diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 058632c4b..944d08c2b 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ project(eosio_contracts)
 set(VERSION_MAJOR 1)
 set(VERSION_MINOR 9)
 set(VERSION_PATCH 0)
-set(VERSION_SUFFIX rc2)
+set(VERSION_SUFFIX rc3)
 
 if (VERSION_SUFFIX)
    set(VERSION_FULL "${VERSION_MAJOR}.${VERSION_MINOR}.${VERSION_PATCH}-${VERSION_SUFFIX}")
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 482359d6a..4649af9d1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # eosio.contracts
 
-## Version : 1.9.0-rc2
+## Version : 1.9.0-rc3
 
 The design of the EOSIO blockchain calls for a number of smart contracts that are run at a privileged permission level in order to support functions such as block producer registration and voting, token staking for CPU and network bandwidth, RAM purchasing, multi-sig, etc.  These smart contracts are referred to as the bios, system, msig, wrap (formerly known as sudo) and token contracts.