diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7cb179c8..4198fa9d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ See https://github.com/42wim/matterbridge/wiki
 
 ### Binaries
 
-- Latest stable release [v1.16.5](https://github.com/42wim/matterbridge/releases/latest)
+- Latest stable release [v1.17.0](https://github.com/42wim/matterbridge/releases/latest)
 - Development releases (follows master) can be downloaded [here](https://dl.bintray.com/42wim/nightly/)
 
 To install or upgrade just download the latest [binary](https://github.com/42wim/matterbridge/releases/latest) and follow the instructions on the [howto](https://github.com/42wim/matterbridge/wiki/How-to-create-your-config) for a step by step walkthrough for creating your configuration.
diff --git a/changelog.md b/changelog.md
index 1c2e2f4f..e97c73c7 100644
--- a/changelog.md
+++ b/changelog.md
@@ -1,3 +1,38 @@
+# v1.17.0
+
+## New features
+
+- msteams: new protocol added. Add initial Microsoft Teams support #967
+  See https://github.com/42wim/matterbridge/wiki/MS-Teams-setup for a complete walkthrough
+- discord: Add ability to procure avatars from the destination bridge #1000
+- matrix: Add support for avatars from matrix. #1007
+- general: support JSON and YAML config formats #1045
+
+## Enhancements
+
+- discord: Check only bridged channels for PermManageWebhooks #1001
+- irc: Be less lossy when throttling IRC messages #1004
+- keybase: updated library #1002, #1019
+- matrix: Rebase gomatrix vendor with upstream #1006
+- slack: Use upstream slack-go/slack again #1018
+- slack: Ignore ConnectingEvent #1041
+- slack: use blocks not attachments #1048
+- sshchat: Update vendor shazow/ssh-chat #1029
+- telegram: added markdownv2 mode for telegram #1037
+- whatsapp: Implement basic reconnect (whatsapp). Fixes #987 #1003
+
+## Bugfix
+
+- discord: Fix webhook permission checks sometimes failing #1043
+- discord: Fix #1027: warning when handling inbound webhooks #1044
+- discord: Fix duplicate separator on empty description/url (discord) #1035
+- matrix: Fix issue with underscores in links #999
+- slack: Fix #1039: messages sent to Slack being synced back #1046
+- telegram: Make avatars download work with mediaserverdownload (telegram). Fixes #920 
+
+This release couldn't exist without the following contributors:
+@qaisjp, @jakubgs, @burner1024, @notpushkin, @MartijnBraam, @42wim
+
 # v1.16.5
 
 - Fix version bump
diff --git a/matterbridge.go b/matterbridge.go
index 8d5cba69..7d1f6284 100644
--- a/matterbridge.go
+++ b/matterbridge.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 var (
-	version = "1.16.6-dev"
+	version = "1.17.0"
 	githash string
 
 	flagConfig  = flag.String("conf", "matterbridge.toml", "config file")