diff --git a/src/bin/cli.ml b/src/bin/cli.ml
index f9b6321e5..1ad68d049 100644
--- a/src/bin/cli.ml
+++ b/src/bin/cli.ml
@@ -66,10 +66,18 @@ let amount =
   let open Arg in
   let info =
     let docv = "AMOUNT" in
-    let doc = "$(docv) is the amount the Michelson interpreter will use." in
+    let doc = "$(docv) is the amount the Michelson interpreter will use for the transaction." in
     info ~docv ~doc ["amount"] in
   value @@ opt string "0" info
 
+let balance =
+  let open Arg in
+  let info =
+    let docv = "BALANCE" in
+    let doc = "$(docv) is the balance the Michelson interpreter will use for the contract balance." in
+    info ~docv ~doc ["balance"] in
+  value @@ opt string "0" info
+
 let sender =
   let open Arg in
   let info =
@@ -207,7 +215,7 @@ let measure_contract =
   (Term.ret term , Term.info ~doc cmdname)
 
 let compile_parameter =
-  let f source_file entry_point expression syntax amount sender source predecessor_timestamp display_format michelson_format =
+  let f source_file entry_point expression syntax amount balance sender source predecessor_timestamp display_format michelson_format =
     toplevel ~display_format @@
     let%bind simplified      = Compile.Of_source.compile source_file (Syntax_name syntax) in
     let%bind typed_prg,state = Compile.Of_simplified.compile simplified in
@@ -225,18 +233,18 @@ let compile_parameter =
     let%bind compiled_param   = Compile.Of_mini_c.aggregate_and_compile_expression mini_c_prg mini_c_param in
     let%bind ()               = Compile.Of_typed.assert_equal_contract_type Check_parameter entry_point typed_prg typed_param in
     let%bind ()               = Compile.Of_michelson.assert_equal_contract_type Check_parameter michelson_prg compiled_param in
-    let%bind options          = Run.make_dry_run_options {predecessor_timestamp ; amount ; sender ; source } in
+    let%bind options          = Run.make_dry_run_options {predecessor_timestamp ; amount ; balance ; sender ; source } in
     let%bind value            = Run.evaluate_expression ~options compiled_param.expr compiled_param.expr_ty in
     ok @@ Format.asprintf "%a\n" (Main.Display.michelson_pp michelson_format) value
   in
   let term =
-    Term.(const f $ source_file 0 $ entry_point 1 $ expression "PARAMETER" 2 $ syntax $ amount $ sender $ source $ predecessor_timestamp $ display_format $ michelson_code_format) in
+    Term.(const f $ source_file 0 $ entry_point 1 $ expression "PARAMETER" 2 $ syntax $ amount $ balance $ sender $ source $ predecessor_timestamp $ display_format $ michelson_code_format) in
   let cmdname = "compile-parameter" in
   let doc = "Subcommand: Compile parameters to a Michelson expression. The resulting Michelson expression can be passed as an argument in a transaction which calls a contract." in
   (Term.ret term , Term.info ~doc cmdname)
 
 let interpret =
-  let f expression init_file syntax amount sender source predecessor_timestamp display_format =
+  let f expression init_file syntax amount balance sender source predecessor_timestamp display_format =
     toplevel ~display_format @@
     let%bind (decl_list,state,env) = match init_file with
       | Some init_file ->
@@ -252,7 +260,7 @@ let interpret =
     let%bind (typed_exp,_)  = Compile.Of_simplified.compile_expression ~env ~state simplified_exp in
     let%bind mini_c_exp     = Compile.Of_typed.compile_expression typed_exp in
     let%bind compiled_exp   = Compile.Of_mini_c.aggregate_and_compile_expression decl_list mini_c_exp in
-    let%bind options        = Run.make_dry_run_options {predecessor_timestamp ; amount ; sender ; source } in
+    let%bind options        = Run.make_dry_run_options {predecessor_timestamp ; amount ; balance ; sender ; source } in
     let%bind runres         = Run.run_expression ~options compiled_exp.expr compiled_exp.expr_ty in
     match runres with
       | Fail fail_res ->
@@ -263,7 +271,7 @@ let interpret =
         ok @@ Format.asprintf "%a\n" Ast_simplified.PP.expression simplified_output
   in
   let term =
-    Term.(const f $ expression "EXPRESSION" 0 $ init_file $ syntax $ amount $ sender $ source $ predecessor_timestamp $ display_format ) in
+    Term.(const f $ expression "EXPRESSION" 0 $ init_file $ syntax $ amount $ balance $ sender $ source $ predecessor_timestamp $ display_format ) in
   let cmdname = "interpret" in
   let doc = "Subcommand: Interpret the expression in the context initialized by the provided source file." in
   (Term.ret term , Term.info ~doc cmdname)
@@ -283,7 +291,7 @@ let temp_ligo_interpreter =
   (Term.ret term , Term.info ~doc cmdname)
 
 let compile_storage =
-  let f source_file entry_point expression syntax amount sender source predecessor_timestamp display_format michelson_format =
+  let f source_file entry_point expression syntax amount balance sender source predecessor_timestamp display_format michelson_format =
     toplevel ~display_format @@
     let%bind simplified      = Compile.Of_source.compile source_file (Syntax_name syntax) in
     let%bind typed_prg,state = Compile.Of_simplified.compile simplified in
@@ -301,18 +309,18 @@ let compile_storage =
     let%bind compiled_param   = Compile.Of_mini_c.aggregate_and_compile_expression mini_c_prg mini_c_param in
     let%bind ()               = Compile.Of_typed.assert_equal_contract_type Check_storage entry_point typed_prg typed_param in
     let%bind ()               = Compile.Of_michelson.assert_equal_contract_type Check_storage michelson_prg compiled_param in
-    let%bind options          = Run.make_dry_run_options {predecessor_timestamp ; amount ; sender ; source } in
+    let%bind options          = Run.make_dry_run_options {predecessor_timestamp ; amount ; balance ; sender ; source } in
     let%bind value            = Run.evaluate_expression ~options compiled_param.expr compiled_param.expr_ty in
     ok @@ Format.asprintf "%a\n" (Main.Display.michelson_pp michelson_format) value
   in
   let term =
-    Term.(const f $ source_file 0 $ entry_point 1 $ expression "STORAGE" 2 $ syntax $ amount $ sender $ source $ predecessor_timestamp $ display_format $ michelson_code_format) in
+    Term.(const f $ source_file 0 $ entry_point 1 $ expression "STORAGE" 2 $ syntax $ amount $ balance $ sender $ source $ predecessor_timestamp $ display_format $ michelson_code_format) in
   let cmdname = "compile-storage" in
   let doc = "Subcommand: Compile an initial storage in ligo syntax to a Michelson expression. The resulting Michelson expression can be passed as an argument in a transaction which originates a contract." in
   (Term.ret term , Term.info ~doc cmdname)
 
 let dry_run =
-  let f source_file entry_point storage input amount sender source predecessor_timestamp syntax display_format =
+  let f source_file entry_point storage input amount balance sender source predecessor_timestamp syntax display_format =
     toplevel ~display_format @@
     let%bind simplified      = Compile.Of_source.compile source_file (Syntax_name syntax) in
     let%bind typed_prg,state = Compile.Of_simplified.compile simplified in
@@ -330,7 +338,7 @@ let dry_run =
     let%bind compiled_params   = Compile.Of_mini_c.aggregate_and_compile_expression mini_c_prg mini_c in
     let%bind args_michelson    = Run.evaluate_expression compiled_params.expr compiled_params.expr_ty in
 
-    let%bind options           = Run.make_dry_run_options {predecessor_timestamp ; amount ; sender ; source } in
+    let%bind options           = Run.make_dry_run_options {predecessor_timestamp ; amount ; balance ; sender ; source } in
     let%bind runres  = Run.run_contract ~options michelson_prg.expr michelson_prg.expr_ty args_michelson in
     match runres with
       | Fail fail_res ->
@@ -341,13 +349,13 @@ let dry_run =
         ok @@ Format.asprintf "%a\n" Ast_simplified.PP.expression simplified_output
   in
   let term =
-    Term.(const f $ source_file 0 $ entry_point 1 $ expression "PARAMETER" 2 $ expression "STORAGE" 3 $ amount $ sender $ source $ predecessor_timestamp $ syntax $ display_format) in
+    Term.(const f $ source_file 0 $ entry_point 1 $ expression "PARAMETER" 2 $ expression "STORAGE" 3 $ amount $ balance $ sender $ source $ predecessor_timestamp $ syntax $ display_format) in
   let cmdname = "dry-run" in
   let doc = "Subcommand: Run a smart-contract with the given storage and input." in
   (Term.ret term , Term.info ~doc cmdname)
 
 let run_function =
-  let f source_file entry_point parameter amount sender source predecessor_timestamp syntax display_format =
+  let f source_file entry_point parameter amount balance sender source predecessor_timestamp syntax display_format =
     toplevel ~display_format @@
     let%bind v_syntax        = Helpers.syntax_to_variant (Syntax_name syntax) (Some source_file) in
     let%bind simplified_prg  = Compile.Of_source.compile source_file (Syntax_name syntax) in
@@ -362,7 +370,7 @@ let run_function =
     let%bind compiled_applied = Compile.Of_typed.compile_expression typed_app in
 
     let%bind michelson        = Compile.Of_mini_c.aggregate_and_compile_expression mini_c_prg compiled_applied in
-    let%bind options          = Run.make_dry_run_options {predecessor_timestamp ; amount ; sender ; source } in
+    let%bind options          = Run.make_dry_run_options {predecessor_timestamp ; amount ; balance ; sender ; source } in
     let%bind runres           = Run.run_expression ~options michelson.expr michelson.expr_ty in
     match runres with
       | Fail fail_res ->
@@ -373,26 +381,26 @@ let run_function =
         ok @@ Format.asprintf "%a\n" Ast_simplified.PP.expression simplified_output
   in
   let term =
-    Term.(const f $ source_file 0 $ entry_point 1 $ expression "PARAMETER" 2 $ amount $ sender $ source $ predecessor_timestamp $ syntax $ display_format) in
+    Term.(const f $ source_file 0 $ entry_point 1 $ expression "PARAMETER" 2 $ amount $ balance $ sender $ source $ predecessor_timestamp $ syntax $ display_format) in
   let cmdname = "run-function" in
   let doc = "Subcommand: Run a function with the given parameter." in
   (Term.ret term , Term.info ~doc cmdname)
 
 let evaluate_value =
-  let f source_file entry_point amount sender source predecessor_timestamp syntax display_format =
+  let f source_file entry_point amount balance sender source predecessor_timestamp syntax display_format =
     toplevel ~display_format @@
     let%bind simplified        = Compile.Of_source.compile source_file (Syntax_name syntax) in
     let%bind typed_prg,_       = Compile.Of_simplified.compile simplified in
     let%bind mini_c            = Compile.Of_typed.compile typed_prg in
     let%bind (exp,_)           = Mini_c.get_entry mini_c entry_point in
     let%bind compiled          = Compile.Of_mini_c.aggregate_and_compile_expression mini_c exp in
-    let%bind options           = Run.make_dry_run_options {predecessor_timestamp ; amount ; sender ; source } in
+    let%bind options           = Run.make_dry_run_options {predecessor_timestamp ; amount ; balance ; sender ; source } in
     let%bind michelson_output  = Run.run_no_failwith ~options compiled.expr compiled.expr_ty in
     let%bind simplified_output = Uncompile.uncompile_typed_program_entry_expression_result typed_prg entry_point michelson_output in
     ok @@ Format.asprintf "%a\n" Ast_simplified.PP.expression simplified_output
   in
   let term =
-    Term.(const f $ source_file 0 $ entry_point 1 $ amount $ sender $ source $ predecessor_timestamp $ syntax $ display_format) in
+    Term.(const f $ source_file 0 $ entry_point 1 $ amount $ balance $ sender $ source $ predecessor_timestamp $ syntax $ display_format) in
   let cmdname = "evaluate-value" in
   let doc = "Subcommand: Evaluate a given definition." in
   (Term.ret term , Term.info ~doc cmdname)
diff --git a/src/bin/expect_tests/help_tests.ml b/src/bin/expect_tests/help_tests.ml
index bd5824881..f13b5c078 100644
--- a/src/bin/expect_tests/help_tests.ml
+++ b/src/bin/expect_tests/help_tests.ml
@@ -226,7 +226,12 @@ let%expect_test _ =
 
     OPTIONS
            --amount=AMOUNT (absent=0)
-               AMOUNT is the amount the Michelson interpreter will use.
+               AMOUNT is the amount the Michelson interpreter will use for the
+               transaction.
+
+           --balance=BALANCE (absent=0)
+               BALANCE is the balance the Michelson interpreter will use for the
+               contract balance.
 
            --format=DISPLAY_FORMAT, --display-format=DISPLAY_FORMAT
            (absent=human-readable)
@@ -292,7 +297,12 @@ let%expect_test _ =
 
     OPTIONS
            --amount=AMOUNT (absent=0)
-               AMOUNT is the amount the Michelson interpreter will use.
+               AMOUNT is the amount the Michelson interpreter will use for the
+               transaction.
+
+           --balance=BALANCE (absent=0)
+               BALANCE is the balance the Michelson interpreter will use for the
+               contract balance.
 
            --format=DISPLAY_FORMAT, --display-format=DISPLAY_FORMAT
            (absent=human-readable)
@@ -359,7 +369,12 @@ let%expect_test _ =
 
     OPTIONS
            --amount=AMOUNT (absent=0)
-               AMOUNT is the amount the Michelson interpreter will use.
+               AMOUNT is the amount the Michelson interpreter will use for the
+               transaction.
+
+           --balance=BALANCE (absent=0)
+               BALANCE is the balance the Michelson interpreter will use for the
+               contract balance.
 
            --format=DISPLAY_FORMAT, --display-format=DISPLAY_FORMAT
            (absent=human-readable)
@@ -418,7 +433,12 @@ let%expect_test _ =
 
     OPTIONS
            --amount=AMOUNT (absent=0)
-               AMOUNT is the amount the Michelson interpreter will use.
+               AMOUNT is the amount the Michelson interpreter will use for the
+               transaction.
+
+           --balance=BALANCE (absent=0)
+               BALANCE is the balance the Michelson interpreter will use for the
+               contract balance.
 
            --format=DISPLAY_FORMAT, --display-format=DISPLAY_FORMAT
            (absent=human-readable)
@@ -472,7 +492,12 @@ let%expect_test _ =
 
     OPTIONS
            --amount=AMOUNT (absent=0)
-               AMOUNT is the amount the Michelson interpreter will use.
+               AMOUNT is the amount the Michelson interpreter will use for the
+               transaction.
+
+           --balance=BALANCE (absent=0)
+               BALANCE is the balance the Michelson interpreter will use for the
+               contract balance.
 
            --format=DISPLAY_FORMAT, --display-format=DISPLAY_FORMAT
            (absent=human-readable)
diff --git a/src/main/run/of_michelson.ml b/src/main/run/of_michelson.ml
index 6e8733e0e..02e884840 100644
--- a/src/main/run/of_michelson.ml
+++ b/src/main/run/of_michelson.ml
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ type run_res =
 
 type dry_run_options =
   { amount : string ;
+    balance : string ;
     predecessor_timestamp : string option ;
     sender : string option ;
     source : string option }
@@ -47,6 +48,9 @@ let make_dry_run_options (opts : dry_run_options) : options result =
   let open Proto_alpha_utils.Trace in
   let open Proto_alpha_utils.Memory_proto_alpha in
   let open Protocol.Alpha_context in
+  let%bind balance = match Tez.of_string opts.balance with
+    | None -> simple_fail "invalid amount"
+    | Some balance -> ok balance in
   let%bind amount = match Tez.of_string opts.amount with
     | None -> simple_fail "invalid amount"
     | Some amount -> ok amount in
@@ -75,7 +79,7 @@ let make_dry_run_options (opts : dry_run_options) : options result =
       match Memory_proto_alpha.Protocol.Alpha_context.Timestamp.of_notation st with
         | Some t -> ok (Some t)
         | None -> simple_fail ("\""^st^"\" is a bad timestamp notation") in
-  ok @@ make_options ?predecessor_timestamp:predecessor_timestamp ~amount ?sender ?source ()
+  ok @@ make_options ?predecessor_timestamp:predecessor_timestamp ~amount ~balance ?sender ?source ()
 
 let ex_value_ty_to_michelson (v : ex_typed_value) : Michelson.t result =
   let (Ex_typed_value (value , ty)) = v in
diff --git a/src/test/integration_tests.ml b/src/test/integration_tests.ml
index 2ad0dfc8f..e6de67651 100644
--- a/src/test/integration_tests.ml
+++ b/src/test/integration_tests.ml
@@ -1786,24 +1786,33 @@ let religo_let_multiple () : unit result =
   in
   ok ()
 
+
+let balance_test_options () =
+  let%bind balance = trace_option (simple_error "could not convert balance") @@
+    Memory_proto_alpha.Protocol.Alpha_context.Tez.of_string "4000000" in
+  ok @@ Proto_alpha_utils.Memory_proto_alpha.make_options ~balance ()
+
 let balance_constant () : unit result =
   let%bind program = type_file "./contracts/balance_constant.ligo" in
   let input = e_tuple [e_unit () ; e_mutez 0]  in
   let expected = e_tuple [e_list []; e_mutez 4000000000000] in
-  expect_eq program "main" input expected
+  let%bind options = balance_test_options () in
+  expect_eq ~options program "main" input expected
 
 
 let balance_constant_mligo () : unit result =
   let%bind program = mtype_file "./contracts/balance_constant.mligo" in
   let input = e_tuple [e_unit () ; e_mutez 0]  in
   let expected = e_tuple [e_list []; e_mutez 4000000000000] in
-  expect_eq program "main" input expected
+  let%bind options = balance_test_options () in
+  expect_eq ~options program "main" input expected
 
 let balance_constant_religo () : unit result =
   let%bind program = retype_file "./contracts/balance_constant.religo" in
   let input = e_tuple [e_unit () ; e_mutez 0]  in
   let expected = e_tuple [e_list []; e_mutez 4000000000000] in
-  expect_eq program "main" input expected
+  let%bind options = balance_test_options () in
+  expect_eq ~options program "main" input expected
 
 let amount () : unit result =
   let%bind program = type_file "./contracts/amount.ligo" in
diff --git a/vendors/ligo-utils/proto-alpha-utils/x_memory_proto_alpha.ml b/vendors/ligo-utils/proto-alpha-utils/x_memory_proto_alpha.ml
index d5d1b3ab7..863d19a62 100644
--- a/vendors/ligo-utils/proto-alpha-utils/x_memory_proto_alpha.ml
+++ b/vendors/ligo-utils/proto-alpha-utils/x_memory_proto_alpha.ml
@@ -1071,10 +1071,18 @@ let make_options
     ?(self = (List.nth dummy_environment.identities 0).implicit_contract)
     ?(source = (List.nth dummy_environment.identities 1).implicit_contract)
     ?(amount = Alpha_context.Tez.one)
+    ?(balance = Alpha_context.Tez.zero)
     ?(chain_id = Environment.Chain_id.zero)
     ()
   =
   let tezos_context = { tezos_context with predecessor_timestamp } in
+  let tezos_context_error =
+    Trace.trace_alpha_tzresult_lwt (Trace.simple_error "lol") @@
+    Alpha_context.Contract.set_balance tezos_context self balance
+  in
+  let tezos_context = match tezos_context_error with
+    | Ok (a,_) -> a
+    | Error _ -> tezos_context in
   {
     tezos_context ;
     (* yep *)
diff --git a/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/alpha_context.ml b/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/alpha_context.ml
index 5eaf19850..16ed177b8 100644
--- a/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/alpha_context.ml
+++ b/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/alpha_context.ml
@@ -158,8 +158,10 @@ module Contract = struct
   let init_origination_nonce = Raw_context.init_origination_nonce
 
   let unset_origination_nonce = Raw_context.unset_origination_nonce
+  let set_balance = Contract_storage.set_balance
 end
 
+
 module Big_map = struct
   type id = Z.t
 
diff --git a/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/alpha_context.mli b/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/alpha_context.mli
index 17e32aa76..df38cd83e 100644
--- a/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/alpha_context.mli
+++ b/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/alpha_context.mli
@@ -706,6 +706,9 @@ module Contract : sig
   include BASIC_DATA
 
   type contract = t
+  
+  val set_balance : context ->
+    contract -> Tez.t -> context tzresult Lwt.t
 
   val rpc_arg : contract RPC_arg.arg
 
diff --git a/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/contract_storage.ml b/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/contract_storage.ml
index c63a9f283..ddc913b4a 100644
--- a/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/contract_storage.ml
+++ b/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/contract_storage.ml
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@
 (*                                                                           *)
 (*****************************************************************************)
 
+let set_balance = Storage.Contract.Balance.set
+
 type error +=
   | Balance_too_low of Contract_repr.contract * Tez_repr.t * Tez_repr.t
   | (* `Temporary *)
diff --git a/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/contract_storage.mli b/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/contract_storage.mli
index 450b58ac1..e9277bb5d 100644
--- a/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/contract_storage.mli
+++ b/vendors/ligo-utils/tezos-protocol-alpha/contract_storage.mli
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@
 (*                                                                           *)
 (*****************************************************************************)
 
+val set_balance : Raw_context.t ->
+Contract_repr.t -> Tez_repr.t -> Raw_context.t tzresult Lwt.t
+
 type error +=
   | Balance_too_low of Contract_repr.contract * Tez_repr.t * Tez_repr.t
   | (* `Temporary *)