diff --git a/README.adoc b/README.adoc
index 998f347d7..a01435a65 100644
--- a/README.adoc
+++ b/README.adoc
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 :project-repo:    maven
 :project-name:    kordamp-gradle-plugins
 :project-group:   org.kordamp.gradle
-:project-version: 0.52.0
+:project-version: 0.53.0
 :plugin-id:       {project-group}.base
 
 image:http://img.shields.io/github/actions/workflow/status/{project-owner}/{project-name}/early-access.yml?branch=master&logo=github&label=Build["Build Status", link="https://github.com/{project-owner}/{project-name}/actions"]
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index ef633d1ee..7f422a161 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.53.0-SNAPSHOT
+0.53.0