add release notes (#2697)

RELEASE_NOTES.md

@@ -1,29 +1,29 @@
-<!--
-  A release notes template that should be adapted for every release
-    - release: <v*.*.*>
-    - release branch: <v*.x>
-    - the last release: <v-last> 
-    - the last release branch: <v-last.x>
--->
-
-# Gaia <v*.*.*>  Release Notes 
+# Gaia v12.0.0  Release Notes 
 
 ## 📝 Changelog
 
-Check out the [changelog](https://github.com/cosmos/gaia/blob/<v*.*.*>/CHANGELOG.md) for a list of relevant changes or [compare all changes](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/compare/release/<v-last>...<v*.*.*>) from last release.
-
-<!-- Add the following line for major releases -->
-Refer to the [upgrading guide](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/blob/release/<v*.x>/UPGRADING.md) when migrating from `<v-last.x>` to `<v*.x>`.
+Check out the [changelog](https://github.com/cosmos/gaia/blob/v12.0.0/CHANGELOG.md) for a list of relevant changes or [compare all changes](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/compare/v11.0.0...v12.0.0) from last release.
 
 ## 🚀 Highlights
 
 <!-- Add any highlights of this release -->
 
+- Add Liquid Staking Module (LSM)
+
+## ❤️ Contributors
+
+* Binary Builders ([@binary_builders](https://twitter.com/binary_builders))
+* Informal Systems ([@informalinc](https://twitter.com/informalinc))
+* Stride ([@stride_zone](https://twitter.com/stride_zone))
+
+This list is non-exhaustive and ordered alphabetically.  
+Thank you to everyone who contributed to this release!
+
 ## 🔨 Build from source
 
 ```bash
 git clone https://github.com/cosmos/gaia
-cd gaia && git checkout <v*.*.*>
+cd gaia && git checkout v12.0.0
 make install
 ```