff --git a/node/bft/ledger-service/src/traits.rs b/node/bft/ledger-service/src/traits.rs
index 7ab4a238eb..6215cb25ca 100644
--- a/node/bft/ledger-service/src/traits.rs
+++ b/node/bft/ledger-service/src/traits.rs
@@ -160,4 +160,6 @@ pub trait LedgerService<N: Network>: std::fmt::Debug + Send + Sync {
         transaction: &Transaction<N>,
         consensus_version: ConsensusVersion,
     ) -> Result<u64>;
+
+    fn is_stopped(&self) -> bool;
 }
diff --git a/node/bft/ledger-service/src/translucent.rs b/node/bft/ledger-service/src/translucent.rs
index e2c5249730..c9c6f02fd0 100644
--- a/node/bft/ledger-service/src/translucent.rs
+++ b/node/bft/ledger-service/src/translucent.rs
@@ -200,4 +200,8 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> LedgerService<N> for TranslucentLedgerS
     ) -> Result<u64> {
         self.inner.transaction_spend_in_microcredits(transaction, consensus_version)
     }
+
+    fn is_stopped(&self) -> bool {
+        self.inner.is_stopped()
+    }
 }
diff --git a/node/bft/src/primary.rs b/node/bft/src/primary.rs
index eaa428802f..fea1522b57 100644
--- a/node/bft/src/primary.rs
+++ b/node/bft/src/primary.rs
@@ -2015,6 +2015,8 @@ impl<N: Network> Primary<N> {
         info!("Shutting down the primary...");
         // Remove the callback.
         self.primary_callback.clear();
+        // Shut down the sync service.
+        self.sync.shut_down().await;
         // Shut down the workers.
         self.workers().iter().for_each(|worker| worker.shut_down());
         // Abort the tasks.
diff --git a/node/bft/src/worker.rs b/node/bft/src/worker.rs
index e20d7d9eeb..599c16d0b7 100644
--- a/node/bft/src/worker.rs
+++ b/node/bft/src/worker.rs
@@ -676,6 +676,7 @@ mod tests {
             fn check_block_subdag(&self, _block: Block<N>, _prefix: &[PendingBlock<N>]) -> Result<PendingBlock<N>, CheckBlockError<N>>;
             fn begin_ledger_update<'a>(&'a self) -> Result<Box<dyn LedgerUpdateService<N> + 'a>, BeginLedgerUpdateError>;
             fn transaction_spend_in_microcredits(&self, transaction: &Transaction<N>, consensus_version: ConsensusVersion) -> Result<u64>;
+            fn is_stopped(&self) -> bool;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/node/rest/src/lib.rs b/node/rest/src/lib.rs
index fb96cb492d..fa4bd1e2cd 100644
--- a/node/rest/src/lib.rs
+++ b/node/rest/src/lib.rs
@@ -131,6 +131,11 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>, R: Routing<N>> Rest<N, C, R> {
     pub const fn handles(&self) -> &Arc<Mutex<Vec<JoinHandle<()>>>> {
         &self.handles
     }
+
+    /// Shuts down the REST instance.
+    pub fn shut_down(&self) {
+        self.handles.lock().iter().for_each(|handle| handle.abort());
+    }
 }
 
 impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>, R: Routing<N>> Rest<N, C, R> {
diff --git a/node/router/src/lib.rs b/node/router/src/lib.rs
index d527322c6a..98c9942cc8 100644
--- a/node/router/src/lib.rs
+++ b/node/router/src/lib.rs
@@ -238,6 +238,11 @@ impl<N: Network> Router<N> {
         &self.cache
     }
 
+    /// Returns a reference to the ledger.
+    pub fn ledger(&self) -> &Arc<dyn LedgerService<N>> {
+        &self.ledger
+    }
+
     /// Returns `true` if the node is only engaging with trusted peers.
     pub fn trusted_peers_only(&self) -> bool {
         self.trusted_peers_only
diff --git a/node/src/client/mod.rs b/node/src/client/mod.rs
index 0ee4b42350..26c312a5e0 100644
--- a/node/src/client/mod.rs
+++ b/node/src/client/mod.rs
@@ -544,6 +544,12 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> NodeInterface<N> for Client<N, C> {
         // Shut down the node.
         trace!("Shutting down the node...");
 
+        // Shut down the REST instance.
+        if let Some(rest) = &self.rest {
+            trace!("Shutting down the REST server...");
+            rest.shut_down();
+        }
+
         // Abort the tasks.
         trace!("Shutting down the client...");
         self.handles.lock().iter().for_each(|handle| handle.abort());
diff --git a/node/src/traits.rs b/node/src/traits.rs
index dd043b7f44..cbde673213 100644
--- a/node/src/traits.rs
+++ b/node/src/traits.rs
@@ -15,11 +15,12 @@
 
 use snarkos_node_network::{NodeType, PeerPoolHandling};
 use snarkos_node_router::Routing;
-
 use snarkos_utilities::SignalHandler;
-
 use snarkvm::prelude::{Address, Network, PrivateKey, ViewKey};
 
+use std::time::Duration;
+use tokio::time::sleep;
+
 #[async_trait]
 pub trait NodeInterface<N: Network>: Routing<N> {
     /// Returns the node type.
@@ -53,6 +54,17 @@ pub trait NodeInterface<N: Network>: Routing<N> {
 
         // If the node is already initialized, then shut it down.
         self.shut_down().await;
+
+        // Allow a bit of time for the tasks to wind down.
+        sleep(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
+
+        // Check if there are any stragglers left.
+        if let Some(handle) = &handler.handle {
+            let live_tasks = handle.metrics().num_alive_tasks();
+            if live_tasks != 0 {
+                error!("There are still {live_tasks} live tasks");
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     /// Shuts down the node.
diff --git a/node/src/validator/mod.rs b/node/src/validator/mod.rs
index fbbf78b13d..ff10bd5f65 100644
--- a/node/src/validator/mod.rs
+++ b/node/src/validator/mod.rs
@@ -469,6 +469,12 @@ impl<N: Network, C: ConsensusStorage<N>> NodeInterface<N> for Validator<N, C> {
         // Shut down the node.
         trace!("Shutting down the node...");
 
+        // Shut down the REST instance.
+        if let Some(rest) = &self.rest {
+            trace!("Shutting down the REST server...");
+            rest.shut_down();
+        }
+
         // Abort the tasks.
         trace!("Shutting down the validator...");
         self.handles.lock().iter().for_each(|handle| handle.abort());
@@ -539,7 +545,7 @@ mod tests {
             false,
             dev_txs,
             None,
-            SignalHandler::new(),
+            SignalHandler::new(None),
         )
         .await
         .unwrap();
diff --git a/node/sync/src/ping.rs b/node/sync/src/ping.rs
index 5049ea69b6..db78957869 100644
--- a/node/sync/src/ping.rs
+++ b/node/sync/src/ping.rs
@@ -73,11 +73,11 @@ impl<N: Network> Ping<N> {
 
         {
             let inner = inner.clone();
-            let router = router.clone();
+            let router_ = router.clone();
             let notify = notify.clone();
 
-            tokio::spawn(async move {
-                Self::ping_task(&inner, &router, &notify).await;
+            router.spawn(async move {
+                Self::ping_task(&inner, &router_, &notify).await;
             });
         }
 
@@ -92,11 +92,11 @@ impl<N: Network> Ping<N> {
 
         {
             let inner = inner.clone();
-            let router = router.clone();
+            let router_ = router.clone();
             let notify = notify.clone();
 
-            tokio::spawn(async move {
-                Self::ping_task(&inner, &router, &notify).await;
+            router.spawn(async move {
+                Self::ping_task(&inner, &router_, &notify).await;
             });
         }
 
@@ -135,6 +135,10 @@ impl<N: Network> Ping<N> {
         let mut new_block = false;
 
         loop {
+            if router.ledger().is_stopped() {
+                break;
+            }
+
             // Do not hold the lock while waiting.
             let sleep_time = {
                 let mut inner = inner.lock();
diff --git a/node/tests/common/node.rs b/node/tests/common/node.rs
index 44485fa03b..9a0fe3afc4 100644
--- a/node/tests/common/node.rs
+++ b/node/tests/common/node.rs
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ pub async fn client() -> Client<CurrentNetwork, ConsensusMemory<CurrentNetwork>>
         NodeDataDir::new_test(None),
         false, // Connect to untrusted peers.
         None,
-        SignalHandler::new(),
+        SignalHandler::new(None),
     )
     .await
     .expect("couldn't create client instance")
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ pub async fn prover() -> Prover<CurrentNetwork, ConsensusMemory<CurrentNetwork>>
         NodeDataDir::new_test(None),
         false,
         None,
-        SignalHandler::new(),
+        SignalHandler::new(None),
     )
     .await
     .expect("couldn't create prover instance")
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ pub async fn validator() -> Validator<CurrentNetwork, ConsensusMemory<CurrentNet
         false, // This test requires validators to connect to peers.
         false, // No dev traffic in production mode.
         None,
-        SignalHandler::new(),
+        SignalHandler::new(None),
     )
     .await
     .expect("couldn't create validator instance")
diff --git a/utilities/src/signals.rs b/utilities/src/signals.rs
index 3834299938..580daffc84 100644
--- a/utilities/src/signals.rs
+++ b/utilities/src/signals.rs
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ use std::sync::{
     atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering},
 };
 
-use tokio::sync::oneshot;
+use tokio::{runtime::Handle, sync::oneshot};
 
 use tracing::{debug, error, trace};
 
@@ -71,15 +71,19 @@ pub struct SignalHandler {
 
     /// This receiver is used to wait for the node to be stopped.
     stopped_receiver: Mutex<Option<oneshot::Receiver<()>>>,
+
+    /// An optional tokio runtime handle.
+    pub handle: Option<Handle>,
 }
 
 impl SignalHandler {
     /// Spawns a background tasks that listens for Ctrl+C and returns `Self`.
-    pub fn new() -> Arc<Self> {
+    pub fn new(handle: Option<Handle>) -> Arc<Self> {
         let (stopped_sender, stopped_receiver) = oneshot::channel();
         let obj = Arc::new(Self {
             stopped_sender: RwLock::new(Some(stopped_sender)),
             stopped_receiver: Mutex::new(Some(stopped_receiver)),
+            handle,
         });
 
         {