diff --git a/.github/workflows/monitor_requirements_size_master.yml b/.github/workflows/monitor_requirements_size_master.yml
index 1cebb907e6..af87292257 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/monitor_requirements_size_master.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/monitor_requirements_size_master.yml
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ on:
 permissions:
   pull-requests: write
   contents: read
+  issues: write
 
 jobs:
   read-python-versions:
diff --git a/bittensor/core/metagraph.py b/bittensor/core/metagraph.py
index 633c139ea8..44f4a033c1 100644
--- a/bittensor/core/metagraph.py
+++ b/bittensor/core/metagraph.py
@@ -1391,7 +1391,7 @@ async def sync(
         await self._apply_extra_info(block=block)
 
     async def _initialize_subtensor(
-        self, subtensor: "AsyncSubtensor"
+        self, subtensor: Optional["AsyncSubtensor"]
     ) -> "AsyncSubtensor":
         """
         Initializes the subtensor to be used for syncing the metagraph.
@@ -1422,8 +1422,8 @@ async def _initialize_subtensor(
             # Lazy import due to circular import (subtensor -> metagraph, metagraph -> subtensor)
             from bittensor.core.async_subtensor import AsyncSubtensor
 
-            self.subtensor = AsyncSubtensor(network=self.chain_endpoint)
-            await self.subtensor.initialize()
+            subtensor = AsyncSubtensor(network=self.chain_endpoint)
+            await subtensor.initialize()
             self.subtensor = subtensor
         return subtensor
 
@@ -1720,7 +1720,7 @@ def sync(
         # apply MetagraphInfo data to instance
         self._apply_extra_info(block=block)
 
-    def _initialize_subtensor(self, subtensor: "Subtensor") -> "Subtensor":
+    def _initialize_subtensor(self, subtensor: Optional["Subtensor"]) -> "Subtensor":
         """
         Initializes the subtensor to be used for syncing the metagraph.
 
@@ -1939,6 +1939,17 @@ async def async_metagraph(
 ) -> "AsyncMetagraph":
     """
     Factory function to create an instantiated AsyncMetagraph, mainly for the ability to use sync at instantiation.
+
+    Parameters:
+        netuid: The netuid of the subnet for which to create the AsyncMetagraph.
+        mechid: The mechid of the subnet for which to create the AsyncMetagraph.
+        network: The network to use for the AsyncMetagraph.
+        lite: Whether to use a lite version of the AsyncMetagraph.
+        sync: Whether to sync the AsyncMetagraph.
+        subtensor: The subtensor to use for the AsyncMetagraph.
+
+    Returns:
+        AsyncMetagraph: The instantiated AsyncMetagraph.
     """
     metagraph_ = AsyncMetagraph(
         netuid=netuid,
diff --git a/bittensor/utils/__init__.py b/bittensor/utils/__init__.py
index 419e00b79b..1dd9fd205c 100644
--- a/bittensor/utils/__init__.py
+++ b/bittensor/utils/__init__.py
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ def strtobool(val: str) -> Union[bool, Literal["==SUPRESS=="]]:
 
 def _get_explorer_root_url_by_network_from_map(
     network: str, network_map: dict[str, dict[str, str]]
-) -> Optional[dict[str, str]]:
+) -> dict[str, str]:
     """
     Returns the explorer root url for the given network name from the given network map.
 
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ def _get_explorer_root_url_by_network_from_map(
     Returns:
         The explorer url for the given network. Or None if the network is not in the network map.
     """
-    explorer_urls: Optional[dict[str, str]] = {}
+    explorer_urls: dict[str, str] = {}
     for entity_nm, entity_network_map in network_map.items():
         if network in entity_network_map:
             explorer_urls[entity_nm] = entity_network_map[network]
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ def _get_explorer_root_url_by_network_from_map(
 
 def get_explorer_url_for_network(
     network: str, block_hash: str, network_map: dict[str, dict[str, str]]
-) -> Optional[dict[str, str]]:
+) -> dict[str, str]:
     """
     Returns the explorer url for the given block hash and network.
 
@@ -174,10 +174,10 @@ def get_explorer_url_for_network(
         The explorer url for the given block hash and network. Or None if the network is not known.
     """
 
-    explorer_urls: Optional[dict[str, str]] = {}
-    # Will be None if the network is not known. i.e. not in network_map
-    explorer_root_urls: Optional[dict[str, str]] = (
-        _get_explorer_root_url_by_network_from_map(network, network_map)
+    explorer_urls: dict[str, str] = {}
+
+    explorer_root_urls: dict[str, str] = _get_explorer_root_url_by_network_from_map(
+        network, network_map
     )
 
     if explorer_root_urls != {}:
diff --git a/tests/e2e_tests/test_liquidity.py b/tests/e2e_tests/test_liquidity.py
index 3408b5ab22..674278ef14 100644
--- a/tests/e2e_tests/test_liquidity.py
+++ b/tests/e2e_tests/test_liquidity.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 )
 
 
+@pytest.mark.skip("Skips user liquidity e2e test pending the rework")
 def test_liquidity(subtensor, alice_wallet, bob_wallet):
     """
     Tests the liquidity mechanism
@@ -281,6 +282,7 @@ def test_liquidity(subtensor, alice_wallet, bob_wallet):
     logging.console.info("✅ Passed [blue]test_liquidity[/blue]")
 
 
+@pytest.mark.skip("Skips user liquidity e2e test pending the rework")
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_liquidity_async(async_subtensor, alice_wallet, bob_wallet):
     """
diff --git a/tests/helpers/__init__.py b/tests/helpers/__init__.py
index 9097d72d70..7aed5c7ad3 100644
--- a/tests/helpers/__init__.py
+++ b/tests/helpers/__init__.py
@@ -9,8 +9,3 @@
     get_mock_keypair,
     get_mock_wallet,
 )
-
-
-def is_running_in_circleci():
-    """Checks that tests are running in the app.circleci.com environment."""
-    return os.getenv("CIRCLECI") == "true"