diff --git a/c2pa-native-version.txt b/c2pa-native-version.txt
index e3872c6..6b7a4e9 100644
--- a/c2pa-native-version.txt
+++ b/c2pa-native-version.txt
@@ -1 +1 @@
-c2pa-v0.73.2
+c2pa-v0.74.0
diff --git a/tests/test_unit_tests.py b/tests/test_unit_tests.py
index 75b3fee..d2cd24a 100644
--- a/tests/test_unit_tests.py
+++ b/tests/test_unit_tests.py
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def load_test_settings_json():
 
 class TestC2paSdk(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_sdk_version(self):
-        self.assertIn("0.73.2", sdk_version())
+        self.assertIn("0.74.0", sdk_version())
 
 
 class TestReader(unittest.TestCase):
@@ -2384,12 +2384,13 @@ def test_builder_sign_with_ingredients_edit_intent(self):
         builder.close()
 
     def test_builder_sign_with_setting_no_thumbnail_and_ingredient(self):
-        builder = Builder.from_json(self.manifestDefinition)
-        assert builder._builder is not None
-
         # The following removes the manifest's thumbnail
+        # Settings should be loaded before the builder is created
         load_settings('{"builder": { "thumbnail": {"enabled": false}}}')
 
+        builder = Builder.from_json(self.manifestDefinition)
+        assert builder._builder is not None
+
         # Test adding ingredient
         ingredient_json = '{ "title": "Test Ingredient" }'
         with open(self.testPath3, 'rb') as f:
@@ -2431,12 +2432,12 @@ def test_builder_sign_with_setting_no_thumbnail_and_ingredient(self):
         load_settings('{"builder": { "thumbnail": {"enabled": true}}}')
 
     def test_builder_sign_with_settingdict_no_thumbnail_and_ingredient(self):
-        builder = Builder.from_json(self.manifestDefinition)
-        assert builder._builder is not None
-
         # The following removes the manifest's thumbnail - using dict instead of string
         load_settings({"builder": {"thumbnail": {"enabled": False}}})
 
+        builder = Builder.from_json(self.manifestDefinition)
+        assert builder._builder is not None
+
         # Test adding ingredient
         ingredient_json = '{ "title": "Test Ingredient" }'
         with open(self.testPath3, 'rb') as f:
@@ -2709,8 +2710,11 @@ def test_builder_set_remote_url(self):
 
     def test_builder_set_remote_url_no_embed(self):
         """Test setting the remote url of a builder with no embed flag."""
-        builder = Builder.from_json(self.manifestDefinition)
+
+        # Settings need to be loaded before the builder is created
         load_settings(r'{"verify": { "remote_manifest_fetch": false} }')
+
+        builder = Builder.from_json(self.manifestDefinition)
         builder.set_no_embed()
         builder.set_remote_url("http://this_does_not_exist/foo.jpg")
 
@@ -4394,6 +4398,7 @@ def test_read_ingredient_file_who_has_no_manifest(self):
         temp_data_dir = os.path.join(self.data_dir, "temp_data")
         os.makedirs(temp_data_dir, exist_ok=True)
 
+        # Load settings first, before they need to be used
         load_settings('{"builder": { "thumbnail": {"enabled": false}}}')
 
         ingredient_json_with_dir = read_ingredient_file(self.testPath2, temp_data_dir)