diff --git a/MODULE.bazel b/MODULE.bazel
index a375b2ec05..0ca2b763bf 100644
--- a/MODULE.bazel
+++ b/MODULE.bazel
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ module(
     name = "grpc-java",
     compatibility_level = 0,
     repo_name = "io_grpc_grpc_java",
-    version = "1.68.2-SNAPSHOT",  # CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    version = "1.68.2",  # CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 )
 
 # GRPC_DEPS_START
diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 28299fce3e..22ae861c51 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ subprojects {
     apply plugin: "net.ltgt.errorprone"
 
     group = "io.grpc"
-    version = "1.68.2-SNAPSHOT" // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    version = "1.68.2" // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 
     repositories {
         maven { // The google mirror is less flaky than mavenCentral()
diff --git a/compiler/src/test/golden/TestDeprecatedService.java.txt b/compiler/src/test/golden/TestDeprecatedService.java.txt
index d0c354e49e..729bbec200 100644
--- a/compiler/src/test/golden/TestDeprecatedService.java.txt
+++ b/compiler/src/test/golden/TestDeprecatedService.java.txt
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import static io.grpc.MethodDescriptor.generateFullMethodName;
  * </pre>
  */
 @javax.annotation.Generated(
-    value = "by gRPC proto compiler (version 1.68.2-SNAPSHOT)",
+    value = "by gRPC proto compiler (version 1.68.2)",
     comments = "Source: grpc/testing/compiler/test.proto")
 @io.grpc.stub.annotations.GrpcGenerated
 @java.lang.Deprecated
diff --git a/compiler/src/test/golden/TestService.java.txt b/compiler/src/test/golden/TestService.java.txt
index 4919c051da..b65b3f43e2 100644
--- a/compiler/src/test/golden/TestService.java.txt
+++ b/compiler/src/test/golden/TestService.java.txt
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import static io.grpc.MethodDescriptor.generateFullMethodName;
  * </pre>
  */
 @javax.annotation.Generated(
-    value = "by gRPC proto compiler (version 1.68.2-SNAPSHOT)",
+    value = "by gRPC proto compiler (version 1.68.2)",
     comments = "Source: grpc/testing/compiler/test.proto")
 @io.grpc.stub.annotations.GrpcGenerated
 public final class TestServiceGrpc {
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/io/grpc/internal/GrpcUtil.java b/core/src/main/java/io/grpc/internal/GrpcUtil.java
index 79df098d03..d8654a6774 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/io/grpc/internal/GrpcUtil.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/io/grpc/internal/GrpcUtil.java
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ public final class GrpcUtil {
 
   public static final Splitter ACCEPT_ENCODING_SPLITTER = Splitter.on(',').trimResults();
 
-  public static final String IMPLEMENTATION_VERSION = "1.68.2-SNAPSHOT"; // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+  public static final String IMPLEMENTATION_VERSION = "1.68.2"; // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 
   /**
    * The default timeout in nanos for a keepalive ping request.
diff --git a/examples/MODULE.bazel b/examples/MODULE.bazel
index 0cf3c45988..ddb26a5bf3 100644
--- a/examples/MODULE.bazel
+++ b/examples/MODULE.bazel
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 bazel_dep(name = "googleapis", repo_name = "com_google_googleapis", version = "0.0.0-20240326-1c8d509c5")
-bazel_dep(name = "grpc-java", repo_name = "io_grpc_grpc_java", version = "1.68.2-SNAPSHOT")  # CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+bazel_dep(name = "grpc-java", repo_name = "io_grpc_grpc_java", version = "1.68.2")  # CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 bazel_dep(name = "grpc-proto", repo_name = "io_grpc_grpc_proto", version = "0.0.0-20240627-ec30f58")
 bazel_dep(name = "protobuf", repo_name = "com_google_protobuf", version = "23.1")
 bazel_dep(name = "rules_jvm_external", version = "6.0")
diff --git a/examples/android/clientcache/app/build.gradle b/examples/android/clientcache/app/build.gradle
index 8c6b557104..0214dc7c83 100644
--- a/examples/android/clientcache/app/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/android/clientcache/app/build.gradle
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ android {
 protobuf {
     protoc { artifact = 'com.google.protobuf:protoc:3.25.1' }
     plugins {
-        grpc { artifact = 'io.grpc:protoc-gen-grpc-java:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+        grpc { artifact = 'io.grpc:protoc-gen-grpc-java:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
         }
     }
     generateProtoTasks {
@@ -54,12 +54,12 @@ dependencies {
     implementation 'androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.0.0'
 
     // You need to build grpc-java to obtain these libraries below.
-    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-okhttp:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
-    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-protobuf-lite:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
-    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-stub:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-okhttp:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-protobuf-lite:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-stub:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
     implementation 'org.apache.tomcat:annotations-api:6.0.53'
 
     testImplementation 'junit:junit:4.13.2'
     testImplementation 'com.google.truth:truth:1.1.5'
-    testImplementation 'io.grpc:grpc-testing:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    testImplementation 'io.grpc:grpc-testing:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 }
diff --git a/examples/android/helloworld/app/build.gradle b/examples/android/helloworld/app/build.gradle
index a3855a6f3a..acdde42dde 100644
--- a/examples/android/helloworld/app/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/android/helloworld/app/build.gradle
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ android {
 protobuf {
     protoc { artifact = 'com.google.protobuf:protoc:3.25.1' }
     plugins {
-        grpc { artifact = 'io.grpc:protoc-gen-grpc-java:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+        grpc { artifact = 'io.grpc:protoc-gen-grpc-java:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
         }
     }
     generateProtoTasks {
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ dependencies {
     implementation 'androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.0.0'
 
     // You need to build grpc-java to obtain these libraries below.
-    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-okhttp:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
-    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-protobuf-lite:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
-    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-stub:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-okhttp:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-protobuf-lite:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-stub:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
     implementation 'org.apache.tomcat:annotations-api:6.0.53'
 }
diff --git a/examples/android/routeguide/app/build.gradle b/examples/android/routeguide/app/build.gradle
index ffd7bf2b09..9918b045d9 100644
--- a/examples/android/routeguide/app/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/android/routeguide/app/build.gradle
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ android {
 protobuf {
     protoc { artifact = 'com.google.protobuf:protoc:3.25.1' }
     plugins {
-        grpc { artifact = 'io.grpc:protoc-gen-grpc-java:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+        grpc { artifact = 'io.grpc:protoc-gen-grpc-java:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
         }
     }
     generateProtoTasks {
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ dependencies {
     implementation 'androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.0.0'
 
     // You need to build grpc-java to obtain these libraries below.
-    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-okhttp:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
-    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-protobuf-lite:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
-    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-stub:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-okhttp:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-protobuf-lite:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-stub:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
     implementation 'org.apache.tomcat:annotations-api:6.0.53'
 }
diff --git a/examples/android/strictmode/app/build.gradle b/examples/android/strictmode/app/build.gradle
index 9cd80bc261..ac41afafb5 100644
--- a/examples/android/strictmode/app/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/android/strictmode/app/build.gradle
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ android {
 protobuf {
     protoc { artifact = 'com.google.protobuf:protoc:3.25.1' }
     plugins {
-        grpc { artifact = 'io.grpc:protoc-gen-grpc-java:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+        grpc { artifact = 'io.grpc:protoc-gen-grpc-java:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
         }
     }
     generateProtoTasks {
@@ -53,8 +53,8 @@ dependencies {
     implementation 'androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.0.0'
 
     // You need to build grpc-java to obtain these libraries below.
-    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-okhttp:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
-    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-protobuf-lite:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
-    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-stub:1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-okhttp:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-protobuf-lite:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+    implementation 'io.grpc:grpc-stub:1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
     implementation 'org.apache.tomcat:annotations-api:6.0.53'
 }
diff --git a/examples/build.gradle b/examples/build.gradle
index 8057b28e5c..73884aaff6 100644
--- a/examples/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/build.gradle
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ java {
 
 // Feel free to delete the comment at the next line. It is just for safely
 // updating the version in our release process.
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protobufVersion = '3.25.5'
 def protocVersion = protobufVersion
 
diff --git a/examples/example-alts/build.gradle b/examples/example-alts/build.gradle
index 08251f756d..03fac75552 100644
--- a/examples/example-alts/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-alts/build.gradle
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ java {
 
 // Feel free to delete the comment at the next line. It is just for safely
 // updating the version in our release process.
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protocVersion = '3.25.5'
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/examples/example-debug/build.gradle b/examples/example-debug/build.gradle
index 12d69e4aaf..f463f3c0a5 100644
--- a/examples/example-debug/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-debug/build.gradle
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ java {
 
 // Feel free to delete the comment at the next line. It is just for safely
 // updating the version in our release process.
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protobufVersion = '3.25.5'
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/examples/example-debug/pom.xml b/examples/example-debug/pom.xml
index 2a6bd55b5a..f8becc04c9 100644
--- a/examples/example-debug/pom.xml
+++ b/examples/example-debug/pom.xml
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
   <!-- Feel free to delete the comment at the end of these lines. It is just
        for safely updating the version in our release process. -->
-  <version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+  <version>1.68.2</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
   <name>example-debug</name>
   <url>https://github.com/grpc/grpc-java</url>
 
   <properties>
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
-    <grpc.version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+    <grpc.version>1.68.2</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
     <protoc.version>3.25.5</protoc.version>
     <!-- required for jdk9 -->
     <maven.compiler.source>1.8</maven.compiler.source>
diff --git a/examples/example-dualstack/build.gradle b/examples/example-dualstack/build.gradle
index ea23e81148..0578b39135 100644
--- a/examples/example-dualstack/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-dualstack/build.gradle
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ java {
 
 // Feel free to delete the comment at the next line. It is just for safely
 // updating the version in our release process.
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protobufVersion = '3.25.5'
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/examples/example-dualstack/pom.xml b/examples/example-dualstack/pom.xml
index edd11a310c..2969e790f6 100644
--- a/examples/example-dualstack/pom.xml
+++ b/examples/example-dualstack/pom.xml
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
   <!-- Feel free to delete the comment at the end of these lines. It is just
        for safely updating the version in our release process. -->
-  <version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+  <version>1.68.2</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
   <name>example-dualstack</name>
   <url>https://github.com/grpc/grpc-java</url>
 
   <properties>
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
-    <grpc.version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+    <grpc.version>1.68.2</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
     <protoc.version>3.25.5</protoc.version>
     <!-- required for jdk9 -->
     <maven.compiler.source>1.8</maven.compiler.source>
diff --git a/examples/example-gauth/build.gradle b/examples/example-gauth/build.gradle
index 2ac243cc96..2eb74d1106 100644
--- a/examples/example-gauth/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-gauth/build.gradle
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ java {
 
 // Feel free to delete the comment at the next line. It is just for safely
 // updating the version in our release process.
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protobufVersion = '3.25.5'
 def protocVersion = protobufVersion
 
diff --git a/examples/example-gauth/pom.xml b/examples/example-gauth/pom.xml
index bbb6d0dfe3..08d37bb8a2 100644
--- a/examples/example-gauth/pom.xml
+++ b/examples/example-gauth/pom.xml
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
   <!-- Feel free to delete the comment at the end of these lines. It is just
        for safely updating the version in our release process. -->
-  <version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+  <version>1.68.2</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
   <name>example-gauth</name>
   <url>https://github.com/grpc/grpc-java</url>
 
   <properties>
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
-    <grpc.version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+    <grpc.version>1.68.2</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
     <protobuf.version>3.25.5</protobuf.version>
     <!-- required for jdk9 -->
     <maven.compiler.source>1.8</maven.compiler.source>
diff --git a/examples/example-gcp-csm-observability/build.gradle b/examples/example-gcp-csm-observability/build.gradle
index 10891c9b17..4f079fdb33 100644
--- a/examples/example-gcp-csm-observability/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-gcp-csm-observability/build.gradle
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ java {
 
 // Feel free to delete the comment at the next line. It is just for safely
 // updating the version in our release process.
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protocVersion = '3.25.5'
 def openTelemetryVersion = '1.40.0'
 def openTelemetryPrometheusVersion = '1.40.0-alpha'
diff --git a/examples/example-gcp-observability/build.gradle b/examples/example-gcp-observability/build.gradle
index e88fe565e1..307fb2244c 100644
--- a/examples/example-gcp-observability/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-gcp-observability/build.gradle
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ java {
 
 // Feel free to delete the comment at the next line. It is just for safely
 // updating the version in our release process.
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protocVersion = '3.25.5'
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/examples/example-hostname/build.gradle b/examples/example-hostname/build.gradle
index 78acd2693a..0125a3f0a2 100644
--- a/examples/example-hostname/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-hostname/build.gradle
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ java {
 
 // Feel free to delete the comment at the next line. It is just for safely
 // updating the version in our release process.
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protobufVersion = '3.25.5'
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/examples/example-hostname/pom.xml b/examples/example-hostname/pom.xml
index d298050646..b7b6e2228d 100644
--- a/examples/example-hostname/pom.xml
+++ b/examples/example-hostname/pom.xml
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
   <!-- Feel free to delete the comment at the end of these lines. It is just
        for safely updating the version in our release process. -->
-  <version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+  <version>1.68.2</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
   <name>example-hostname</name>
   <url>https://github.com/grpc/grpc-java</url>
 
   <properties>
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
-    <grpc.version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+    <grpc.version>1.68.2</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
     <protoc.version>3.25.5</protoc.version>
     <!-- required for jdk9 -->
     <maven.compiler.source>1.8</maven.compiler.source>
diff --git a/examples/example-jwt-auth/build.gradle b/examples/example-jwt-auth/build.gradle
index 88045e90fc..8371731cee 100644
--- a/examples/example-jwt-auth/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-jwt-auth/build.gradle
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ java {
 
 // Feel free to delete the comment at the next line. It is just for safely
 // updating the version in our release process.
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protobufVersion = '3.25.5'
 def protocVersion = protobufVersion
 
diff --git a/examples/example-jwt-auth/pom.xml b/examples/example-jwt-auth/pom.xml
index e9dd1d5428..e32b5e701d 100644
--- a/examples/example-jwt-auth/pom.xml
+++ b/examples/example-jwt-auth/pom.xml
@@ -7,13 +7,13 @@
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
   <!-- Feel free to delete the comment at the end of these lines. It is just
        for safely updating the version in our release process. -->
-  <version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+  <version>1.68.2</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
   <name>example-jwt-auth</name>
   <url>https://github.com/grpc/grpc-java</url>
 
   <properties>
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
-    <grpc.version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+    <grpc.version>1.68.2</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
     <protobuf.version>3.25.5</protobuf.version>
     <protoc.version>3.25.5</protoc.version>
     <!-- required for jdk9 -->
diff --git a/examples/example-oauth/build.gradle b/examples/example-oauth/build.gradle
index 28fc333be4..797fc30417 100644
--- a/examples/example-oauth/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-oauth/build.gradle
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ java {
 
 // Feel free to delete the comment at the next line. It is just for safely
 // updating the version in our release process.
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protobufVersion = '3.25.5'
 def protocVersion = protobufVersion
 
diff --git a/examples/example-oauth/pom.xml b/examples/example-oauth/pom.xml
index bdb76ca196..e6b2dc52a8 100644
--- a/examples/example-oauth/pom.xml
+++ b/examples/example-oauth/pom.xml
@@ -7,13 +7,13 @@
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
   <!-- Feel free to delete the comment at the end of these lines. It is just
        for safely updating the version in our release process. -->
-  <version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+  <version>1.68.2</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
   <name>example-oauth</name>
   <url>https://github.com/grpc/grpc-java</url>
 
   <properties>
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
-    <grpc.version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+    <grpc.version>1.68.2</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
     <protobuf.version>3.25.5</protobuf.version>
     <protoc.version>3.25.5</protoc.version>
     <!-- required for jdk9 -->
diff --git a/examples/example-opentelemetry/build.gradle b/examples/example-opentelemetry/build.gradle
index 688d524642..9bfdf3ebb9 100644
--- a/examples/example-opentelemetry/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-opentelemetry/build.gradle
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ java {
 
 // Feel free to delete the comment at the next line. It is just for safely
 // updating the version in our release process.
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protocVersion = '3.25.5'
 def openTelemetryVersion = '1.40.0'
 def openTelemetryPrometheusVersion = '1.40.0-alpha'
diff --git a/examples/example-orca/build.gradle b/examples/example-orca/build.gradle
index 0f4d6e47fc..55f3349696 100644
--- a/examples/example-orca/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-orca/build.gradle
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ java {
     targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
 }
 
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protocVersion = '3.25.5'
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/examples/example-reflection/build.gradle b/examples/example-reflection/build.gradle
index 23d303f5a8..ab85683f3b 100644
--- a/examples/example-reflection/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-reflection/build.gradle
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ java {
     targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
 }
 
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protocVersion = '3.25.5'
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/examples/example-servlet/build.gradle b/examples/example-servlet/build.gradle
index 0e9843db18..beb29e570e 100644
--- a/examples/example-servlet/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-servlet/build.gradle
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ java {
     targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
 }
 
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protocVersion = '3.25.5'
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/examples/example-tls/build.gradle b/examples/example-tls/build.gradle
index 6ed8f64966..cd17b3c1c3 100644
--- a/examples/example-tls/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-tls/build.gradle
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ java {
 
 // Feel free to delete the comment at the next line. It is just for safely
 // updating the version in our release process.
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protocVersion = '3.25.5'
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/examples/example-tls/pom.xml b/examples/example-tls/pom.xml
index bd33a98b7b..49836ac61e 100644
--- a/examples/example-tls/pom.xml
+++ b/examples/example-tls/pom.xml
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
   <!-- Feel free to delete the comment at the end of these lines. It is just
        for safely updating the version in our release process. -->
-  <version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+  <version>1.68.2</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
   <name>example-tls</name>
   <url>https://github.com/grpc/grpc-java</url>
 
   <properties>
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
-    <grpc.version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+    <grpc.version>1.68.2</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
     <protoc.version>3.25.5</protoc.version>
     <!-- required for jdk9 -->
     <maven.compiler.source>1.8</maven.compiler.source>
diff --git a/examples/example-xds/build.gradle b/examples/example-xds/build.gradle
index 1e28399d3e..92fcbd4206 100644
--- a/examples/example-xds/build.gradle
+++ b/examples/example-xds/build.gradle
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ java {
 
 // Feel free to delete the comment at the next line. It is just for safely
 // updating the version in our release process.
-def grpcVersion = '1.68.2-SNAPSHOT' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
+def grpcVersion = '1.68.2' // CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION
 def protocVersion = '3.25.5'
 
 dependencies {
diff --git a/examples/pom.xml b/examples/pom.xml
index f172175a37..b6ed347968 100644
--- a/examples/pom.xml
+++ b/examples/pom.xml
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
   <!-- Feel free to delete the comment at the end of these lines. It is just
        for safely updating the version in our release process. -->
-  <version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+  <version>1.68.2</version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
   <name>examples</name>
   <url>https://github.com/grpc/grpc-java</url>
 
   <properties>
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
-    <grpc.version>1.68.2-SNAPSHOT</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
+    <grpc.version>1.68.2</grpc.version><!-- CURRENT_GRPC_VERSION -->
     <protobuf.version>3.25.5</protobuf.version>
     <protoc.version>3.25.5</protoc.version>
     <!-- required for JDK 8 -->