diff --git a/internal/data/accounts_test.go b/internal/data/accounts_test.go
index f34b35f3..2e1abd43 100644
--- a/internal/data/accounts_test.go
+++ b/internal/data/accounts_test.go
@@ -327,7 +327,9 @@ func TestAccountModelBatchGetByOperationIDs(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Insert test operations (IDs don't need to be in TOID range here since we're just testing operations_accounts links)
-	_, err = m.DB.ExecContext(ctx, "INSERT INTO operations (id, operation_type, operation_xdr, result_code, successful, ledger_number, ledger_created_at) VALUES ($1, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr1', 'op_success', true, 1, NOW()), ($2, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr2', 'op_success', true, 2, NOW())", operationID1, operationID2)
+	xdr1 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr1"))
+	xdr2 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr2"))
+	_, err = m.DB.ExecContext(ctx, "INSERT INTO operations (id, operation_type, operation_xdr, result_code, successful, ledger_number, ledger_created_at) VALUES ($1, 'PAYMENT', $3, 'op_success', true, 1, NOW()), ($2, 'PAYMENT', $4, 'op_success', true, 2, NOW())", operationID1, operationID2, xdr1, xdr2)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Insert test operations_accounts links (account_id is BYTEA)
@@ -422,7 +424,9 @@ func TestAccountModelBatchGetByStateChangeIDs(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Insert test operations (IDs must be in TOID range for each transaction)
-	_, err = m.DB.ExecContext(ctx, "INSERT INTO operations (id, operation_type, operation_xdr, result_code, successful, ledger_number, ledger_created_at) VALUES (4097, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr1', 'op_success', true, 1, NOW()), (8193, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr2', 'op_success', true, 2, NOW())")
+	xdr1 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr1"))
+	xdr2 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr2"))
+	_, err = m.DB.ExecContext(ctx, "INSERT INTO operations (id, operation_type, operation_xdr, result_code, successful, ledger_number, ledger_created_at) VALUES (4097, 'PAYMENT', $1, 'op_success', true, 1, NOW()), (8193, 'PAYMENT', $2, 'op_success', true, 2, NOW())", xdr1, xdr2)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Insert test state changes that reference the accounts (state_changes.account_id is TEXT)
diff --git a/internal/data/operations.go b/internal/data/operations.go
index d8f92e8e..2d862bd3 100644
--- a/internal/data/operations.go
+++ b/internal/data/operations.go
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ func (m *OperationModel) BatchInsert(
 	// 1. Flatten the operations into parallel slices
 	ids := make([]int64, len(operations))
 	operationTypes := make([]string, len(operations))
-	operationXDRs := make([]string, len(operations))
+	operationXDRs := make([][]byte, len(operations))
 	resultCodes := make([]string, len(operations))
 	successfulFlags := make([]bool, len(operations))
 	ledgerNumbers := make([]uint32, len(operations))
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ func (m *OperationModel) BatchInsert(
 	for i, op := range operations {
 		ids[i] = op.ID
 		operationTypes[i] = string(op.OperationType)
-		operationXDRs[i] = op.OperationXDR
+		operationXDRs[i] = []byte(op.OperationXDR)
 		resultCodes[i] = op.ResultCode
 		successfulFlags[i] = op.Successful
 		ledgerNumbers[i] = op.LedgerNumber
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ func (m *OperationModel) BatchInsert(
 			SELECT
 				UNNEST($1::bigint[]) AS id,
 				UNNEST($2::text[]) AS operation_type,
-				UNNEST($3::text[]) AS operation_xdr,
+				UNNEST($3::bytea[]) AS operation_xdr,
 				UNNEST($4::text[]) AS result_code,
 				UNNEST($5::boolean[]) AS successful,
 				UNNEST($6::bigint[]) AS ledger_number,
@@ -418,7 +418,7 @@ func (m *OperationModel) BatchCopy(
 			return []any{
 				pgtype.Int8{Int64: op.ID, Valid: true},
 				pgtype.Text{String: string(op.OperationType), Valid: true},
-				pgtype.Text{String: op.OperationXDR, Valid: true},
+				[]byte(op.OperationXDR),
 				pgtype.Text{String: op.ResultCode, Valid: true},
 				pgtype.Bool{Bool: op.Successful, Valid: true},
 				pgtype.Int4{Int32: int32(op.LedgerNumber), Valid: true},
diff --git a/internal/data/operations_test.go b/internal/data/operations_test.go
index 36420617..40a5181e 100644
--- a/internal/data/operations_test.go
+++ b/internal/data/operations_test.go
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func generateTestOperations(n int, startID int64) ([]*types.Operation, map[int64
 		ops[i] = &types.Operation{
 			ID:              opID,
 			OperationType:   types.OperationTypePayment,
-			OperationXDR:    fmt.Sprintf("operation_xdr_%d", i),
+			OperationXDR:    types.XDRBytea([]byte(fmt.Sprintf("operation_xdr_%d", i))),
 			LedgerNumber:    uint32(i + 1),
 			LedgerCreatedAt: now,
 		}
@@ -101,13 +101,13 @@ func Test_OperationModel_BatchInsert(t *testing.T) {
 	op1 := types.Operation{
 		ID:              4097, // in range (4096, 8192)
 		OperationType:   types.OperationTypePayment,
-		OperationXDR:    "operation1",
+		OperationXDR:    types.XDRBytea([]byte("operation1")),
 		LedgerCreatedAt: now,
 	}
 	op2 := types.Operation{
 		ID:              8193, // in range (8192, 12288)
 		OperationType:   types.OperationTypeCreateAccount,
-		OperationXDR:    "operation2",
+		OperationXDR:    types.XDRBytea([]byte("operation2")),
 		LedgerCreatedAt: now,
 	}
 
@@ -288,13 +288,13 @@ func Test_OperationModel_BatchCopy(t *testing.T) {
 	op1 := types.Operation{
 		ID:              4097, // in range (4096, 8192)
 		OperationType:   types.OperationTypePayment,
-		OperationXDR:    "operation1",
+		OperationXDR:    types.XDRBytea([]byte("operation1")),
 		LedgerCreatedAt: now,
 	}
 	op2 := types.Operation{
 		ID:              8193, // in range (8192, 12288)
 		OperationType:   types.OperationTypeCreateAccount,
-		OperationXDR:    "operation2",
+		OperationXDR:    types.XDRBytea([]byte("operation2")),
 		LedgerCreatedAt: now,
 	}
 
@@ -432,7 +432,7 @@ func Test_OperationModel_BatchCopy_DuplicateFails(t *testing.T) {
 	op1 := types.Operation{
 		ID:              999,
 		OperationType:   types.OperationTypePayment,
-		OperationXDR:    "operation_xdr_dup_test",
+		OperationXDR:    types.XDRBytea([]byte("operation_xdr_dup_test")),
 		LedgerNumber:    1,
 		LedgerCreatedAt: now,
 	}
@@ -516,13 +516,16 @@ func TestOperationModel_GetAll(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Create test operations (IDs must be in TOID range for each transaction: (to_id, to_id + 4096))
+	xdr1 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr1"))
+	xdr2 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr2"))
+	xdr3 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr3"))
 	_, err = dbConnectionPool.ExecContext(ctx, `
 		INSERT INTO operations (id, operation_type, operation_xdr, result_code, successful, ledger_number, ledger_created_at)
 		VALUES
-			(2, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr1', 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
-			(4098, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', 'xdr2', 'op_success', true, 2, $1),
-			(8194, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr3', 'op_success', true, 3, $1)
-	`, now)
+			(2, 'PAYMENT', $2, 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
+			(4098, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', $3, 'op_success', true, 2, $1),
+			(8194, 'PAYMENT', $4, 'op_success', true, 3, $1)
+	`, now, xdr1, xdr2, xdr3)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Test GetAll without limit (gets all operations)
@@ -571,16 +574,22 @@ func TestOperationModel_BatchGetByToIDs(t *testing.T) {
 	// For tx1 (to_id=4096): ops 4097, 4098, 4099
 	// For tx2 (to_id=8192): ops 8193, 8194
 	// For tx3 (to_id=12288): op 12289
+	xdr1 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr1"))
+	xdr2 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr2"))
+	xdr3 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr3"))
+	xdr4 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr4"))
+	xdr5 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr5"))
+	xdr6 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr6"))
 	_, err = dbConnectionPool.ExecContext(ctx, `
 		INSERT INTO operations (id, operation_type, operation_xdr, result_code, successful, ledger_number, ledger_created_at)
 		VALUES
-			(4097, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr1', 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
-			(8193, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', 'xdr2', 'op_success', true, 2, $1),
-			(4098, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr3', 'op_success', true, 3, $1),
-			(4099, 'MANAGE_SELL_OFFER', 'xdr4', 'op_success', true, 4, $1),
-			(8194, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr5', 'op_success', true, 5, $1),
-			(12289, 'CHANGE_TRUST', 'xdr6', 'op_success', true, 6, $1)
-	`, now)
+			(4097, 'PAYMENT', $2, 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
+			(8193, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', $3, 'op_success', true, 2, $1),
+			(4098, 'PAYMENT', $4, 'op_success', true, 3, $1),
+			(4099, 'MANAGE_SELL_OFFER', $5, 'op_success', true, 4, $1),
+			(8194, 'PAYMENT', $6, 'op_success', true, 5, $1),
+			(12289, 'CHANGE_TRUST', $7, 'op_success', true, 6, $1)
+	`, now, xdr1, xdr2, xdr3, xdr4, xdr5, xdr6)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	testCases := []struct {
@@ -762,21 +771,24 @@ func TestOperationModel_BatchGetByToID(t *testing.T) {
 	// Create test operations - IDs must be in TOID range for each transaction
 	// For tx1 (to_id=4096): ops 4097, 4098
 	// For tx2 (to_id=8192): op 8193
+	xdr1 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr1"))
+	xdr2 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr2"))
+	xdr3 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr3"))
 	_, err = dbConnectionPool.ExecContext(ctx, `
 		INSERT INTO operations (id, operation_type, operation_xdr, result_code, successful, ledger_number, ledger_created_at)
 		VALUES
-			(4097, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr1', 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
-			(8193, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', 'xdr2', 'op_success', true, 2, $1),
-			(4098, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr3', 'op_success', true, 3, $1)
-	`, now)
+			(4097, 'PAYMENT', $2, 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
+			(8193, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', $3, 'op_success', true, 2, $1),
+			(4098, 'PAYMENT', $4, 'op_success', true, 3, $1)
+	`, now, xdr1, xdr2, xdr3)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Test BatchGetByToID
 	operations, err := m.BatchGetByToID(ctx, 4096, "", nil, nil, ASC)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	assert.Len(t, operations, 2)
-	assert.Equal(t, "xdr1", operations[0].OperationXDR)
-	assert.Equal(t, "xdr3", operations[1].OperationXDR)
+	assert.Equal(t, xdr1.String(), operations[0].OperationXDR.String())
+	assert.Equal(t, xdr3.String(), operations[1].OperationXDR.String())
 }
 
 func TestOperationModel_BatchGetByAccountAddresses(t *testing.T) {
@@ -819,13 +831,16 @@ func TestOperationModel_BatchGetByAccountAddresses(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Create test operations (IDs must be in TOID range for each transaction)
+	xdr1 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr1"))
+	xdr2 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr2"))
+	xdr3 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr3"))
 	_, err = dbConnectionPool.ExecContext(ctx, `
 		INSERT INTO operations (id, operation_type, operation_xdr, result_code, successful, ledger_number, ledger_created_at)
 		VALUES
-			(4097, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr1', 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
-			(8193, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', 'xdr2', 'op_success', true, 2, $1),
-			(12289, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr3', 'op_success', true, 3, $1)
-	`, now)
+			(4097, 'PAYMENT', $2, 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
+			(8193, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', $3, 'op_success', true, 2, $1),
+			(12289, 'PAYMENT', $4, 'op_success', true, 3, $1)
+	`, now, xdr1, xdr2, xdr3)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Create test operations_accounts links
@@ -868,12 +883,14 @@ func TestOperationModel_GetByID(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Create test operations (IDs must be in TOID range for each transaction)
+	opXdr1 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr1"))
+	opXdr2 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr2"))
 	_, err = dbConnectionPool.ExecContext(ctx, `
 		INSERT INTO operations (id, operation_type, operation_xdr, result_code, successful, ledger_number, ledger_created_at)
 		VALUES
-			(4097, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr1', 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
-			(8193, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', 'xdr2', 'op_success', true, 2, $1)
-	`, now)
+			(4097, 'PAYMENT', $2, 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
+			(8193, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', $3, 'op_success', true, 2, $1)
+	`, now, opXdr1, opXdr2)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	mockMetricsService := metrics.NewMockMetricsService()
@@ -889,7 +906,7 @@ func TestOperationModel_GetByID(t *testing.T) {
 	operation, err := m.GetByID(ctx, 4097, "")
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, int64(4097), operation.ID)
-	assert.Equal(t, "xdr1", operation.OperationXDR)
+	assert.Equal(t, opXdr1.String(), operation.OperationXDR.String())
 	assert.Equal(t, uint32(1), operation.LedgerNumber)
 	assert.WithinDuration(t, now, operation.LedgerCreatedAt, time.Second)
 }
@@ -934,13 +951,16 @@ func TestOperationModel_BatchGetByStateChangeIDs(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Create test operations (IDs must be in TOID range for each transaction)
+	xdr1 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr1"))
+	xdr2 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr2"))
+	xdr3 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr3"))
 	_, err = dbConnectionPool.ExecContext(ctx, `
 		INSERT INTO operations (id, operation_type, operation_xdr, result_code, successful, ledger_number, ledger_created_at)
 		VALUES
-			(4097, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr1', 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
-			(8193, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', 'xdr2', 'op_success', true, 2, $1),
-			(12289, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr3', 'op_success', true, 3, $1)
-	`, now)
+			(4097, 'PAYMENT', $2, 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
+			(8193, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', $3, 'op_success', true, 2, $1),
+			(12289, 'PAYMENT', $4, 'op_success', true, 3, $1)
+	`, now, xdr1, xdr2, xdr3)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Create test state changes
diff --git a/internal/data/transactions_test.go b/internal/data/transactions_test.go
index bf15daea..489e5691 100644
--- a/internal/data/transactions_test.go
+++ b/internal/data/transactions_test.go
@@ -650,13 +650,16 @@ func TestTransactionModel_BatchGetByOperationIDs(t *testing.T) {
 	// Create test operations (IDs must be in TOID range for each transaction)
 	// opTestHash1 (to_id=4096): ops 4097, 4098
 	// opTestHash2 (to_id=8192): op 8193
+	xdr1 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr1"))
+	xdr2 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr2"))
+	xdr3 := types.XDRBytea([]byte("xdr3"))
 	_, err = dbConnectionPool.ExecContext(ctx, `
 		INSERT INTO operations (id, operation_type, operation_xdr, result_code, successful, ledger_number, ledger_created_at)
 		VALUES
-			(4097, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr1', 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
-			(8193, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', 'xdr2', 'op_success', true, 2, $1),
-			(4098, 'PAYMENT', 'xdr3', 'op_success', true, 3, $1)
-	`, now)
+			(4097, 'PAYMENT', $2, 'op_success', true, 1, $1),
+			(8193, 'CREATE_ACCOUNT', $3, 'op_success', true, 2, $1),
+			(4098, 'PAYMENT', $4, 'op_success', true, 3, $1)
+	`, now, xdr1, xdr2, xdr3)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Test BatchGetByOperationIDs
diff --git a/internal/db/migrations/2025-06-10.3-operations.sql b/internal/db/migrations/2025-06-10.3-operations.sql
index a7cb9161..11fc2cbb 100644
--- a/internal/db/migrations/2025-06-10.3-operations.sql
+++ b/internal/db/migrations/2025-06-10.3-operations.sql
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ CREATE TABLE operations (
             'INVOKE_HOST_FUNCTION', 'EXTEND_FOOTPRINT_TTL', 'RESTORE_FOOTPRINT'
         )
     ),
-    operation_xdr TEXT,
+    operation_xdr BYTEA,
     result_code TEXT NOT NULL,
     successful BOOLEAN NOT NULL,
     ledger_number INTEGER NOT NULL,
diff --git a/internal/indexer/processors/utils.go b/internal/indexer/processors/utils.go
index 04c88b4f..c4cfb614 100644
--- a/internal/indexer/processors/utils.go
+++ b/internal/indexer/processors/utils.go
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ func ConvertOperation(
 	opIndex uint32,
 	opResults []xdr.OperationResult,
 ) (*types.Operation, error) {
-	xdrOpStr, err := xdr.MarshalBase64(op)
+	xdrBytes, err := op.MarshalBinary()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("marshalling operation %d: %w", opID, err)
 	}
@@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ func ConvertOperation(
 	return &types.Operation{
 		ID:              opID,
 		OperationType:   types.OperationTypeFromXDR(op.Body.Type),
-		OperationXDR:    xdrOpStr,
+		OperationXDR:    types.XDRBytea(xdrBytes),
 		ResultCode:      resultCode,
 		Successful:      successful,
 		LedgerCreatedAt: transaction.Ledger.ClosedAt(),
diff --git a/internal/indexer/processors/utils_test.go b/internal/indexer/processors/utils_test.go
index 0f68c129..483e1e97 100644
--- a/internal/indexer/processors/utils_test.go
+++ b/internal/indexer/processors/utils_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package processors
 
 import (
+	"encoding/base64"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -101,10 +102,14 @@ func Test_ConvertOperation(t *testing.T) {
 	gotDataOp, err := ConvertOperation(&ingestTx, &op, opID, opIndex, opResults)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
+	// Decode expected base64 XDR to raw bytes for comparison
+	expectedXDRBytes, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(opXDRStr)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
 	wantDataOp := &types.Operation{
 		ID:              opID,
 		OperationType:   types.OperationTypeFromXDR(op.Body.Type),
-		OperationXDR:    opXDRStr,
+		OperationXDR:    types.XDRBytea(expectedXDRBytes),
 		ResultCode:      OpSuccess,
 		Successful:      true,
 		LedgerCreatedAt: time.Date(2025, time.June, 19, 0, 3, 16, 0, time.UTC),
diff --git a/internal/indexer/types/types.go b/internal/indexer/types/types.go
index 9c939abe..ae6d2344 100644
--- a/internal/indexer/types/types.go
+++ b/internal/indexer/types/types.go
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ package types
 import (
 	"database/sql"
 	"database/sql/driver"
+	"encoding/base64"
 	"encoding/hex"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
@@ -166,6 +167,39 @@ func (h HashBytea) String() string {
 	return string(h)
 }
 
+// XDRBytea represents XDR data stored as BYTEA in the database.
+// Storage format: raw XDR bytes (variable length)
+// Go representation: raw bytes internally, base64 string via String()
+type XDRBytea []byte
+
+// Scan implements sql.Scanner - reads raw bytes from BYTEA column
+func (x *XDRBytea) Scan(value any) error {
+	if value == nil {
+		*x = nil
+		return nil
+	}
+	bytes, ok := value.([]byte)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("expected []byte, got %T", value)
+	}
+	*x = make([]byte, len(bytes))
+	copy(*x, bytes)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Value implements driver.Valuer - returns raw bytes for BYTEA storage
+func (x XDRBytea) Value() (driver.Value, error) {
+	if len(x) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return []byte(x), nil
+}
+
+// String returns the XDR as a base64 string.
+func (x XDRBytea) String() string {
+	return base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(x)
+}
+
 type ContractType string
 
 const (
@@ -372,7 +406,7 @@ type Operation struct {
 	// The parent transaction's to_id can be derived: ID &^ 0xFFF
 	ID              int64         `json:"id,omitempty" db:"id"`
 	OperationType   OperationType `json:"operationType,omitempty" db:"operation_type"`
-	OperationXDR    string        `json:"operationXdr,omitempty" db:"operation_xdr"`
+	OperationXDR    XDRBytea      `json:"operationXdr,omitempty" db:"operation_xdr"`
 	ResultCode      string        `json:"resultCode,omitempty" db:"result_code"`
 	Successful      bool          `json:"successful,omitempty" db:"successful"`
 	LedgerNumber    uint32        `json:"ledgerNumber,omitempty" db:"ledger_number"`
diff --git a/internal/serve/graphql/generated/generated.go b/internal/serve/graphql/generated/generated.go
index 47cb64d3..836693bd 100644
--- a/internal/serve/graphql/generated/generated.go
+++ b/internal/serve/graphql/generated/generated.go
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ type ComplexityRoot struct {
 		LedgerCreatedAt func(childComplexity int) int
 		LedgerNumber    func(childComplexity int) int
 		OperationType   func(childComplexity int) int
-		OperationXDR    func(childComplexity int) int
+		OperationXdr    func(childComplexity int) int
 		ResultCode      func(childComplexity int) int
 		StateChanges    func(childComplexity int, first *int32, after *string, last *int32, before *string) int
 		Successful      func(childComplexity int) int
@@ -395,6 +395,8 @@ type MutationResolver interface {
 	CreateFeeBumpTransaction(ctx context.Context, input CreateFeeBumpTransactionInput) (*CreateFeeBumpTransactionPayload, error)
 }
 type OperationResolver interface {
+	OperationXdr(ctx context.Context, obj *types.Operation) (string, error)
+
 	Transaction(ctx context.Context, obj *types.Operation) (*types.Transaction, error)
 	Accounts(ctx context.Context, obj *types.Operation) ([]*types.Account, error)
 	StateChanges(ctx context.Context, obj *types.Operation, first *int32, after *string, last *int32, before *string) (*StateChangeConnection, error)
@@ -1009,11 +1011,11 @@ func (e *executableSchema) Complexity(ctx context.Context, typeName, field strin
 		return e.complexity.Operation.OperationType(childComplexity), true
 
 	case "Operation.operationXdr":
-		if e.complexity.Operation.OperationXDR == nil {
+		if e.complexity.Operation.OperationXdr == nil {
 			break
 		}
 
-		return e.complexity.Operation.OperationXDR(childComplexity), true
+		return e.complexity.Operation.OperationXdr(childComplexity), true
 
 	case "Operation.resultCode":
 		if e.complexity.Operation.ResultCode == nil {
@@ -2316,7 +2318,7 @@ type CreateFeeBumpTransactionPayload {
 type Operation{
   id:              Int64!
   operationType:   OperationType!
-  operationXdr:    String!
+  operationXdr:    String! @goField(forceResolver: true)
   resultCode:      String!
   successful:      Boolean!
   ledgerNumber:    UInt32!
@@ -6822,7 +6824,7 @@ func (ec *executionContext) _Operation_operationXdr(ctx context.Context, field g
 	}()
 	resTmp, err := ec.ResolverMiddleware(ctx, func(rctx context.Context) (any, error) {
 		ctx = rctx // use context from middleware stack in children
-		return obj.OperationXDR, nil
+		return ec.resolvers.Operation().OperationXdr(rctx, obj)
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		ec.Error(ctx, err)
@@ -6843,8 +6845,8 @@ func (ec *executionContext) fieldContext_Operation_operationXdr(_ context.Contex
 	fc = &graphql.FieldContext{
 		Object:     "Operation",
 		Field:      field,
-		IsMethod:   false,
-		IsResolver: false,
+		IsMethod:   true,
+		IsResolver: true,
 		Child: func(ctx context.Context, field graphql.CollectedField) (*graphql.FieldContext, error) {
 			return nil, errors.New("field of type String does not have child fields")
 		},
@@ -17012,10 +17014,41 @@ func (ec *executionContext) _Operation(ctx context.Context, sel ast.SelectionSet
 				atomic.AddUint32(&out.Invalids, 1)
 			}
 		case "operationXdr":
-			out.Values[i] = ec._Operation_operationXdr(ctx, field, obj)
-			if out.Values[i] == graphql.Null {
-				atomic.AddUint32(&out.Invalids, 1)
+			field := field
+
+			innerFunc := func(ctx context.Context, fs *graphql.FieldSet) (res graphql.Marshaler) {
+				defer func() {
+					if r := recover(); r != nil {
+						ec.Error(ctx, ec.Recover(ctx, r))
+					}
+				}()
+				res = ec._Operation_operationXdr(ctx, field, obj)
+				if res == graphql.Null {
+					atomic.AddUint32(&fs.Invalids, 1)
+				}
+				return res
+			}
+
+			if field.Deferrable != nil {
+				dfs, ok := deferred[field.Deferrable.Label]
+				di := 0
+				if ok {
+					dfs.AddField(field)
+					di = len(dfs.Values) - 1
+				} else {
+					dfs = graphql.NewFieldSet([]graphql.CollectedField{field})
+					deferred[field.Deferrable.Label] = dfs
+				}
+				dfs.Concurrently(di, func(ctx context.Context) graphql.Marshaler {
+					return innerFunc(ctx, dfs)
+				})
+
+				// don't run the out.Concurrently() call below
+				out.Values[i] = graphql.Null
+				continue
 			}
+
+			out.Concurrently(i, func(ctx context.Context) graphql.Marshaler { return innerFunc(ctx, out) })
 		case "resultCode":
 			out.Values[i] = ec._Operation_resultCode(ctx, field, obj)
 			if out.Values[i] == graphql.Null {
diff --git a/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/account_resolvers_test.go b/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/account_resolvers_test.go
index 470287f2..609786c5 100644
--- a/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/account_resolvers_test.go
+++ b/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/account_resolvers_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package resolvers
 
 import (
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"fmt"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -15,6 +17,11 @@ import (
 	graphql1 "github.com/stellar/wallet-backend/internal/serve/graphql/generated"
 )
 
+// testOpXDRAcc returns the expected base64-encoded XDR for test operation N
+func testOpXDRAcc(n int) string {
+	return base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString([]byte(fmt.Sprintf("opxdr%d", n)))
+}
+
 func TestAccountResolver_Transactions(t *testing.T) {
 	parentAccount := &types.Account{StellarAddress: types.AddressBytea(sharedTestAccountAddress)}
 
@@ -166,10 +173,10 @@ func TestAccountResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Len(t, operations.Edges, 8)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr1", operations.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr2", operations.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr3", operations.Edges[2].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr4", operations.Edges[3].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(1), operations.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(2), operations.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(3), operations.Edges[2].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(4), operations.Edges[3].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 	})
 
 	t.Run("get operations with first/after limit and cursor", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -178,8 +185,8 @@ func TestAccountResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err := resolver.Operations(ctx, parentAccount, &first, nil, nil, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 2)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr1", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr2", ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(1), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(2), ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.False(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 
@@ -189,8 +196,8 @@ func TestAccountResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err = resolver.Operations(ctx, parentAccount, &first, nextCursor, nil, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 2)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr3", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr4", ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(3), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(4), ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 
@@ -200,10 +207,10 @@ func TestAccountResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err = resolver.Operations(ctx, parentAccount, &first, nextCursor, nil, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 4)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr5", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr6", ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr7", ops.Edges[2].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr8", ops.Edges[3].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(5), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(6), ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(7), ops.Edges[2].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(8), ops.Edges[3].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.False(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 	})
@@ -214,8 +221,8 @@ func TestAccountResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err := resolver.Operations(ctx, parentAccount, nil, nil, &last, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 2)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr7", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr8", ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(7), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(8), ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 		assert.False(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 
@@ -225,8 +232,8 @@ func TestAccountResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err = resolver.Operations(ctx, parentAccount, nil, nil, &last, nextCursor)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 2)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr5", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr6", ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(5), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(6), ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 
@@ -236,10 +243,10 @@ func TestAccountResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err = resolver.Operations(ctx, parentAccount, nil, nil, &last, nextCursor)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 4)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr1", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr2", ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr3", ops.Edges[2].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr4", ops.Edges[3].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(1), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(2), ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(3), ops.Edges[2].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRAcc(4), ops.Edges[3].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.False(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 	})
diff --git a/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/operation.resolvers.go b/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/operation.resolvers.go
index ca23c400..4097f59c 100644
--- a/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/operation.resolvers.go
+++ b/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/operation.resolvers.go
@@ -15,6 +15,12 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stellar/wallet-backend/internal/serve/middleware"
 )
 
+// OperationXdr is the resolver for the operationXdr field.
+// Returns the operation XDR as a base64-encoded string.
+func (r *operationResolver) OperationXdr(ctx context.Context, obj *types.Operation) (string, error) {
+	return obj.OperationXDR.String(), nil
+}
+
 // Transaction is the resolver for the transaction field.
 // This is a field resolver - it resolves the "transaction" field on an Operation object
 // gqlgen calls this when a GraphQL query requests the transaction field on an Operation
diff --git a/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/queries_resolvers_test.go b/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/queries_resolvers_test.go
index bb139b9d..2be5511c 100644
--- a/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/queries_resolvers_test.go
+++ b/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/queries_resolvers_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package resolvers
 
 import (
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"fmt"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stellar/go-stellar-sdk/toid"
@@ -12,6 +14,11 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stellar/wallet-backend/internal/metrics"
 )
 
+// testOpXDR returns the expected base64-encoded XDR for test operation N
+func testOpXDR(n int) string {
+	return base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString([]byte(fmt.Sprintf("opxdr%d", n)))
+}
+
 func TestQueryResolver_TransactionByHash(t *testing.T) {
 	mockMetricsService := &metrics.MockMetricsService{}
 	mockMetricsService.On("ObserveDBQueryDuration", "GetByHash", "transactions", mock.Anything).Return()
@@ -278,10 +285,10 @@ func TestQueryResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Len(t, operations.Edges, 8)
 		// Operations are ordered by ID ascending
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr1", operations.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr2", operations.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr3", operations.Edges[2].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr4", operations.Edges[3].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(1), operations.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(2), operations.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(3), operations.Edges[2].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(4), operations.Edges[3].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 	})
 
 	t.Run("get operations with first/after limit and cursor", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -290,8 +297,8 @@ func TestQueryResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err := resolver.Operations(ctx, &first, nil, nil, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 2)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr1", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr2", ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(1), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(2), ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.False(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 
@@ -302,7 +309,7 @@ func TestQueryResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err = resolver.Operations(ctx, &first, nextCursor, nil, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 1)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr3", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(3), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 
@@ -313,11 +320,11 @@ func TestQueryResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err = resolver.Operations(ctx, &first, nextCursor, nil, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 5)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr4", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr5", ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr6", ops.Edges[2].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr7", ops.Edges[3].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr8", ops.Edges[4].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(4), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(5), ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(6), ops.Edges[2].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(7), ops.Edges[3].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(8), ops.Edges[4].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.False(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 	})
@@ -329,8 +336,8 @@ func TestQueryResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 2)
 		// With backward pagination, we get the last 2 items
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr7", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr8", ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(7), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(8), ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.False(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 
@@ -341,7 +348,7 @@ func TestQueryResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err = resolver.Operations(ctx, nil, nil, &last, prevCursor)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 1)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr6", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(6), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 
@@ -352,11 +359,11 @@ func TestQueryResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		// There are 5 operations before (2,1): (2,2), (3,1), (3,2), (4,1), (4,2)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 5)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr1", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr2", ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr3", ops.Edges[2].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr4", ops.Edges[3].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr5", ops.Edges[4].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(1), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(2), ops.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(3), ops.Edges[2].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(4), ops.Edges[3].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(5), ops.Edges[4].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.False(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 	})
@@ -442,7 +449,7 @@ func TestQueryResolver_OperationByID(t *testing.T) {
 
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Equal(t, toid.New(1000, 1, 1).ToInt64(), op.ID)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr1", op.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDR(1), op.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.Equal(t, uint32(1), op.LedgerNumber)
 	})
 
diff --git a/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/test_utils.go b/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/test_utils.go
index 1e71dfb0..099ee9ab 100644
--- a/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/test_utils.go
+++ b/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/test_utils.go
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func setupDB(ctx context.Context, t *testing.T, dbConnectionPool db.ConnectionPo
 			ops = append(ops, &types.Operation{
 				ID:              toid.New(testLedger, int32(i+1), int32(j+1)).ToInt64(),
 				OperationType:   "PAYMENT",
-				OperationXDR:    fmt.Sprintf("opxdr%d", opIdx),
+				OperationXDR:    types.XDRBytea([]byte(fmt.Sprintf("opxdr%d", opIdx))),
 				ResultCode:      "op_success",
 				Successful:      true,
 				LedgerNumber:    1,
diff --git a/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/transaction_resolvers_test.go b/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/transaction_resolvers_test.go
index a27b2851..275cbefc 100644
--- a/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/transaction_resolvers_test.go
+++ b/internal/serve/graphql/resolvers/transaction_resolvers_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ package resolvers
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"fmt"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -17,6 +19,11 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stellar/wallet-backend/internal/serve/middleware"
 )
 
+// testOpXDR returns the expected base64-encoded XDR for test operation N
+func testOpXDRTx(n int) string {
+	return base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString([]byte(fmt.Sprintf("opxdr%d", n)))
+}
+
 func TestTransactionResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 	mockMetricsService := &metrics.MockMetricsService{}
 	mockMetricsService.On("IncDBQuery", "BatchGetByToID", "operations").Return()
@@ -42,8 +49,8 @@ func TestTransactionResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Len(t, operations.Edges, 2)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr1", operations.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr2", operations.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRTx(1), operations.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRTx(2), operations.Edges[1].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 	})
 
 	t.Run("nil transaction panics", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -73,7 +80,7 @@ func TestTransactionResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err := resolver.Operations(ctx, parentTx, &first, nil, nil, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 1)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr1", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRTx(1), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.False(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 
@@ -83,7 +90,7 @@ func TestTransactionResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err = resolver.Operations(ctx, parentTx, &first, nextCursor, nil, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 1)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr2", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRTx(2), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.False(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 	})
@@ -95,7 +102,7 @@ func TestTransactionResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err := resolver.Operations(ctx, parentTx, nil, nil, &last, nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 1)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr2", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRTx(2), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.False(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 
@@ -105,7 +112,7 @@ func TestTransactionResolver_Operations(t *testing.T) {
 		ops, err = resolver.Operations(ctx, parentTx, nil, nil, &last, prevCursor)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.Len(t, ops.Edges, 1)
-		assert.Equal(t, "opxdr1", ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR)
+		assert.Equal(t, testOpXDRTx(1), ops.Edges[0].Node.OperationXDR.String())
 		assert.True(t, ops.PageInfo.HasNextPage)
 		assert.False(t, ops.PageInfo.HasPreviousPage)
 	})
diff --git a/internal/serve/graphql/schema/operation.graphqls b/internal/serve/graphql/schema/operation.graphqls
index 0755fc38..dcec1b37 100644
--- a/internal/serve/graphql/schema/operation.graphqls
+++ b/internal/serve/graphql/schema/operation.graphqls
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 type Operation{
   id:              Int64!
   operationType:   OperationType!
-  operationXdr:    String!
+  operationXdr:    String! @goField(forceResolver: true)
   resultCode:      String!
   successful:      Boolean!
   ledgerNumber:    UInt32!
diff --git a/internal/services/ingest_test.go b/internal/services/ingest_test.go
index aac607e1..c558abb5 100644
--- a/internal/services/ingest_test.go
+++ b/internal/services/ingest_test.go
@@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ func createTestOperation(id int64) types.Operation {
 	return types.Operation{
 		ID:              id,
 		OperationType:   types.OperationTypePayment,
-		OperationXDR:    "test_operation_xdr",
+		OperationXDR:    types.XDRBytea([]byte("test_operation_xdr")),
 		LedgerNumber:    1000,
 		LedgerCreatedAt: now,
 		IngestedAt:      now,