diff --git a/src/Makefile.test.include b/src/Makefile.test.include
index faaee5aa1913..048aa2a61838 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.test.include
+++ b/src/Makefile.test.include
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ BITCOIN_TESTS =\
   test/flatfile_tests.cpp \
   test/fs_tests.cpp \
   test/getarg_tests.cpp \
+  test/governance_failed_trigger_rate_tests.cpp \
   test/governance_inv_tests.cpp \
   test/governance_superblock_tests.cpp \
   test/governance_validators_tests.cpp \
diff --git a/src/governance/governance.cpp b/src/governance/governance.cpp
index d87fef40fac5..483b85301c86 100644
--- a/src/governance/governance.cpp
+++ b/src/governance/governance.cpp
@@ -344,18 +344,25 @@ void CGovernanceManager::AddGovernanceObjectInternal(CGovernanceObject& insert_o
     LogPrint(BCLog::GOBJECT, "CGovernanceManager::AddGovernanceObject -- Before trigger block, GetDataAsPlainString = %s, nObjectType = %d\n",
                 Assert(govobj)->GetDataAsPlainString(), std23::to_underlying(govobj->GetObjectType()));
 
+    // Count the attempt against the per-masternode rate buffer before any early
+    // return. Failed AddTrigger paths used to skip this, so a single operator
+    // key could flood mapObjects with unparseable triggers.
+    MasternodeRateUpdate(*govobj);
+
     if (govobj->GetObjectType() == GovernanceObject::TRIGGER && !m_superblocks.AddTrigger(govobj, nCachedBlockHeight)) {
         LogPrint(BCLog::GOBJECT, "CGovernanceManager::AddGovernanceObject -- undo adding invalid trigger object: hash = %s\n", nHash.ToString());
         govobj->PrepareDeletion(GetTime<std::chrono::seconds>().count());
         return;
     }
 
+    // Only objects we keep may be announced. Scheduling this before the AddTrigger
+    // check would make us re-announce, and serve on GETDATA, a trigger we just
+    // undid and marked for deletion.
+    ScheduleAdditionalRelay(*govobj);
+
     LogPrint(BCLog::GOBJECT, "CGovernanceManager::AddGovernanceObject -- %s new, received from peer %s\n", strHash, peer_str);
     RelayObject(*govobj);
 
-    // Update the rate buffer
-    MasternodeRateUpdate(*govobj);
-
     m_mn_sync.BumpAssetLastTime("CGovernanceManager::AddGovernanceObject");
 
     // WE MIGHT HAVE PENDING/ORPHAN VOTES FOR THIS OBJECT
@@ -701,15 +708,23 @@ void CGovernanceManager::MasternodeRateUpdate(const CGovernanceObject& govobj)
         it = mapLastMasternodeObject.insert(txout_m_t::value_type(masternodeOutpoint, last_object_rec(true))).first;
     }
 
-    int64_t nTimestamp = govobj.GetCreationTime();
-    it->second.triggerBuffer.AddTimestamp(nTimestamp);
+    it->second.triggerBuffer.AddTimestamp(govobj.GetCreationTime());
+    it->second.fStatusOK = true;
+}
+
+void CGovernanceManager::ScheduleAdditionalRelay(const CGovernanceObject& govobj)
+{
+    AssertLockHeld(cs_store);
 
-    if (nTimestamp > GetTime() + count_seconds(MAX_TIME_FUTURE_DEVIATION) - count_seconds(RELIABLE_PROPAGATION_TIME)) {
-        // schedule additional relay for the object
+    if (govobj.GetObjectType() != GovernanceObject::TRIGGER) return;
+
+    // An object created this close to the future-deviation limit is still too new for
+    // peers with a lagging clock to accept, so re-announce it once it has aged past
+    // RELIABLE_PROPAGATION_TIME (see CheckPostponedObjects).
+    if (govobj.GetCreationTime() >
+        GetTime() + count_seconds(MAX_TIME_FUTURE_DEVIATION) - count_seconds(RELIABLE_PROPAGATION_TIME)) {
         setAdditionalRelayObjects.insert(govobj.GetHash());
     }
-
-    it->second.fStatusOK = true;
 }
 
 bool CGovernanceManager::MasternodeRateCheck(const CGovernanceObject& govobj, bool fUpdateFailStatus)
diff --git a/src/governance/governance.h b/src/governance/governance.h
index cca00d8cdb60..280f62f67394 100644
--- a/src/governance/governance.h
+++ b/src/governance/governance.h
@@ -403,6 +403,11 @@ class CGovernanceManager : public GovernanceStore
     void MasternodeRateUpdate(const CGovernanceObject& govobj)
         EXCLUSIVE_LOCKS_REQUIRED(cs_store);
 
+    /** Queue a deferred re-announcement for a trigger that is too new to propagate
+     *  reliably yet. Only call this for objects we are keeping. */
+    void ScheduleAdditionalRelay(const CGovernanceObject& govobj)
+        EXCLUSIVE_LOCKS_REQUIRED(cs_store);
+
     bool MasternodeRateCheck(const CGovernanceObject& govobj, bool fUpdateFailStatus, bool fForce, bool& fRateCheckBypassed)
         EXCLUSIVE_LOCKS_REQUIRED(cs_store);
 
diff --git a/src/test/governance_failed_trigger_rate_tests.cpp b/src/test/governance_failed_trigger_rate_tests.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..8713210c83c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/test/governance_failed_trigger_rate_tests.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,299 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2026 The Dash Core developers
+// Distributed under the MIT software license, see the accompanying
+// file COPYING or http://www.opensource.org/licenses/mit-license.php.
+
+#include <test/util/setup_common.h>
+
+#include <bls/bls.h>
+#include <chainparams.h>
+#include <deploymentstatus.h>
+#include <evo/chainhelper.h>
+#include <evo/deterministicmns.h>
+#include <evo/dmn_types.h>
+#include <evo/providertx.h>
+#include <evo/specialtx.h>
+#include <governance/governance.h>
+#include <governance/object.h>
+#include <masternode/sync.h>
+#include <netfulfilledman.h>
+#include <script/sign.h>
+#include <script/signingprovider.h>
+#include <script/standard.h>
+#include <util/strencodings.h>
+#include <util/time.h>
+#include <validation.h>
+
+#include <boost/test/unit_test.hpp>
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <map>
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+using SimpleUTXOMap = std::map<COutPoint, Coin>;
+
+static SimpleUTXOMap BuildSimpleUtxoMap(const std::vector<CTransactionRef>& txs)
+{
+    SimpleUTXOMap utxos;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < txs.size(); ++i) {
+        const auto& tx = txs[i];
+        for (size_t j = 0; j < tx->vout.size(); ++j) {
+            utxos.emplace(COutPoint(tx->GetHash(), j), Coin(tx->vout[j], static_cast<int>(i) + 1, /*fCoinBaseIn=*/false));
+        }
+    }
+    return utxos;
+}
+
+static SimpleUTXOMap SelectUTXOs(const CChain& active_chain, SimpleUTXOMap& utxos, CAmount amount, CAmount& changeRet)
+{
+    changeRet = 0;
+    SimpleUTXOMap selectedUtxos;
+    CAmount selectedAmount = 0;
+    while (!utxos.empty()) {
+        bool found = false;
+        for (auto it = utxos.begin(); it != utxos.end(); ++it) {
+            if (active_chain.Height() - it->second.nHeight < 101) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            found = true;
+            selectedAmount += it->second.out.nValue;
+            selectedUtxos.emplace(it->first, it->second);
+            utxos.erase(it);
+            break;
+        }
+        BOOST_REQUIRE(found);
+        if (selectedAmount >= amount) {
+            changeRet = selectedAmount - amount;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+    return selectedUtxos;
+}
+
+static SimpleUTXOMap FundTransaction(const ChainstateManager& chainman, CMutableTransaction& tx, SimpleUTXOMap& utxos,
+                                     const CScript& scriptPayout, CAmount amount)
+{
+    CAmount change;
+    auto inputs = WITH_LOCK(::cs_main, return SelectUTXOs(chainman.ActiveChain(), utxos, amount, change));
+    for (const auto& input : inputs) {
+        tx.vin.emplace_back(input.first);
+    }
+    tx.vout.emplace_back(amount, scriptPayout);
+    if (change != 0) {
+        tx.vout.emplace_back(change, scriptPayout);
+    }
+    return inputs;
+}
+
+static void SignTransaction(CMutableTransaction& tx, const SimpleUTXOMap& coins, const CKey& coinbaseKey)
+{
+    FillableSigningProvider tempKeystore;
+    tempKeystore.AddKeyPubKey(coinbaseKey, coinbaseKey.GetPubKey());
+    std::map<int, bilingual_str> input_errors;
+    BOOST_REQUIRE(::SignTransaction(tx, &tempKeystore, coins, SIGHASH_ALL, input_errors));
+}
+
+static CMutableTransaction CreateProRegTx(const ChainstateManager& chainman, SimpleUTXOMap& utxos, int port,
+                                          const CScript& scriptPayout, const CKey& coinbaseKey, CKey& ownerKeyRet,
+                                          CBLSSecretKey& operatorKeyRet)
+{
+    ownerKeyRet.MakeNewKey(true);
+    operatorKeyRet.MakeNewKey();
+
+    CProRegTx proTx;
+    proTx.nVersion = ProTxVersion::GetMax(!bls::bls_legacy_scheme, /*is_extended_addr=*/false);
+    proTx.netInfo = NetInfoInterface::MakeNetInfo(proTx.nVersion);
+    proTx.collateralOutpoint.n = 0;
+    BOOST_REQUIRE_EQUAL(proTx.netInfo->AddEntry(NetInfoPurpose::CORE_P2P, strprintf("1.1.1.1:%d", port)),
+                        NetInfoStatus::Success);
+    proTx.keyIDOwner = ownerKeyRet.GetPubKey().GetID();
+    proTx.pubKeyOperator.Set(operatorKeyRet.GetPublicKey(), bls::bls_legacy_scheme.load());
+    proTx.keyIDVoting = ownerKeyRet.GetPubKey().GetID();
+    proTx.scriptPayout = scriptPayout;
+
+    CMutableTransaction tx;
+    tx.nVersion = 3;
+    tx.nType = TRANSACTION_PROVIDER_REGISTER;
+    const auto spent = FundTransaction(chainman, tx, utxos, scriptPayout, dmn_types::Regular.collat_amount);
+    proTx.inputsHash = CalcTxInputsHash(CTransaction(tx));
+    SetTxPayload(tx, proTx);
+    SignTransaction(tx, spent, coinbaseKey);
+    return tx;
+}
+
+static CScript GenerateRandomAddress()
+{
+    CKey key;
+    key.MakeNewKey(false);
+    return GetScriptForDestination(PKHash(key.GetPubKey()));
+}
+
+// Fixture: a chain with DIP3 active, one registered masternode whose operator BLS
+// key we hold, a governance manager wired the way production init does, and
+// CMasternodeSync driven to FINISHED (MasternodeRateCheck is a no-op until then).
+//
+// The DIP3 activation height is pushed to 109 so TestChainSetup's fixed-checkpoint
+// assert still succeeds while the early coinbases are mature.
+struct FailedTriggerRateSetup : public TestChainSetup {
+    COutPoint mn_outpoint;
+    CBLSSecretKey operator_key;
+
+    FailedTriggerRateSetup() :
+        TestChainSetup(/*num_blocks=*/107, CBaseChainParams::REGTEST, {"-dip3params=109:500"})
+    {
+        auto& chainman = *Assert(m_node.chainman.get());
+        auto& dmnman = *Assert(m_node.dmnman);
+        const CScript coinbase_pk = GetScriptForRawPubKey(coinbaseKey.GetPubKey());
+
+        // Activate DIP3 (fixture tip is one block before activation height 109).
+        // Enforcement is independent of activation; ProRegTx only needs activation.
+        CreateAndProcessBlock({}, coinbase_pk);
+        BOOST_REQUIRE_EQUAL(WITH_LOCK(::cs_main, return chainman.ActiveChain().Height()), 108);
+
+        auto utxos = BuildSimpleUtxoMap(m_coinbase_txns);
+        CKey owner_key;
+        auto proreg_tx = CreateProRegTx(chainman, utxos, /*port=*/1, GenerateRandomAddress(), coinbaseKey, owner_key,
+                                        operator_key);
+        CreateAndProcessBlock({proreg_tx}, coinbase_pk);
+        dmnman.UpdatedBlockTip(WITH_LOCK(::cs_main, return chainman.ActiveChain().Tip()));
+
+        mn_outpoint = COutPoint{proreg_tx.GetHash(), 0};
+        const auto dmn = dmnman.GetListAtChainTip().GetMNByCollateral(mn_outpoint);
+        BOOST_REQUIRE(dmn);
+        BOOST_REQUIRE(dmn->pdmnState->pubKeyOperator.Get() == operator_key.GetPublicKey());
+
+        BOOST_REQUIRE(m_node.mn_metaman);
+        BOOST_REQUIRE(m_node.mn_sync);
+        BOOST_REQUIRE(m_node.chain_helper);
+        BOOST_REQUIRE(m_node.chain_helper->superblocks);
+        m_node.govman = std::make_unique<CGovernanceManager>(*m_node.mn_metaman, *m_node.chainman,
+                                                             *m_node.chain_helper->superblocks, *m_node.dmnman,
+                                                             *m_node.mn_sync);
+        BOOST_REQUIRE(m_node.govman->LoadCache(/*load_cache=*/false));
+
+        // Advance BLOCKCHAIN -> GOVERNANCE -> FINISHED. SyncFinished requires a
+        // loaded netfulfilledman.
+        BOOST_REQUIRE(m_node.netfulfilledman);
+        BOOST_REQUIRE(m_node.netfulfilledman->LoadCache(/*load_cache=*/false));
+        m_node.mn_sync->SwitchToNextAsset();
+        m_node.mn_sync->SwitchToNextAsset();
+        BOOST_REQUIRE(m_node.mn_sync->IsSynced());
+    }
+
+    ~FailedTriggerRateSetup()
+    {
+        // chain_helper (owner of the SuperblockManager govman clears in its dtor)
+        // must outlive govman -- see PrepareShutdown in init.cpp.
+        m_node.govman.reset();
+    }
+
+    // Malformed trigger JSON: type=TRIGGER so LoadData/IsValidLocally accept it, but
+    // SuperblockManager::AddTrigger fails while constructing CSuperblock (missing
+    // event_block_height / payment fields). That is the failed-trigger path.
+    CGovernanceObject MakeFailedTrigger(int64_t creation_time, int salt) const
+    {
+        const std::string data = strprintf(R"({"type":2,"salt":%d})", salt);
+        CGovernanceObject govobj{uint256{}, /*revision=*/1, creation_time, uint256{}, HexStr(data)};
+        BOOST_REQUIRE_EQUAL(std23::to_underlying(govobj.GetObjectType()),
+                            std23::to_underlying(GovernanceObject::TRIGGER));
+        govobj.SetMasternodeOutpoint(mn_outpoint);
+        const CBLSSignature sig = operator_key.Sign(govobj.GetSignatureHash(), /*specificLegacyScheme=*/false);
+        BOOST_REQUIRE(sig.IsValid());
+        govobj.SetSignature(sig.ToByteVector(/*specificLegacyScheme=*/false));
+        return govobj;
+    }
+};
+
+BOOST_FIXTURE_TEST_SUITE(governance_failed_trigger_rate_tests, FailedTriggerRateSetup)
+
+// Regression: AddGovernanceObjectInternal used to return early on
+// AddTrigger failure without calling MasternodeRateUpdate. Because
+// MasternodeRateCheck short-circuits when mapLastMasternodeObject has no entry,
+// a single operator key could flood mapObjects with unparseable triggers.
+// After the fix, failed triggers still advance the per-masternode rate buffer
+// so the flood is throttled.
+BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(failed_trigger_path_advances_masternode_rate_limit)
+{
+    // Deterministic clock inside the allowed rate-check timestamp window.
+    SetMockTime(1'700'000'000s);
+    const int64_t base_time = GetTime<std::chrono::seconds>().count();
+
+    // Submit more failed triggers than RATE_BUFFER_SIZE from the same MN.
+    // Pre-fix the rate buffer never fills, so every object lands in mapObjects.
+    // Post-fix the buffer fills and further submissions are rate-rejected.
+    constexpr int flood_count = 12;
+    int objects_seen = 0;
+    for (int i = 0; i < flood_count; ++i) {
+        CGovernanceObject govobj = MakeFailedTrigger(base_time + i, /*salt=*/i);
+        const uint256 hash = govobj.GetHash();
+        // Unique per-object: salt + time vary both the data and the creation time.
+        BOOST_REQUIRE(!m_node.govman->HaveObjectForHash(hash));
+
+        LOCK(::cs_main);
+        // ProcessObject returns true for both accepted and rate-rejected objects
+        // (rate rejection is not a peer-misbehaviour event).
+        BOOST_CHECK(m_node.govman->ProcessObject(/*peer_str=*/"test-peer", hash, govobj));
+
+        if (m_node.govman->HaveObjectForHash(hash)) {
+            ++objects_seen;
+            // Failed triggers are accepted into mapObjects then marked for deletion.
+            const auto stored = m_node.govman->FindGovernanceObject(hash);
+            BOOST_REQUIRE(stored);
+            BOOST_CHECK(stored->IsSetCachedDelete());
+        }
+    }
+
+    // With the rate buffer size of 5, a fixed limiter records the first five
+    // failed attempts and rejects the rest before insertion. Without the fix
+    // every object is inserted (objects_seen == flood_count).
+    BOOST_CHECK_LT(objects_seen, flood_count);
+    BOOST_CHECK_LE(objects_seen, RATE_BUFFER_SIZE + 1);
+
+    const UniValue stats = m_node.govman->ToJson();
+    BOOST_CHECK_LT(stats["objects_total"].getInt<int>(), flood_count);
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(stats["objects_total"].getInt<int>(), objects_seen);
+
+    // A trigger we undid must never be announced to peers.
+    BOOST_CHECK(m_node.govman->FetchRelayInventory().empty());
+}
+
+// A failed trigger must not be scheduled for the deferred "additional relay"
+// pass. That bookkeeping (setAdditionalRelayObjects) fires for creation times
+// close to MAX_TIME_FUTURE_DEVIATION, and used to live inside
+// MasternodeRateUpdate() -- so counting the failed attempt against the rate
+// buffer would otherwise make the node re-announce, and serve on GETDATA, an
+// object it had just rejected and marked for deletion. One signature-valid
+// message would then fan out to every peer, which in turn re-announce it.
+BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(failed_trigger_is_not_scheduled_for_additional_relay)
+{
+    SetMockTime(1'700'000'000s);
+    const int64_t now = GetTime<std::chrono::seconds>().count();
+
+    // Inside (now + MAX_TIME_FUTURE_DEVIATION - RELIABLE_PROPAGATION_TIME,
+    // now + MAX_TIME_FUTURE_DEVIATION], i.e. accepted by MasternodeRateCheck but
+    // "too new to propagate reliably", which is what arms the additional relay.
+    const int64_t near_future = now + 3550;
+    CGovernanceObject govobj = MakeFailedTrigger(near_future, /*salt=*/0);
+    const uint256 hash = govobj.GetHash();
+
+    WITH_LOCK(::cs_main, BOOST_CHECK(m_node.govman->ProcessObject(/*peer_str=*/"test-peer", hash, govobj)));
+
+    // The object is stored (AddTrigger failure happens after insertion) but is
+    // immediately marked for deletion, so it is not syncable...
+    BOOST_REQUIRE(m_node.govman->HaveObjectForHash(hash));
+    BOOST_CHECK(!m_node.govman->HaveSyncableObjectForHash(hash));
+    // ...and nothing was queued for relay on the accept path either.
+    BOOST_CHECK(m_node.govman->FetchRelayInventory().empty());
+
+    // Move past RELIABLE_PROPAGATION_TIME so the deferred relay would be "ready",
+    // then run the pass. UpdatedBlockTip -> CheckPostponedObjects drains
+    // setAdditionalRelayObjects.
+    SetMockTime(std::chrono::seconds{now + 120});
+    m_node.govman->UpdatedBlockTip(WITH_LOCK(::cs_main, return m_node.chainman->ActiveChain().Tip()));
+
+    const auto invs = m_node.govman->FetchRelayInventory();
+    BOOST_CHECK(std::ranges::none_of(invs, [&](const CInv& inv) { return inv.hash == hash; }));
+    BOOST_CHECK(invs.empty());
+}
+
+BOOST_AUTO_TEST_SUITE_END()