YugabyteDB has released version 1.3.0, shipping with 24 new features, enhancements, and bug fixes, as well as open sourcing the entire core database code, which includes previously closed features like distributed backups, data encryption, and replicas. This release brings the company closer to its 2.0 release at the end of summer, where the YSQL API will become generally available. The YSQL API is a PostgreSQL-compatible, distributed SQL API that allows developers to build distributed SQL applications on top of YugabyteDB. Key features in this release include support for enabling DO statements, allowing SELECT from sequences, and adding support for setval(). The company also highlights new documentation, blogs, tutorials, and videos, as well as an open call for contributors. Additionally, YugabyteDB is hiring and will be attending several conferences and meetups over the next few months.