diff --git a/casper-node_release b/casper-node_release
index 3fe27d4..c393fd3 100644
--- a/casper-node_release
+++ b/casper-node_release
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.5.5-3c2e7a3
\ No newline at end of file
+1.5.6-9f3995853204a18f17de9c022233d22aa14b9c37
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/config/CHANGELOG.md b/config/CHANGELOG.md
index bbcde50..6eeb6e3 100644
--- a/config/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/config/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -11,7 +11,107 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/).
 [comment]: <> (Fixed:      any bug fixes)
 [comment]: <> (Security:   in case of vulnerabilities)
 
-## 1.5.5 - 12150
+## 1.5.6 - 12268 (from 1.5.3)
+### casper-node 1.5.6 9f3995853204a18f17de9c022233d22aa14b9c37
+
+## Removed
+* config-example.toml
+  * node
+    * sync_to_genesis
+  * network
+    * estimator_weights
+      * gossip
+      * finality_signatures
+
+## Changed
+* config-example.toml
+  * node
+    * prevent_validator_shutdown
+
+* chainspec.toml
+  * protocol
+    * version
+    * activation_point
+  * core
+    * minimum_block_time
+    * locked_funds_period
+    * vesting_schedule_period
+    * round_seigniorage_rate
+  * highway
+    * maximum_round_length
+  * deploys
+    * max_ttl
+    * max_block_size
+    * block_max_deploy_count
+    * block_max_transfer_count
+    * block_gas_limit
+  * wasm
+    * storage_costs
+      * gas_per_byte
+    * host_function_costs
+      * add_associated_key
+      * add_contract_version
+      * blake2b
+      * call_contract
+      * call_versioned_contract
+      * get_balance
+      * get_named_arg
+      * put_key
+      * read_value
+      * remove_contract_user_group_urefs
+      * transfer_from_purse_to_purse
+    * opcode_costs
+      * control_flow
+        * br
+        * br_if
+        * call
+        * call_indirect
+        * br_table
+          * cost
+
+## Added
+* config-example.toml
+  * node
+    * sync_handling
+  * network
+    * estimator_weights
+      * block_gossip
+      * deploy_gossip
+      * finality_signature_gossip
+      * address_gossip
+      * finality_signature_broadcasts
+      * legacy_deploy_requests
+      * legacy_deploy_responses
+      * block_header_requests
+      * block_header_responses
+      * finality_signature_requests
+      * finality_signature_responses
+      * sync_leap_requests
+      * sync_leap_responses
+      * sync_leap_requests
+      * sync_leap_responses
+      * approvals_hashes_requests
+      * approvals_hashes_responses
+      * execution_results_requests
+      * execution_results_responses
+    * rpc_server
+      * qps_limit
+* chainspec.toml
+  * core
+    * allow_unrestricted_transfers
+    * allow_auction_bids
+    * compute_rewards
+    * refund_handling
+    * fee_handling
+    * administrators
+  * highway
+    * performance_meter
+      * blocks_to_consider
+  * wasm
+    * host_function_costs
+      * enable_contract_version
+
+## 1.5.5 - 12150 (deferred to 1.5.6)
 ### casper-node 1.5.5-3c2e7a3
 
 ## Removed
@@ -23,7 +123,7 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/).
       * gossip
       * finality_signatures
 
-## Changes
+## Changed
 * chainspec.toml
   * protocol
     * version
diff --git a/config/chainspec.toml b/config/chainspec.toml
index 9757150..09f6623 100644
--- a/config/chainspec.toml
+++ b/config/chainspec.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [protocol]
 # Protocol version.
-version = '1.5.5'
+version = '1.5.6'
 # Whether we need to clear latest blocks back to the switch block just before the activation point or not.
 hard_reset = true
 # This protocol version becomes active at this point.
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ hard_reset = true
 # in contract-runtime for computing genesis post-state hash.
 #
 # If it is an integer, it represents an era ID, meaning the protocol version becomes active at the start of this era.
-activation_point = 12150
+activation_point = 12509
 
 [network]
 # Human readable name for convenience; the genesis_hash is the true identifier.  The name influences the genesis hash by
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ blocks_to_consider = 10
 # The maximum number of Motes allowed to be spent during payment.  0 means unlimited.
 max_payment_cost = '0'
 # The duration after the deploy timestamp that it can be included in a block.
-max_ttl = '18 hours'
+max_ttl = '2 hours'
 # The maximum number of other deploys a deploy can depend on (require to have been executed before it can execute).
 max_dependencies = 10
 # Maximum block size in bytes including deploys contained by the block.  0 means unlimited.
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ max_stack_height = 500
 
 [wasm.storage_costs]
 # Gas charged per byte stored in the global state.
-gas_per_byte = 630_000
+gas_per_byte = 1_117_587
 
 [wasm.opcode_costs]
 # Bit operations multiplier.
@@ -215,21 +215,21 @@ size_multiplier = 100
 # Host function declarations are located in smart_contracts/contract/src/ext_ffi.rs
 [wasm.host_function_costs]
 add = { cost = 5_800, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0] }
-add_associated_key = { cost = 9_000, arguments = [0, 0, 0] }
-add_contract_version = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] }
-blake2b = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0] }
-call_contract = { cost = 4_500, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 420, 0] }
-call_versioned_contract = { cost = 4_500, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 420, 0] }
+add_associated_key = { cost = 1_200_000, arguments = [0, 0, 0] }
+add_contract_version = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0, 120_000, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] }
+blake2b = { cost = 1_200_000, arguments = [0, 120_000, 0, 0] }
+call_contract = { cost = 300_000_000, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 120_000, 0, 120_000, 0] }
+call_versioned_contract = { cost = 300_000_000, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 120_000, 0, 120_000, 0] }
 create_contract_package_at_hash = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 0] }
 create_contract_user_group = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] }
 create_purse = { cost = 2_500_000_000, arguments = [0, 0] }
 disable_contract_version = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0] }
-get_balance = { cost = 3_800, arguments = [0, 0, 0] }
+get_balance = { cost = 3_000_000, arguments = [0, 0, 0] }
 get_blocktime = { cost = 330, arguments = [0] }
 get_caller = { cost = 380, arguments = [0] }
 get_key = { cost = 2_000, arguments = [0, 440, 0, 0, 0] }
 get_main_purse = { cost = 1_300, arguments = [0] }
-get_named_arg = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0] }
+get_named_arg = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 120_000, 0, 120_000] }
 get_named_arg_size = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 0, 0] }
 get_phase = { cost = 710, arguments = [0] }
 get_system_contract = { cost = 1_100, arguments = [0, 0, 0] }
@@ -240,19 +240,19 @@ new_uref = { cost = 17_000, arguments = [0, 0, 590] }
 random_bytes = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 0] }
 print = { cost = 20_000, arguments = [0, 4_600] }
 provision_contract_user_group_uref = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0] }
-put_key = { cost = 38_000, arguments = [0, 1_100, 0, 0] }
+put_key = { cost = 100_000_000, arguments = [0, 120_000, 0, 120_000] }
 read_host_buffer = { cost = 3_500, arguments = [0, 310, 0] }
-read_value = { cost = 6_000, arguments = [0, 0, 0] }
+read_value = { cost = 60_000, arguments = [0, 120_000, 0] }
 read_value_local = { cost = 5_500, arguments = [0, 590, 0] }
 remove_associated_key = { cost = 4_200, arguments = [0, 0] }
 remove_contract_user_group = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0] }
-remove_contract_user_group_urefs = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] }
+remove_contract_user_group_urefs = { cost = 200, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 120_000] }
 remove_key = { cost = 61_000, arguments = [0, 3_200] }
 ret = { cost = 23_000, arguments = [0, 420_000] }
 revert = { cost = 500, arguments = [0] }
 set_action_threshold = { cost = 74_000, arguments = [0, 0] }
 transfer_from_purse_to_account = { cost = 2_500_000_000, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] }
-transfer_from_purse_to_purse = { cost = 82_000, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] }
+transfer_from_purse_to_purse = { cost = 82_000_000, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] }
 transfer_to_account = { cost = 2_500_000_000, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] }
 update_associated_key = { cost = 4_200, arguments = [0, 0, 0] }
 write = { cost = 14_000, arguments = [0, 0, 0, 980] }
diff --git a/config/config-example.toml b/config/config-example.toml
index 4ee8a19..8d9ba81 100644
--- a/config/config-example.toml
+++ b/config/config-example.toml
@@ -36,6 +36,17 @@ shutdown_for_upgrade_timeout = '2 minutes'
 # Maximum time a node will wait for an upgrade to commit.
 upgrade_timeout = '30 seconds'
 
+# The node detects when it should do a controlled shutdown when it is in a detectably bad state
+# in order to avoid potentially catastrophic uncontrolled crashes. Generally, a node should be
+# allowed to shutdown, and if restarted that node will generally recover gracefully and resume
+# normal operation. However, actively validating nodes have subjective state in memory that is
+# lost on shutdown / restart and must be reacquired from other validating nodes on restart.
+# If all validating nodes shutdown in the middle of an era, social consensus is required to restart
+# the network. As a mitigation for that, the following config can be set to true on some validator
+# nodes to cause nodes that are supposed to be validators in the current era to ignore controlled
+# shutdown events and stay up. This allows them to act as sentinels for the consensus data for
+# other restarting nodes. This config is inert on non-validating nodes.
+prevent_validator_shutdown = false
 
 # =================================
 # Configuration options for logging
@@ -176,7 +187,7 @@ bind_address = '0.0.0.0:35000'
 #
 # Multiple addresses can be given and the node will attempt to connect to each, requiring at least
 # one connection.
-known_addresses = ['34.192.231.34:35000','168.119.137.143:35000','46.101.61.107:35000','47.88.87.63:35000','35.152.42.229:35000','18.219.70.138:35000','3.221.194.62:35000','99.81.225.72:35000','63.33.251.206:35000','54.180.220.20:35000','188.40.83.254:35000','157.90.131.121:35000','13.51.218.68:35000','15.235.53.173:35000','15.235.53.233:35000','178.162.231.183:35000','71.105.223.69:35000','84.16.224.170:35000','88.218.224.93:35000','15.235.14.86:35000','15.235.53.230:35000','188.40.16.94:35000','65.108.101.62:35000','65.21.129.12:35000','3.17.72.47:35000','162.19.171.49:35000','185.132.178.196:35000','65.108.69.41:35000']
+known_addresses = ['34.192.231.34:35000','168.119.137.143:35000','46.101.61.107:35000','47.88.87.63:35000','35.152.42.229:35000','18.219.70.138:35000','99.81.225.72:35000','63.33.251.206:35000','54.180.220.20:35000','13.51.218.68:35000','15.235.53.173:35000','15.235.53.233:35000','178.162.231.183:35000','71.105.223.69:35000','84.16.224.170:35000','88.218.224.93:35000','15.235.14.86:35000','15.235.53.230:35000','188.40.16.94:35000','65.108.101.62:35000','3.17.72.47:35000','162.19.171.49:35000']
 
 # Minimum number of fully-connected peers to consider network component initialized.
 min_peers_for_initialization = 3
diff --git a/protocol_versions b/protocol_versions
index 1cc0bdb..c5bac08 100644
--- a/protocol_versions
+++ b/protocol_versions
@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 1_5_3
-1_5_5
\ No newline at end of file
+1_5_5
+1_5_6
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/stage_upgrade.sh b/stage_upgrade.sh
index 5c59be9..f8b2359 100755
--- a/stage_upgrade.sh
+++ b/stage_upgrade.sh
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 set -e
 
-# This script will stage the upgrade files for casper network from 1.5.3 to 1.5.5
+# This script will stage the upgrade files for casper network from 1.5.3 to 1.5.6
 
 if [ "$(whoami)" != "root" ]; then
   echo
@@ -12,11 +12,15 @@ if [ "$(whoami)" != "root" ]; then
   exit 1
 fi
 
-if [[ -d "/etc/casper/1_5_5" ]]; then
-   echo "Upgrade 1.5.5 already staged."
+if [[ -d "/etc/casper/1_5_6" ]]; then
+   echo "Upgrade 1.5.6 already staged."
    exit 0
 fi
 
+# delete previously staged 1_5_5 to replace with current faked 1_5_5 to jump to 1_5_6
+rm /etc/casper/1_5_5 || true
+rm /var/lib/casper/bin/1_5_5 || true
+
 CNL_VERSION=$(casper-node-launcher --version | cut -d' ' -f4)
 
 # Format of the arguments to pull_casper_node_version.sh script changed to allow conf
@@ -29,13 +33,16 @@ else
   if [ $CNL_VERSION == "0.3.2" ]; then
      echo "casper-node-launcher version 0.3.2, using old syntax."
      sudo -u casper /etc/casper/pull_casper_node_version.sh 1_5_5 casper
+     sudo -u casper /etc/casper/pull_casper_node_version.sh 1_5_6 casper
   else
      echo "casper-node-launcher version 0.3.3+, using conf syntax."
      sudo -u casper /etc/casper/pull_casper_node_version.sh casper.conf 1_5_5
+     sudo -u casper /etc/casper/pull_casper_node_version.sh casper.conf 1_5_6
   fi
   sudo -u casper /etc/casper/config_from_example.sh 1_5_5
+  sudo -u casper /etc/casper/config_from_example.sh 1_5_6
 fi
-echo "Upgrade 1_5_5 staged."
+echo "Upgrade 1_5_6 staged."
 
 
 exit 0
\ No newline at end of file