diff --git a/.release-please-manifest.json b/.release-please-manifest.json
index 7c49482..d823295 100644
--- a/.release-please-manifest.json
+++ b/.release-please-manifest.json
@@ -1 +1 @@
-{".":"2.1.5"}
+{".":"2.1.6"}
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 2f83596..104e648 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,12 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## [2.1.6](https://github.com/MapColonies/nginx/compare/v2.1.5...v2.1.6) (2026-04-26)
+
+
+### Helm Changes
+
+* pass trace context to backend ([#45](https://github.com/MapColonies/nginx/issues/45)) ([79cda9e](https://github.com/MapColonies/nginx/commit/79cda9e9bca0bf5b122719f1883de2ea6dc66beb))
+
 ## [2.1.5](https://github.com/MapColonies/nginx/compare/v2.1.4...v2.1.5) (2026-04-16)
 
 
diff --git a/helm/Chart.yaml b/helm/Chart.yaml
index 4425dcc..bdd4e6b 100644
--- a/helm/Chart.yaml
+++ b/helm/Chart.yaml
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ apiVersion: v2
 name: nginx
 description: A Helm chart for nginx
 type: application
-version: 2.1.5
-appVersion: 2.1.5
+version: 2.1.6
+appVersion: 2.1.6
 annotations:
   domain: common
 dependencies:
diff --git a/helm/values.md b/helm/values.md
index 0184605..d927b5e 100644
--- a/helm/values.md
+++ b/helm/values.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # nginx
 
-![Version: 2.1.5](https://img.shields.io/badge/Version-2.1.5-informational?style=flat-square) ![Type: application](https://img.shields.io/badge/Type-application-informational?style=flat-square) ![AppVersion: 2.1.5](https://img.shields.io/badge/AppVersion-2.1.5-informational?style=flat-square)
+![Version: 2.1.6](https://img.shields.io/badge/Version-2.1.6-informational?style=flat-square) ![Type: application](https://img.shields.io/badge/Type-application-informational?style=flat-square) ![AppVersion: 2.1.6](https://img.shields.io/badge/AppVersion-2.1.6-informational?style=flat-square)
 
 A Helm chart for nginx