diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 2d46af4a852..b48464c054e 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Changelog
 
-## Next release
+## 23.10.0-RC
 
 ### Breaking Changes
 - Removed support for Kotti network (ETC) [#5816](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5816)
diff --git a/gradle.properties b/gradle.properties
index 4c525f654b3..b87d57af875 100644
--- a/gradle.properties
+++ b/gradle.properties
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-version=23.7.4-SNAPSHOT
+version=23.10.0-RC
 
 org.gradle.welcome=never
 # Set exports/opens flags required by Google Java Format and ErrorProne plugins. (JEP-396)