NEAR ships nearcore 2.14.0 release candidate with protocol and database upgrade

NEAR has released nearcore 2.14.0rc.1, the first release candidate for its next node software update. The build includes both a protocol upgrade and a database upgrade, making it an important release for validators and other node operators. The changelog includes several network changes, such as removing contract gas rewards, limiting the combined size of resolved promise inputs, and adding an mldsaverify host function so smart contracts can verify MLDSA65 signatures onchain. The signature feature is based on a postquantum standard, but it does not make the network fully quantumresistant. Because this is still a release candidate, NEAR developers are using it for testing before a final stable version is promoted. The update is mainly relevant to infrastructure operators, since they need compatible software ahead of any protocol activation to remain in consensus.